“I’m Not Big on Housework”: Marguerite Ford Has Great Reasons for Supporting Her Community
Marguerite Ford is widely known as a generous, intelligent and community-minded woman. We are honoured she has been a YWCA donor for more than three decades, and we are grateful that she is a Legacy Circle member, so that her deep commitment to supporting women and families extends beyond her lifetime with a bequest in her will.
Marguerite’s interest in women’s rights led her to first engage with YWCA Crabtree Corner in the 1980s. She was instrumental in assisting YWCA’s then-CEO, Lois Hollstedt, and the City of Vancouver’s Social Planning department, to develop our child care program in the Downtown Eastside. She was an early advocate in recognizing the need for programs and services that support mothers and children, and her interest in transition housing helped bring awareness to YWCA housing communities.
When asked why she chooses to support the YWCA’s work, she said, “I don’t know of any organization that does so much in so many different ways.” It is high praise from a woman who herself has accomplished so much in many different areas. Marguerite served on Vancouver City Council for 10 years where she advocated for health care and housing; was Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society; and worked as a Citizenship Judge with an administrative tribunal within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. For her service, Marguerite received the Order of Canada in 1993 and the Order of British Columbia in 1997.
Marguerite is also a lifelong volunteer for a long list of organizations. When asked what motivates her to dedicate her time in this way, her response was: “It’s something I can do. I’m not big on housework.”
We are so grateful that Marguerite supports the YWCA with her sharp humour and huge heart.
Banner photo: Marguerite Ford, photo by Sydney Bryce
To join Marguerite in the Legacy Circle and support the critical work of YWCA Metro Vancouver in your estate planning, please reach out to Adriane King at aking@ywcavan.org |604 895 5864, JoAnne Fahr at jfahr@ywcavan.org | 604 895 5829 or Shantal Cashman at scashman@ywcavan.org | 604 895 5859.
