GUELPH – The recipients of the 2022 Luella Logan scholarship and award were announced by Wellington County Warden Kelly Linton at the Oct. 27 county council meeting.
The scholarship went to Rachel Smith, of Centre Wellington, while former Eramosa Township council member Betty Lou Clark received the Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics.
This is the fourth year the award and scholarship have been presented.
Both are funded through a donation to the county from longtime Palmerston area resident Robert Logan in recognition of his late wife, Luella “Lou” Logan, the first female councillor to sit on Wellington County council.
“Luella Logan contributed so much to the county during her political career,” said Linton.
“This annual award is a wonderful way to honour her legacy.”
The scholarship grants $1,500 annually to a young woman pursuing post-secondary studies in political science, public administration, or a related undergraduate or graduate degree at a Canadian college or university.
Selection of the scholarship recipient is based on academic excellence and demonstration of leadership and interest in local government.
“On behalf of county council I would like to congratulate Ms. Smith on receiving the 2022 Luella Logan Scholarship,” Linton stated.
“Ms Smith already has an impressive political resumé and we all look forward to her future political contributions.”
Smith is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in criminology and specialization in legal studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
The Woman in Politics award is presented to a retired female politician who has shown outstanding service in local politics with Wellington County or one of the county’s member municipalities.
On behalf of council, Linton congratulated Clark, who served on council for the former Township of Eramosa from 1973 to 1974 and as deputy reeve from 1975-1976.
“In those days, deputy reeves sat on county council,” he said.
“It was during her time with Wellington County council that Ms. Clark was introduced to and welcomed by the only other female councillor, Mrs. Louella Logan.”
The warden pointed out Clark was instrumental in forming an anti-pollution committee in Rockwood.
“After eight years of effort, an agreement was made to have the waste from Rockwood piped to the City of Guelph to be processed,” said Linton.
“Ms. Clark has remained an active member of our community, volunteering with many community organizations over the years.”
Clark gave credit to the council members in the room “for letting your name stand to contribute to your communities.
“I really feel that the municipal councils are so important because you deal with the everyday lives of people,” she stated.
“You provide fire service, libraries, sewage systems, clean water, all of the things that affect them intimately on a day-to-day basis.
“And that’s why I admire all of you and thank you for giving your time.”
The recipient of the Woman in Politics award receives $1,500 to allocate to the charity of her choice.
Clark elected to direct her donation to Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.
The community-based organization provides services to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking.
