Outside the Social services organization, Intersect Youth & Family Services Society resides on a bench the statue of the social worker, activist, and author Bridget Moran (1923-1999).
Moran’s sculpture depicts her sitting on one side of a bench. Her left hand rests on the bench’s back while her body is in a listening position, faces the vacant seat, looks directly at the visitor, and welcomes them to join her. Her right hand holds the book she wrote: Stoney Creek Woman.
There is a community tradition to dress her statue according to the season.
A nearby plaque tells her life story and contribution to Prince George and provides information about the statue.
It reads:
“Bridget Moran
1923 – 1999
Social worker, activist, and author who worked tirelessly to support families in our region
Bridget Moran was born in Northern Ireland and moved to Success, Saskatchewan with her family as a child.
She served in the Woman’s Royal Canadian Naval Service between 1944 and 1946. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 1950, moved to British Columbia in 1951, and began work as a social worker for the provincial social welfare department.
Bridget moved to Prince George in 1952 and, except for a brief stay in Vancouver, made her home here. From 1977 to 1989, she was a social worker with the Prince George School District. In addition, she worked as a freelance journalist, her work appearing frequently in Prince George newspapers, on CBC radio, and in the Vancouver Sun. She retired in 1989, shortly after having her first book “Stoney Creek Woman: the story of Mary John” published in 1988. She had three other books published including: “Judgment at Stoney Creek,” “A Little Rebellion” and “Justa: A First Nations Leader.” She also authored and self-published “Prince George Remembered,” in 1996.
In 1992, Bridget received the Governor General’s Medal commemorating Canada’s 125th anniversary as a Confederation. Bridget was awarded and received an honourary law degree from the University of Northern British Columbia, and in 1996 received another honourary law degree from the University of Victoria. In addition, Bridget was given the Jeanne Clarke History Award and awarded a medal for history by the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. She was a board member of the College of New Caledonia and the Legal Services Society of B.C. She was the mother of two daughters and two sons, and grandmother of five.
Special thanks to the City of Prince George, the staff of the College of New Caledonia, the family of Bridget Moran, the BC Association of Social Workers – Northern Branch, Donald S. and Kathleen M. Allan, Douglas Cunningham, Anne and Robert Martin, Arlette and Bilton Park, Paul and Hazel Ramsey, Don and Judy Kennedy, Terence Weninger, and the numerous other friends of Bridget Moran for their generous contributions.
This sculpture was created by artist Nathan Scott and unveiled on June 21st, 2004.
City of Prince George”
Blacklisted: The Bridget Moran Story
In 1964, a social worker from Prince George wrote a letter openly criticizing the government and its welfare system. Her brave actions got her fired, beginning a lifelong journey to stand up for truth, using her words as the catalyst for change.
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TELUS STORYHIVE supports compelling, original stories told by filmmakers from BC and Alberta by providing production funding, training and exposure to new audiences.
Find out more - http://www.storyhive.com/
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Blacklisted: The Bridget Moran Story
In 1964, a social worker from Prince George wrote a letter openly criticizing the government and its welfare system. Her brave actions got her fired, beginning a lifelong journey to stand up for truth, using her words as the catalyst for change.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELUS STORYHIVE supports compelling, original stories told by filmmakers from BC and Alberta by providing production funding, training and exposure to new audiences.
Find out more - http://www.storyhive.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with us:
STORYHIVE Twitter - https://twitter.com/storyhive
STORYHIVE Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/storyhive
STORYHIVE Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyhive/
This post is also available in:
Español