Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Jean Gertrude "True" Davidson (1901-1978)

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2009

Photo Source - Wikipedia

On Roosevelt Road, in a park named after her, behind the S. Walter Stewart Branch of the Toronto Public Library, is this plaque erected by the East York Historical Society with assistance from the East York Foundation, CFUW Leaside - East York and the City of Toronto. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.692160 -79.330401

Jean Gertrude Davidson, known throughout her life as True, moved to East York in 1947, where she became actively involved in her new community. Her energetic and enthusiastic support for enriched educational programming led to her election to the East York Board of Education in 1948, followed, in 1952, by her election as its first female Chair. In 1958 she joined the East York Township Council and was elected its first female Reeve in 1960. In 1967 she led a spirited and successful defense against amalgamation into Toronto. East York was instead merged with Leaside to form the new Borough of East York and elected her as its first Mayor. Her term in office was marked by the belief that a community's quality of life was created by the activities of its citizens, rather then buildings and public works alone. Her philosophy was shown in her ability to inspire and attract intelligent and dedicated people to serve their community, both on municipal boards and committees. A firm believer in the promotion and preservation of community culture and heritage, she founded and served as first Director of the East York Foundation and through that body created the Todmorden Mills museum as a community sponsored Centennial project in 1967. In 1969, during her final term on Council, she was elected by her peers as President of the Association of Mayors and Reeves of Ontario. True was a founding member of the Canadian Federation of University Women; she received honorary degrees from the University of Toronto and York University; was awarded the Order of Canada and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. However, her favorite title (given to her by the Toronto media) was that of "grandmother of East York".

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