Mary Campbell
587, 589, 591 Talbot Street, London, Ontario N6A 2T2,
Telephone: 519-438-8941
Email: mchcoop@execulink.com
Growing up in the dust-bowl of the 1930's, Mary
Campbell acutely observed the loss of dignity of working people, felt
their suffering and heard their frustrations, and wanted to change
society to build a better world for people. The mid-century
presented many issues and causes - the right to organize, the peace
movement, the feminist movement, worker's culture, and technological
change.
Her response was personal and thoughtful. She
was a trade union women's auxiliary organizer, newspaper editor, strike
support organizer, youth organizer, and federal candidate. She
attempted to organize her fellow workers, and established a food
co-operative.
She welcomed the Americans evading the draft.
She advised young working mothers. She lovingly raised five
children. Her experience confirmed that people sought change when
they realized their individual self-worth. Many learned this
message, and, for them, became a wise teacher.
...........
In the fall of 1982, the
common goal of developing a housing co-operative in downtown London
began with the incorporation of the Central London Housing Co-operative
Inc. In February 1984, members voted in favour of changing the
name to Mary Campbell Housing Co-operative Inc., in honour of the
well-known feminist and social activist who had died the previous year.
In May of 1983, the Co-op purchased the Cleve Court
apartments, located at Central & Talbot Streets in downtown
London. With approval by Ottawa in December 21, 1983,
construction began in 1984 with three of the Cleve Court buildings torn
down to make way for a new “Talbot” seven-story high-rise. with the
remaining two buildings, renamed "Lichfield" and "Old Kent" under
renovation.
On June 22, 1984, the first Mary Campbell Housing
Co-operative model suite was celebrated and shortly thereafter, the
first members moved in.
Thus was born the Mary Campbell Housing Co-op.
