The Lotus Centre
Memories of Truro police o cer Catherine Campbell and Tanya Brooks are honoured
The local women’s resource centre has undergone several changes, both in name and in their facility’s makeup.
e Central Nova Women’s Resource Centre is expected to formally become e Lotus Centre in October.
e new name was made public during a ceremony at the centre on Monday. e day’s events also included dedicating the new Women’s Memorial Gazebo to the life of Const. Catherine Campbell, and a dedication of a red dress in memory of Tanya Brooks.
“ ere will be a special resolution meeting on Oct. 15, at 5 p.m., to formally change the name to e Lotus Centre,” said Tracey Dorrington-skinner, the centre’s executive director, noting the life of a lotus ower is a story of resilience.
Heidi Patterson, who worked at the centre on a term position, was the gazebo project manager.
“After working at the centre and becoming more aware of the needs of the women of our community, it became clear to me that we were missing a link in the spirit of providing resources,” she said.
She wanted to see an outdoor
space where women could go to read, write, paint, chat, or be alone.
“It’s in honour of Catherine Campbell, and all the women who have tragically lost their lives,” she said.
Campbell, a 36-year-old Truro police o cer who lived in Halifax, died on Sept. 11, 2015. Christopher Garnier, who she met at a Halifax bar, was convicted of second-degree murder in the case in December 2017.
Truro Police Chief Dave MacNeil said he couldn’t think of a better tribute to Catherine than the gazebo.
Susan Campbell, Catherine’s mother, thanked everyone involved in having a gazebo placed at the centre, and everyone who does an act of kindness in her daughter’s memory.
A replica of a red dress, dedicated to the memory of Tanya Brooks, was placed in the gazebo.
e Mi’kmaq woman was living in Halifax when she died. Her body was found in a window well of St. Patrick’s-alexandra School on May 11, 2009.
“One thing I’ve learned from this process is that murder doesn’t know race,” said Margaret Brooks, Tanya Brooks’ sister. “It doesn’t know colour, and one murder is not more important or less important.”
She said Catherine and Tanya were di erent when it came to profession, or lack of profession, but both women shared a kindness for others – and she urged people to be kind.
“Kindness doesn’t’ cost a thing. It doesn’t hurt and it’s rewarding in its own way.”