Ganley to receive the YMCA Peace Medal
YMCA Peace Week begins Sunday with workshop
Humanitarian Rosemary Ganley is this year’s YMCA’s peace medallion recipient.
The educator, activist and feminist will be honoured at a ceremony at the YMCA of Central East Ontario’s Balsillie Family Branch at 123 Aylmer St. S. on Nov. 23 at 9 a.m.
The event is part of YMCA Peace Week, which invites people to reflect on peace and take action to achieve it.
Peace Week runs from Sunday until Nov. 24.
The ceremony is open to the public and free to attend.
Ganley and her late husband, John Ganley, founded Jamaica Self-Help, a charitable organization supporting citizens of Jamaica.
The Peterborough resident has represented Canada at the United Nations Conference on Women on two occasions.
She also recently served on the G7 council on gender equality issues.
Ganley is a regular columnist in the Peterborough Examiner, where she highlights the beauty of the community.
Previous Peace Medals recipients includes Gord and Heather Rodin with Hope Grows, Margaret Slavin, Janet McCue, Goodith Heeney, Charmaine Magumbe, Mickey Renders and Jean Koning.
The Peace Medal was established in 1987 by a small group of volunteers and staff at the YMCA of Fredericton.
It recognizes the achievements of those who — without any special resources, status, or wealth — demonstrate values of peace through contributions made within their local, national or global community.
The medals are presents at YMCA’s across Canada during Peace Week.
The local YMCA held its first Peace Medal ceremony in 1993. Since then, its honoured 25 people/groups in the community.
Several other events will be taking place during Peace Week, including a daily challenge, workshop, yoga, and a planting of peace seeds.
A daily challenge on how to act for peace will be posted on the YMCA’s social media throughout the week. Follow @YMCA_of_Ptbo on Twitter or at YMCAofCEO on Facebook to take part.
The Peterborough Peace Council fall meeting and de-escalation workshop is happening Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Yoga for inner peace is listed on the YMCA’s drop-in schedule, along with all yoga classes.
To plant a seed of peace, stop by the YMCA’s communication board near the front entrance. Visitors can plant a seed of peace or take one, if needed. The event was created through a collaboration with Creating Space Community Arts Studio.
The YMCA will also be showcasing 150 acts of reconciliation. There’ll be actions on display that people can incorporate into their lives.