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OFL NEWS OFL STALWART RETIRES AFTER 46 YEARS If is almost the end of an era; just a few years short of 50 years of service, OFL Director of Administration, Elizabeth Smith-Vanbeek, has decided to start a new chapter as a retiree and volunteer at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. There is only one thing at the OFL that has been there longer than Elizabeth, and that is the building itself. Overlooking Toronto’s lush Don Valley, the OFL building has sat like a sentinel at 15 Gervais Dive since May 1, 1968. A little over 18 months later, an 18-year-old Elizabeth Smith started working in the mailroom. Over the intervening years, Elizabeth worked her way up through the ranks to achieve the Federation’s most senior staff position. Graduating from the mailroom to become a secretary, she would eventually become the Secretary-Bookkeeper, where she headed up the OFL accounting department for 14 years prior to becoming Director of Administration. “Elizabeth’s commitment and loyalty to our movement is rare indeed. She has devoted 46 years of her life to the working people of Ontario, but she has occupied positions that rarely gave her public recognition,” said OFL President Chris Buckley. “The OFL has always been more than a job to her; she is deeply invested in union values and social justice.” Over her career, Elizabeth witnessed some radical transformation within the labour movement, as it shifted from a male-dominated private sector unions into the public sector. The movement was forced to adjust with the times. “It was an incredible time to be a woman trade unionist. One of my proudest moments was when the OFL first created five affirmative action seats for women on the Executive Board,” reflected Smith-Vanbeek. “I knew that we were blazing the way for significant change, and the women in our movement have never looked back.” What little personal time Elizabeth had outside of the OFL, she donated to her staff union, OPEIU 343, and the Ontario NDP. She served as the Southwestern Ontario Organizer for Bob Rae’s leadership campaign and, after he won in 1982, she accepted an 18-month secondment to the party’s fundraising department. “Elizabeth has dedicated half a lifetime to our movement and to our party. That is an incredible contribution,” said Ethel Birkett-LaValley, retired OFL Secretary-Treasurer (1995-2005). “While Elizabeth’s physical filing system wasn’t always the tidiest, her mental filing system was second to none. She stored vast amounts of information and historical records in her head and her wealth of knowledge will not be easily replaced.” It wasn’t until the OFL had elected its first female officer, Julie Davis, that Elizabeth ascended to the position she has held for the last 24 years. During her career, she worked under 22 officers, including six OFL presidents. “Elizabeth has put a phenomenal effort in the OFL. In convention years, hers was the light that was always on, no matter what time of the day or night,” said Pearl Sawyer, President, UFCW 1000A and the OFL’s most senior Executive Board Member. “Elizabeth has served the OFL through many changes, but she has been the one constant through thick and thin. Through it all, she maintained genuine friendships that transcended politics.” Elizabeth’s dedication and loyalty to our movement is rare indeed. She devoted 46 years of her life to the working people of Ontario, but she occupied positions that rarely gave her public recognition. - OFL Pesident Chris Buckley Elizabeth has served the OFL through many changes, but she has been the one constant through thick and thin. Through it all, she maintained genuine friendships that transcended politics. - Pearl Sawyer, President of UFCW 1000A OFL ACTION REPORT OFL Director of Administratrion Elizabeth SmithVanbeek is set to retire at the end of April. 19 PHOTO: JOEL DUFF