Wednesday, October 2, 2013

street signs - Henderson

In 1954, a 322-bed hospital on Concession Street on Hamilton Mountain was named after Nora Henderson. But more recently the name was changed, amid considerable controversy, to the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in recognition of major donations by Charles and Margaret Juravinski.

Nora Frances Henderson Circle surrounds the Juravinski Hospital.








It was a bitter battle between the city and the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society as can be seen in this report:

What was fought so hard for by one little woman on city council was wiped away with the flick of a pen by bureaucrats that grovelled at the feet of the well-heeled to secure funds needed to expand the aging facility.

The Hamilton Health Sciences board of directors relieved the Nora Frances Henderson Hospital of its name, enticed by the allure of gambling money flaunted by a wealthy donor.
After the HHS board refused to reconsider the matter, the heritage group asked the city to install commemorative street signs around the hospital in recognition of the first women elected to Hamilton City Council. Council thought it was "the least they could do". No one from the HHS attended the unveiling of the new street signs.

A strong supporter of health care and the rights of women and children, Nora Frances Henderson served 16 consecutive terms as an alderman and controller. She died in 1949, five years before the Henderson Hospital was built. 

You can read more about this feisty woman here                  Eighth in a series on street signs for signs,signs

22 comments:

  1. If nothing else, at least the controversy brought some more attention to this woman's achievements. Until this happened, I had no idea who the hospital had been named for.

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  2. There is that point (I also had no idea)

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  3. Replies
    1. and just yesterday we heard about Peter Munk's generous donation to TGH but at least the name of the hospital wasn't changed.

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  4. RedPat's comment has hit the nail on the head. So sad, so true.

    ~Lindy

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    1. the money was desperately needed for renovations and expansion and gratefully accepted

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  5. A hospital in Sioux Falls changed it's name four years ago when a local banker donated millions to them. It is a shame for the wealthy to be able to "buy" their honors replacing someone who deserves recognition.

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    1. these conditions of naming rights with donations is a bit irritating. it seems ti wipe out history every few years.

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  6. It is always the money that wins out. What a shame. genie

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    1. that's why they say money makes the world go round.

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  7. Fiery, Fearless and Feminine -- I love this Nora-Frances! I'm thinking the hospital's memorial to her doesn't quite do her justice. I also tried to find out about the scholarship wondering if it is for service, medicine, journalism .... At any rate, I'm glad to meet Nora-Frances Henderson. Thank you.

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  8. She was obviously quite a woman! I guess people maybe know more about her as a result of this controversy though. Sometimes I wonder about where names came from, but usually don't take time to find out. Still too bad that it had to be renamed because of money. But what else is new?

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    1. same here. but with google, it has become so much easier so I'm starting to make the effort :)

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  9. They say that from something bad can come something good. This situation seems to be a great example. I am sure there are more people now who will keep Nora Henderson's memory alive now that they know about her.

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  10. the signs tells more about her than the name "The Henderson Hospital" did, so let's hope so.

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  11. Great post and hope it works ~ Women need more recognition for what they do ~ carol ^_^

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    1. it's getting better, but there are still a lot of unrecognized women from the past.

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