Muriel reading. Photo: Terre Nash
Sadly we just learned that our friend Muriel Duckworth, pioneering feminist and peace activist, passed away Saturday morning at the venerable age of 100. I say we, because many of my relatives and friends knew and admired Muriel, a tireless opponent of war and injustice in all forms. You can read a biography of Muriel below.
Muriel is also one of the main characters in the documentary I am making about the Raging Grannies, together with Muriel’s son Martin who is doing the camera work, Carole Roy, Minerva Gow, Étienne Gagnon and our producers at Island Film Works. The last time I saw Muriel was when we did our last shoot with her some five weeks ago, at the Magog hospital. She received a visit from another Raging Granny, Marguerite Bilodeau, who is a retired nurse in addition to being a singer and peace activist. In characteristic fashion, ever the good-humoured activist, Muriel repeated her mantra ‘War is stupid.’
Marguerite and Muriel – my photo
Last year, we filmed Muriel’s 100th birthday party in the Eastern Townships – only one of three parties. I don’t believe in documentary being purely observational, and I helped organize a contingent of Raging Grannies from several cities who sang a song about Muriel, written by Granny Barbara Seifred. The song was in two parts. It’s a worthy tribute to a remarkable woman.
[Tune: Sweet Betsy from Pike]
Imagine Muriel Duckworth 100 this year….!
An occasion for a rousing good cheer…
With a cake and bright candles and much love to share…
To show our dear Muriel how much we care.
Oh Muriel Duckworth is a dear friend of ours…
In th’ Peace activist firmament she’s recognized as a Star!
Living legend…national treasure….beyond measure…by far…
Muriel Duckworth is our brightest spark!
[Tune: Clementine A SONG FOR MURIEL]
Muriel Duckworth, dear Muriel Duckworth…
Raging Granny….Superfine!
Peace activist and living legend….
A gold standard for Womankind!
A humanitarian…sometimes contrarian….
A hell-raiser with the Raging Grans ….
She wouldn’t be part of the revolution
Unless….like Emma…..she could dance!
She’s a Living National Treasure….
An inspiration for our lifetime….
A Quaker…a Peace maker
And mischief-maker…by design!
A founding member of Voice of Women….
She’s by definition: a pacifist…..
And a pilgrim to Hiroshima….
True anti-nuclear activist….
Muriel has the Order of Canada….
An impressive list of…..honorary degrees…..
To that we’ll add our Happy Birthday….
And our song….in a heartbeat!
[Tune: Sweet Betsy]
To Muriel Duckworth…femme formidable!
We treasure you as a friend….vraiment inestimable…
So here’s our Happy Birthday…you know that it’s meant
With Good Health and Good Cheer….and much merriment
Muriel H. Duckworth (born October 31, 1908) is a Canadian pacifist, feminist and social and community activist. She is also a practising Quaker, a religious faith deeply committed to non-violence.
Duckworth was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Voice of Women, a provincial branch of the Voice of Women (VOW). She served as the National President of VOW, now called the Canadian Voice of Women for
Peace, from 1967 to 1971. She also helped establish the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, a coalition of about 100 Canadian organizations working for the elimination of poverty in Canada and around the world. Duckworth was among the first women in Nova Scotia to run for political office as a New Democratic Party candidate in Halifax during the provincial elections of 1974 and 1978. She was the 1991 recipient of the Pearson Medal of Peace for furthering the cause of international peace as well as the equality of women and men. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1983.
Thanks Magnus,
I appreciate reading your loving tribute. Can’t wait to see the film which will surely help to continue the work of this remarkable woman.
Une lumière vient de s’éteindre, mais une étoile est née dont le rayonnement éclairera toujours les femmes et les hommes de bonne volonté.
Au nom des Mémées Déchaînées et en mon nom, je veux présenter mes condoléances les plus sincères, d’abord à notre ami Martin, dont le coeur doit être bien doux aujourd’hui, ensuite à toi, Magnus qui était son grand ami et enfin à toutes les Raging Grannies, qui viennent de perdre une grande inspiratrice.
De tout coeur, Louise Édith Hébert.
P.S. S’il y a des cérémonies auxquelles nous pourrions assister, S.V.P. nous en faire part.
Hello Magnus,
A few weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Muriel Duckwork at the Magogg hospital where she was recuperating from a fractured hip. What impressed me the most was the energy and the alertness in that women’s eyes and heart. Holding her hands was a grace of love..the straight in the grasp of her hands was remarkable. She did sing with us also.What a wonderful journey of courage and strenght during her 100 years of peace-making! Bless her!
Thank you Muriel!
Muriel Duckworth was such a wonderful inspiration to all.
What a privilege to have met her on several occasions.
She was truly a National Treasure in her time, and now a treasured memory.
To all her family and her friends I send my sympathy. We share their loss.
Our best tribute will be to try to follow her spirit, her spark and her vision in working for Peace and Disarmament.
I look forward to the film that Magnus and Martin are making.
Barbara Seifred, in Vancouver
Hi from Winnipeg,
I recall seeing an inspirational film about Muriel Duckworth at a UNIFEM chapter meeting a few years ago here in Winnipeg.
Having heard good things about Raging Grannies from other activists, some of us older women have formed a small group.Our first “appearance” was at a World March for Women event on the steps on the Manitoba Legislature 2005.Recently we have been on the program at a Winnipeg Labour Choir event.
So sorry to hear about Muriel passing away! She is an example for all of us to keep on ragging.
Magnus, please give Martin my sympathies and a hug.
Clara