GUELPH – In 1994, Catherine Keleher became only the second woman ever to hold the seat of warden in the County of Wellington, and this year she was honoured for her contributions to politics with an award named for the county’s first female councillor.
Though Keleher could not make it for the award presentation, the Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics was officially announced at the Nov. 28 county council meeting, along with the 2024 Luella Logan Scholarship.
Keleher began her political career in 1982 when she was elected to sit on Palmerston council.
She later went on to serve on Wellington County council from 1986 to 1999, and was elected warden in 1994.
The Louella Logan award is funded by a donation the county received in her memory from her husband Robert Logan.
It is presented to a female politician who has shown outstanding service in local politics with the county or one of its member municipalities.
The recipient is given a donation of $1,500 to allocate to the charity of her choice.
Keleher, who now resides in Owen Sound, chose the Community Foundation of Grey-Bruce, which encourages endowment building and facilitates philanthropic partnerships within communities of Grey and Bruce counties.
The foundation supports Grey-Bruce residents through grants to community projects by non-profit organizations and scholarships, bursaries or awards to students.
“On behalf of county council, I would like to congratulate past warden Catherine Keleher on receiving the 2024 Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics Award,” stated Warden Andy Lennox.
“Luella Logan contributed so much to the county during her political career. This award is a wonderful way to honour her legacy.”
Scholarship
Council also announced that Eden McQueen is the 2024 recipient of the Luella Logan Scholarship, which provides $1,500 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 is based on academic excellence and demonstration of leadership and interest in local government.
McQueen is currently studying political science with a specialization in public law and judicial studies at McMaster University.
Lennox expressed his congratulations, saying, “Eden already has an impressive political resume and we all look forward to her future political contributions.”
