Take the time to remember on Heritage Day
A few years ago it was decided that the month of February in Nova Scotia would be blessed with its own statutory holiday.
Hence the 3rd Monday in February is now Nova Scotia Heritage Day. It is billed as “an annual reminder of our storied past and an opportunity to honour the remarkable people, places and events that have contributed to this province’s unique heritage.”
On this 3rd NS Heritage Day we are again encouraged to focus on the contributions of a remarkable woman.
Mona Louise Parsons, okay I heard you – “Who?” Born in Middleton, she was an actress, an educator, nurse, and member of an informal resistance network in the Netherlands from 1940 to 1941 during the Nazi occupation. She became the only Canadian female civilian to be imprisoned by the Nazis, and one of the first, and very few women, to be tried by a Nazi military tribunal in the Netherlands. She received commendations for her bravery in helping allied airmen evade capture from both Air Chief Marshal Lord Arthur Tedder of the Royal Air Force on behalf of the British people, and from General Dwight Eisenhower, expressing the gratitude of the American people.
However, growing up near where she spent her last years in Wolfville, she was never even on my radar, although I was and still am an avid history addict. She quietly retired to the location where she received her advanced education at, my alma mater, Acadia. She is remembered now for her courage in a time of war, but she is also remembered for her intellect, gentle kindness and thoughtfulness.
There are many women who in their way have positively contributed to past, our present and indeed by their actions our future. Since women in Nova Scotia were granted the vote in 1918, for the most part honours only reflect that time period moving forward. Like, Gladys Muriel Porter, who was the first woman in the Maritimes to be elected as mayor, and the first female Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Again I heard: “Who?”
There are so many remarkable people in our past who have made a difference. Many women, who because of societal constructs of the time, have been lost to history. My grandmother was a ‘ County Nurse.’ She delivered babies, saved lives, traveled house to house providing medical care in her community. I heard the stories, was told her life was a noble example, but her contributions are just memories. She passed in childbirth as she did not have anyone with her expertise at her side.
This Heritage Day, yes, let us remember Mona, but let us also take time to reflect on special people – men or women who have been lost to time. Let us remember Helen Robinson, who spent many years serving the people of Digby, let us be thankful for the Little Sisters of Mary, Sr. Bonnie and Barbara who have devoted their lives to ensuring those in need get a hand up. Let us look at our grandparents and say thank you!
Let us hope we can meet their dreams, hopes and expectations for us.