Toronto/CMEDIA: In recognition of Agnes Macphail‘s long standing commitment to community leadership and support for vulnerable residents in East York, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed March 24 Agnes Macphail Day in Toronto and presented Susan Scandiffio with the 2024 Agnes Macphail Award.
Established by the former borough of the East York Council in 1994, the Agnes Macphail Award pays tribute to Canada’s first female Member of Parliament and the first female sworn in as an Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament in the riding of York East.
The award recognizes residents in East York who have made outstanding contributions as a volunteer for causes that were important to Agnes Macphail, including women’s rights, seniors causes, the criminal justice system and penal reform, promoting peace and advocating for housing, healthcare and education.
This year’s award ceremony also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Borough of East York, which was incorporated on January 1, 1924, before amalgamation with the City of Toronto in 1998.
A preview of the special web exhibit by Toronto Archives to commemorate the milestone was shared at the event, which can be accessed in the coming weeks on the Toronto Archives webpage.
Scandiffio’s, volunteer work had a positive influence on several issues affecting local residents.
She was also instrumental in establishing the Thorncliffe Food Collaborative with service to more than 2,000 individuals in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.
Besides collecting food and toiletry donations on her own doorstep, she succeeded in getting community and corporate support.
Championing women’s needs, she worked on initiatives such as the Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign that donates purses with personal necessities to domestic violence shelters, women’s shelters, rape crisis centers and social services that support women.
As a passionate advocate for children, Scandiffio worked as a city liaison for the Remembering Georgia Walsh charitable organization to support a fundraising campaign that raised more than $1 million to renovate a local children’s playground.
She also was instrumental in providing Christmas gifts to more than 6,000 children in the Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods by collecting more than $400,000 in toys and in-kind support for the Leaside Community Toy Drive.
More information on the Agnes Macphail Award and a full profile of the 2024 Award recipient is available on the City of Toronto’s Awards webpage.
