Eighteen-year regional council veteran recognized as Waterloo’s senior of year
Former trustee Jane Mitchell, 69, has supported women running for office, founded a daycare
About two weeks ago, Jane Mitchell was caught by surprise with a phone call from Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky, telling her she had been named the city’s senior of the year.
The 69-year-old Waterloo resident has worked for much of her life on social issues, but is most proud of founding the Women’s Municipal Campaign School and the Waterloo Infant Toddler Daycare.
“I didn’t expect to get any award for all the stuff I do,” said the former Waterloo Region District School Board trustee, who served as a regional councillor for 18 years.
“I didn’t do it to get appreciated, but it’s very kind of them to give me the award.”
Since 2005, the women’s campaign school has supported, encouraged and mentored women who may be interested in running for office.
Her work starting both the school and the daycare came because she saw a need in the community that she wanted to address, she said.
This isn’t the first time Mitchell’s contributions have been recognized.
She’s an honorary member of Renison College, was named a Woman of Achievement by Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, and has been recognized for 10 years volunteering with House of Friendship.
Mitchell, who is now retired, is also chair of the Lakeshore South Community Association.
She has also worked in climate action, as former chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority and a supporter of the Ion rail transit.
In 2019, Mitchell came out of retirement for a year to serve as executive director for HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre, which provides free services for people with cancer and their caregivers.
With a love for reading and writing, the former librarian at Renison University College started Reading Tents for Literacy, helped develop Little Libraries in Sunnydale and served on Waterloo Public Library’s board of trustees.
Despite Mitchell’s long list of accomplishments, she said this award is not just about her.
She wants the people around her who helped build different services in the region and address community issues to be recognized too.
The city will present the award at a date still to be determined.