The award was established by the Board of CPC Ontario Division in 2000 to honour the memory of Jean Woodsworth, who died in 1995 at the age of 82, for her lifetime commitment and action on social issues as well as for her feistiness in overcoming social barriers, such as the YMCA's refusal, in the 1930s, to employ married women. Jean was a social worker, director of day care services, and a founder of the Immigrant Women's Job Placement Centre. She became involved in seniors' issues in the mid-1980s and in typical fashion became very active, serving on the Executive and as President of CPC for many years.

The Award is given for prolonged distinguished service to the community.

Until recently, Dick Moore was Program Coordinator at the 519 Church St. Community Centre. In this position he was responsible for developing a program for older gay, lesbian bi-sexual and trans-gendered (GLBT) people which included needs assessments, outreach, promotion, program delivery, liaison with gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans-gendered, trans-sexual, inter-sexed, and queer (GLBTTIQ) people and mainstream agencies. He developed a Senior Pride Network and made successful grant applications to new sources of funding thus raising the profile of older GLBTTTIQ people and their issues within the GLBTTIQ and mainstream communities. Also he consulted with and trained personnel in the long-term care sector about accessibility and awareness of older GLBTTIQ issues and concerns. The GLBT became known as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gendered, trans-sexual (LGBTT) and Dick launched a major annual conference for these seniors and for service providers.

I know it's because of Dick that I, and many others who are attending this AGM today, have come to know the concerns of these groups. The first time it was really brought home to me how wide-spread and deeply felt the issues were, was at a conference of the Senior Pride Network. What I heard appalled and saddened me, such as the admission "feeling like I have to go back into the closet". Imagining having to deny who you are to feel safe when receiving care services, made me realize just how much work was still to be done. I was reminded of the times forty years ago when many of these same people were facing risks in a homophobic society by "coming out". Identifying themselves as homosexual was not safe and people risked loss of family and work, suffered derisive comments and risked personal safety on the street.

I had hoped that the many hours, studies and dollars spent on diversity training would have made more impact. After all these years to hear people say that to feel safe to receive services they may have to "go back Into the closet" really points to the importance of the work that Dick has been doing. Change doesn't happen overnight but comes about because of the persistent work of drawing attention to the issues, helping people to realize that homophobia still exists and how to make the changes necessary for the well-being of all.

Dick, you have reached many individuals and organizations to raise the awareness of the need for change. I know that because of you many of us in the seniors' organizations can and do speak up about the accessibility issues of those who identify as LGBTTTQ.

On behalf of the Ontario Division of Canadian Pensioners Concerned, I have great pleasure in presenting this year's Woodsworth Award and a year's honorary membership in CPC to Dick Moore.