Kate Morrison's Story
Kate Morrison's Story
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From humble beginnings on a PEI farm to a career in public service to the fight of her life against Multiple Sclerosis, Kate Morrison's story is both inspiring and heart-breaking.
From humble beginnings on a PEI farm to a career in public service to the fight of her life against Multiple Sclerosis, Kate Morrison's story is both inspiring and heart-breaking.
Kate was born in Hebron, Prince Edward Island, to a farming family in 1952. Her parents were avid consumers of news and current affairs, and active in local politics. After high school, Kate moved to the Yukon, and later the interior of British Columbia, where she spent several years working as a secretary and hiking in the mountains.
Kate was born in Hebron, Prince Edward Island, to a farming family in 1952. Her parents were avid consumers of news and current affairs, and active in local politics. After high school, Kate moved to the Yukon, and later the interior of British Columbia, where she spent several years working as a secretary and hiking in the mountains.
Kate then returned to school at the University of Victoria, where she obtained a bachelor's and a master's degree in social work. As a social worker in Vancouver, Kate witnessed the harsh effects of social and economic inequality first-hand.
Kate then returned to school at the University of Victoria, where she obtained a bachelor's and a master's degree in social work. As a social worker in Vancouver, Kate witnessed the harsh effects of social and economic inequality first-hand.
Alarmed at the role played by the justice system in perpetuating that inequality, Kate decided to pursue a law degree from the University of British Columbia. Throughout her studies, she remained active in local and federal politics, volunteering with the Dalhousie Legal Aid Centre, and working on Alexa McDonough’s election campaign.
Alarmed at the role played by the justice system in perpetuating that inequality, Kate decided to pursue a law degree from the University of British Columbia. Throughout her studies, she remained active in local and federal politics, volunteering with the Dalhousie Legal Aid Centre, and working on Alexa McDonough’s election campaign.
Upon graduation, Kate returned to the East Coast to practice law at Paterson Kitz in Halifax.
Upon graduation, Kate returned to the East Coast to practice law at Paterson Kitz in Halifax.
After several years in Halifax, Kate moved with her husband to St. John's, where they settled and raised their son. From serving as legislative council at the House of Assembly to working with Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid, Kate continued practicing law and advocating for social justice by championing the efforts of Amnesty International, World Vision and others.
After several years in Halifax, Kate moved with her husband to St. John's, where they settled and raised their son. From serving as legislative council at the House of Assembly to working with Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid, Kate continued practicing law and advocating for social justice by championing the efforts of Amnesty International, World Vision and others.
Kate was continuing her tireless work when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was forced into early retirement, and ultimately was unable to work.
Kate was continuing her tireless work when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was forced into early retirement, and ultimately was unable to work.
Despite her limited mobility , Kate continued to support progressive public policies, charitable organizations and social justice.
Despite her limited mobility , Kate continued to support progressive public policies, charitable organizations and social justice.
After battling MS for over 15 years, Kate was diagnosed with a type of dementia, and was sadly unable to continue her support for social and political change.
After battling MS for over 15 years, Kate was diagnosed with a type of dementia, and was sadly unable to continue her support for social and political change.
Kate's son Benjamin established the Kathryn M. Morrison Scholarship in Political Studies to honour her selfless achievements, and to inspire a new generation of students to continue her meaningful work.
Kate's son Benjamin established the Kathryn M. Morrison Scholarship in Political Studies to honour her selfless achievements, and to inspire a new generation of students to continue her meaningful work.
In December of 2020, Kate was named a Human Rights Champion by the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission at a virtual ceremony hosted by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judy Foote.
In December of 2020, Kate was named a Human Rights Champion by the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission at a virtual ceremony hosted by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judy Foote.
Sadly, Kate passed peacefully away in St. John's in January of 2021. You can read Kate's obituary here.
Sadly, Kate passed peacefully away in St. John's in January of 2021. You can read Kate's obituary here.
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