Dr. Ellen McLean, Leadership

Dr. Ellen McLean’s story began in Geneva, Switzerland, where she worked in the United Nations library. She acquired a fiancee on her way home to Canada, and subsequently took Pictou County by storm with her work to advance the issues of agriculture, rural churches, third world countries, and especially women. Her long and interesting leadership career has taken her around the world.

Dr. McLean has served as a municipal councillor, in leadership and service to her community. Her work over several decades for the Pictou County Council of Churches included participation in a national study of the challenges concerning rural churches. She also served as a board member of the Pictou County School Board, and has advised the Canadian Broadcasting Company on agricultural issues.

Most remarkably, however, Dr. Ellen McLean served on the Provincial Advisory Council for the Status of Women....in the 1960s. For some, advancing women’s issues in their heydey might have been satisfaction enough.

Dr. McLean, though, went on to be Provincial President of the Federated Women’s Institute of Canada. She worked with Women Helping Women in the developing world, contributing so much that a water project was named after her. And, most remarkable of all, Dr. McLean was World President of the Associated Country Women of the World for two terms. This role means she has travelled extensively in India and Africa.

Back home in Pictou County, Dr. McLean continues to share this experience even today, as a UNICEF educator, speaking to students of all ages about life in the developing world, using materials gained from her world travels. She maintained a role in a local school council until quite recently, and continues to be involved with the local Help Line, and Camp Geddie. Her volunteerism and community service earned her an Honourary Doctorate from St. Francis Xavier University.

Dr. McLean’s daughter said that her mom always told her; "It’s a job we all have to do. We all have to be involved." That sense of personal duty led to Dr. McLean being awarded the Order of Canada in 1980 . . . for her service to women’s causes and rural development in Canada.

Dr. McLean, for going far beyond merely "doing your job", and for demonstrating remarkable leadership at a local, provincial, national and world level, we are pleased to recognize you with this Remarkable Seniors’ Award for Leadership.

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