Shirley Douglas, born on April 2nd, 1934, from Saskatchewan left her mark as an actress and passionate activist. She showed an early interest in the arts and politics as she joined the campaign trail with her father Tommy Douglas.
She attended the Banff School of Fine Arts and went to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England
She was a strong activist who was very passionate about social justice; defending public health care, supporting the civil rights movement, and opposing the Vietnam War. She went on to create a fundraising group called Friends of the Black Panthers and co-founded the first chapter in Canada of the Performing Artists for Nuclear Disarmament.
Douglas went on to win a Gemini Award for her stunning performance in the 1999 TV film, Shadow Lake. Her other screen credits included the film Nellie McClung, which she played the role of the Canadian activist.
She was also an Officer of the Order of Canada. Douglas spent a lot of her time defending medicare. She spoke to the important role universal health played in our society at several events and became a national spokesperson for the Canada Health Coalition.
Shirley was the Matron of the DCLF and a true champion of the people.
Watch her moving tribute below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsF_mJvYzPs
Bibliography
“Actress Shirley Douglas Dead at 86 | CBC News.” CBCnews, 5 Apr. 2020, www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/shirley-douglas-dies-at-86-1.5522758.
