First female mayor of London, Ont. Jane Bigelow has died
Condolences began pouring in Tuesday night as word spread that former mayor Jane Bigelow has died. She was 93.
A trailblazing politician, holding the position from 1972 to 1978, Bigelow was the first woman to serve as London’s mayor. She then served on the Board of Control until the early 1980s.
In a tweet, current London Mayor Ed Holder said, "What a loss, and, yet, what an inspiration she was, and will forever remain. Jane’s legacy lives on - from paving the way for greater diversity in local politics to her passion for the environment. We mourn her loss, and thank her family for sharing her brilliance with Londoners."
London’s third female mayor, Anne Marie Decicco-Best, is also paying tribute to its first, saying Bigelow pushed to change the fabric of the Forest City.
“Being a woman and being the first female mayor of London is very significant, but it wasn’t about that for her. She cared about the environment, she cared about the people, she cared about the social fabric of the community.”
Bigelow entered municipal politics in a time men fully dominated City Hall.
But while most are reflecting on Bigelow’s distinction as the city’s first female mayor, Decicco-Best says Bigelow should be honoured for much more.
An avid cyclist, she was a strong advocate for the environment and pushed to promote bicycle trails.
She also was among a group of politicians who killed London’s planned freeway early in her first term.
In a 2019 interview with CTV News London, Bigelow conceded, in hindsight, the freeway “might not have been quite as disastrous” as she thought at the time.
Bigelow also made waves in 1973, breaking protocol by not wearing a hat while meeting with Queen Elizabeth in Victoria Park.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.