Anita Ross Thompson

Anita Ross Thompson (1920-1996)

 

Anita was a strong member of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs since participating in the inaugural meeting of the Kirkland Lake Club in December 1949.  Anita, a Charter Member, was part of that Club since January 1950 when they held their first official meeting.

Anita Thompson was a retired broadcaster.  She started her broadcasting career in 1929 as part of a children’s show.  Anita was in radio broadcasting in Frederiction, Kingston and Kirkland Lake from 1947 until 1972 when she moved into television.  Anita was with Mid-Canada Television from 1972 to 1985 as an investigative reporter, talk show host, and political commentator.

She had always been involved and thoroughly involved in the political scene.  Having serve three terms on the Kirkland Lake Municipal Council, she was well qualified to do municipal affairs reporting for Mid-Canada Television since the 1972.

Anita did not just stick to municipal politics but her concern for her community extended to three years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Children’s Aid Society as the first women member of the Associated Commercial Travellers (ACT) and was a member of the Council of Regents for Huntington University.

Anita was the backbone of the Public Affairs Committee for BPW Sudbury which monitored municipal and regional council meetings.  She actively participated at membership meetings, and served on the Bernardine Yackman Award Committee as well as Business and Professional Women’s Week.  In April 1990, Rachel Proulx’s last official duty as President was to bestow Anita with a ‘Life Membership’ with BPW.

Dedication of Anita Thompson’s Seat at Council Chambers

Anita Thompson passed away on December 19^th, 1996.  Veronika Cox, a daughter of Current Affairs Committee member, Debra Souliere, suggested an innovative and entirely fitting way in which to honor Anita.  Veronika wrote to Chair Tom Davies with a proposal to dedicate Anita’s regular gallery chair as a tribute to her.  Anita was a retired journalist who was a regular at the City Council Chamber Gallery. 

On January 29, 1997 Chair Tom Davies, along with Mayor Jim Gordon, Chris Nash, representing BPW Sudbury and Veronika Cox, unveiled Anita’s chair.