The winner of the Grace Hartman Award, Lynn Chassé, dedicated her award “to the memory of all loved ones lost due to violence.”
Lynn Chassé, whose mother was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2000, is the driving force behind the annual Shoe Memorial held in Kamloops since 2008 .
She organized the Shoe Memorial to honour the memory of her mother and all women victims of violence.
Every pair of shoes donated for the event represents a woman who was killed. The shoes collected are donated to women shelters on December 6th – the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
“Our goal the first year was 100 pairs by the time Dec 6rolled around we were thrilled when we had collected over 450 pairs from our community. So far we have collected over 1,000 pairs of shoes.”
Holding a pair of red shoes in her hands, Chassé reminded the delegates at the National Convention that: “The symbolism is real and powerful. What do all women have? SHOES!”
“I also want to acknowledge my CUPE sisters who are working to make our society better by getting involved in causes such as child care rights, clean drinking water for First Nations and pay equity.”
Lynn Chassé is a payroll clerk for the municipality of Kamloops, a member of CUPE local 900, a Trustee and a member of her local’s women’s committee.
Created at the 1999 convention to celebrate the leadership role of CUPE national’s first woman president, the Grace Hartman award honours activism in the struggle for workers’ rights, equality and social justice.