Women of winter sports immortalized on stamps

On her way to helping Canada win two gold medals and a silver at the Winter Olympics, hockey star Danielle Goyette never dreamed that one day she would be immortalized on a stamp.

That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday when Canada Post unveiled five commemorative Women in Winter Sport stamps at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“I never, never thought in my life that one day I’m going to be on a stamp,” said Goyette, who racked up 113 goals and 105 assists in 171 international games with the Canadian women’s national hockey team during her impressive career.

“Even as a hockey player, you don’t think about what could happen later in life — you focus on what you do as an athlete. You want to be the best you can be.”

Also honoured with their own stamps were Sharon and Shirley Firth (cross-country skiing), Clara Hughes (cycling and speedskating), Sonja Gaudet (wheelchair curling) and Nancy Greene (alpine skiing).

“For women in sports and for Indigenous women, especially, I think it’s a very powerful statement and it’s a pleasure to share it with the country,” said Sharon Firth, who competed in four Winter Olympics for Canada along with her twin sister. “My twin will always be with me. We came from one egg, and that’s never ever going to go away.”

Shirley Firth, who died in 2013 at age 59, was represented at the unveiling by her husband, Jan Larsson, and daughters Marie and Nina Larsson.

The Firths also competed at four World Ski Championships and combined to win 48 national titles from the late-1960s to the mid-1980s.

“When I think of the recognition of the accomplishments, it’s two amazing Indigenous women and what precedent that sets to have them honoured and showcased in this way,” said Hughes, while adding she would have traded the success she had in both of her sports to become a cross-country skier.

“I’m just so happy to see those two beautiful faces (on the stamp) more than anything, and I’m also just in awe of cross-country skiing.”

Designed by Roy White, Matthew Clark and Jacquie Shaw of Subplot Design Inc., the stamps feature action photos of each of the athletes in the foreground and a candid shot with smiles on their faces in the background.

“Beauty and strength and celebrating the capacity and potential of women, that’s what all of these smiles and all of these action shots represent,” said Hughes, who is the only athlete in history to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. “I think it’s beautiful.” Gaudet, who has won three Paralympic gold medals and three World Wheelchair Curling Championships, found it tough to put into words what it meant to be honoured with her own stamp.

“Surreal comes to mind and incredibly humbling and incredibly honoured, absolutely,” she said. “I’m truly humbled and extremely grateful to have been chosen and included amongst these amazing women to share with them this incredible honour of Canadian pride. I will treasure mine forever.”

Greene also expressed how honoured she was to be included among such an amazing group of women.

Among the dignitaries on hand for the unveiling ceremony was Ken Read, who competed for Canada at two Winter Olympics in addition to winning five World Cup races during his 10-year alpine skiing career.

“Each one of them has had a remarkable impact on their individual sports, but also on the country at large and, in some cases, for a long time,” said Read, who added that Greene inspired him and his Canadian teammates.