Page 4 - DURHAM CITIZEN - JUNE 21ST 2021 - EDITION_Neat

4 DurhamCitizen.ca June 21, 2021

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S Series June 24
On Friday June 18, 2021, Ajax Series June 24
Council unveiled a new parkette,
created and named in honour of
Louise Johnson’s 100th birthday.
Located on Harwood Avenue and Second installment in series
the 401 (south of Birch Cres.), the discusses understanding racism
Louise Johnson Parkette features
pollinator-friendly flora species and anti-Black racism
planted by the Pickering Ajax The Ajax Anti-Black Racism Taskforce presents their second
Butterflyway Rangers, a new entry installment of the Diversity XChange Speaker Series featuring

sign and bench. guest speaker Dr. Joseph Smith, a researcher and educator who
T h e p a rke tte i s n a m e d i n will discuss racism and anti-Black racism. The free event will
accordance with the Town’s be live-streamed on June 24 at 2 p.m. Residents, businesses and
Commemorative Naming of local organizations can watch live and participate in the live Q
Municipal Parks and Buildings & A at facebook.com/myajax , facebook.com/AABRTF or
Policy. Louise is easily recognized “ ajax.ca/taskforce.
as an individual who has shown We are excited to honour a Council is thrilled to celebrate Questions can be submitted live during the session or in
exceptional character, and has woman that helped shape Louise’s 100th birthday by advance to diversity@ajax.ca.
made a significant community dedicating the Louise Johnson
contribution. the Ajax that we so proudly Parkette in her honour. "The Diversity XChange Speaker Series
Louise Johnson has lived in the represent. Louise has been Louise Johnson celebrates her is a great way to listen, learn and
Town of Ajax since it was home to actively involved in a wide 100th birthday on June 17, 2021. engage in the conversations that are
Defence Industries Limited (DIL), range of events, clubs, Ajax Council unanimously voted in important to our present and future.
the largest munitions plant in the organizations and favour of naming a parkette to The Ajax Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
British Commonwealth during celebrations in Ajax - honour Louise’s outstanding is focusing on topics that not only
World War II. Dubbed the ‘Bomb spanning almost eight history as an original Ajacian to highlight the work they are doing but
Girls’, the women war workers of decades. We are proud of mark this milestone birthday. also contribute towards a more
DIL supplied Allied Forces with Louise’s significant community inclusive Ajax for all.
shells throughout the war effort, the opportunity to contribution spans more than Join us from home on June 24 for
with countless made right here in celebrate this milestone s e ve n d e c a d e s , i n c l u d i n g another positive, interactive session.”
Ajax. with her, and want to thank involvement with the HMS Ajax
With her DIL days behind her, our dedicated Operations reunions, Pan-Am Games, Ajax - Mayor Shaun Collier, Town of Ajax
Louise (alongside her late husband team and the Pickering Ajax Garden Club, PROBUS and The five-part, online and interactive series aims to provide a
Russell) played an integral role in Butterflyway Rangers for Seniors’ Clubs, St. Paul’s United positive space to facilitate nuanced and thought-provoking
the development of the Town of their help making this Church – Ajax, and many more. discussions to help address and understand anti-Black,
Ajax; actively involved in clubs and surprise happen. Happy The Town’s Commemorative systemic and institutionalized racism while discussing
organizations that span multiple Naming of Municipal Parks and important social justice issues impacting our community. This
sectors including: education, 100th birthday, Louise!” Buildings Policy complements the series aims to provide a safe space for navigating important
recreation, history, faith, and Town’s street naming practices, conversations and provide a deeper knowledge and guidance to
community. – Ajax Council which primarily pay tribute to the the community on how to positively contribute to combatting
An Ajax Civic Award (1991) and men who served on the HMS Ajax, social injustice in our everyday lives.
Senior’s Award (2007) winner, Ajax HMS Achilles, and HMS Exeter.