GUELPH – The Luella Logan Scholarship and the Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics were officially launched at the May 23 Wellington County council meeting.
Councillor George Bridge announced the launch of the two $1,500 awards the county will present annually to honour Wellington County women in politics.
Both are funded by 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.
“We are so honoured to have received this generous gift from the Logan family,” said Warden Kelly Linton.
“Luella Logan contributed so much to Wellington County during her political career, and these awards are a wonderful way to honour her commitments and ensure that her legacy lives on in our communities.”
Bridge said, “Luella was an incredibly inspiring woman. She was first elected to Palmerston council in 1966, and succeeded at the polls in five consecutive elections in ten years. She served on many different committees and boards, and really helped pave the way for women in politics in Wellington County.”
The Luella Logan Scholarship will grant $1,500 annually to a young woman pursuing post-secondary studies in political science, public administration or related undergraduate or graduate degree at a Canadian college or university. Selection of the recipient will be based on academic excellence and demonstration of leadership and interest in local government.
The annual Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics will be presented to a retired female politician who has shown outstanding service in local politics with the County of Wellington or one of the county’s member municipalities. The recipient will receive a donation of $1,500 to allocate to the charity of her choice.
The 2019 award was presented to past warden and retired Wellington County councillor Lynda White.
Inaugural award – Former Wellington County warden and retired county councillor Lynda White was recognized on May 23 as the first recipient of the Luella Logan Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics. She directed the $1,500 donation that accompanies the award, created with funds donated by Luella’s husband Robert Logan, to the Get In Touch For Hutch mental health initiative. From left: Minto Mayor George Bridge, Wellington County Warden Kelly Linton, Robert Logan and White. Photo by Patrick Raftis
“I am so honored to be the very first recipient of the Lou Logan annual award,” said White. “I know that it will help young people in Wellington County to seriously consider serving their community through a career in political science or public administration.”
She added, “If I had known Lou personally, I’m sure we would have connected through our love of our communities and our love of the people that we serve. As the fifth female warden, and Lou as the very first female county councillor, we would definitely have had a connection.”
White announced her plans to donate the award to the Get In Touch For Hutch charity, which works to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness and provide resources to young adults that are suffering.
“There are a lot of worthwhile charities in Wellington County, but through my work on the police services board and social services, nothing stands out to me more than the issue of self-harm,” said White.
“Suicide accounts for 24 per cent of all deaths among 15- to 24-year-olds. In February 2013 this statistic became a reality for the family and friends of Steven Hutchinson after he took his life while in his dorm room in university,” said White.
“Steven’s passing came as a shock to all who knew him. Steven was not diagnosed with a mental illness and sadly no one, not even those close to him, knew how much he was struggling. He struggled in silence.”
She added that thanks to the Get In Touch For Hutch initiative launched by Steven’s family, “We look forward to a time when conversations relating to mental health are no longer held in silence, but part of our everyday conversations.”
For information on the Luella Logan Scholarship and Award visit www.wellington.ca.
