By Patrick Raftis
GUELPH – The County of Wellington is setting up a scholarship fund to encourage young women in politics and introducing an award to honour retired female politicians, thanks to a large donation from a county resident.
A donation of more than $150,000 has been presented to the county by Robert Logan of Palmerston in recognition of his wife Luella “Lou” Logan, the first female councillor to sit on Wellington County council, who passed away in her 88th year on Dec. 2, 2017.
Luella Logan obtained her seat on county council after being elected deputy reeve of Palmerston in 1973 and then reeve in 1975. She retired in 1978.
She was first elected to Palmerston council in 1966 and succeeded at the polls in five consecutive elections over 10 years.
Born in Markham Township in York County, Luella Wideman married school teacher and agricultural specialist Robert Logan in 1954.
The Logans raised four children: Wendy, Scott, Carolyn and Jennifer.
The donation will be used to create the Lou Logan Annual Scholarship Award, with $1,500 going to a student born in Wellington County, and currently enrolled in a political science, public administration or related undergrad or graduate program at a Canadian college or university.
Funds from the donation will also be used to create the Lou Logan Annual Award for Outstanding Service by a Woman in Politics, with a $1,500 donation made in honour of a past female councillor from Wellington County or a member municipality to a charity of their choice.
At Robert Logan’s request, the first award will go to recently-retired Wellington County councillor Lynda White.
Wellington County council, at its March 28 meeting, approved a recommendation from the administration, finance and human resources committee to use the donation to set up the scholarship and award.
Minto Mayor George Bridge called Logan “an amazing woman.
“We had lots of conversations before she passed away a couple of years back. Every time we got together we talked about politics,” Bridge recalled.
“I think it’s a great opportunity not only to try and recognize women that have been in politics and done a great job, but to try and encourage women in politics. We need the other gender.”
Wellington County council currently consists of 14 male and two female councillors. Councillor Chris White, who chairs the administration committee, said he was pleased with the selection of the first award recipient.
“I’m pleased to see that one of the first [recipients]of this is going to be Lynda White,” he stated.
“She was just an amazing politician who really cared about her community and did really good work.”
