Simma Milner Holt has probably packed more living into her lifetime, than most people pack into three.Born in Vegreville, Alberta, in 1922, to orthodox Jewish immigrant parents, Simma enjoyed a smalltown childhood largely free of racism or sectarianism. In 1939, Simma headed for the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and started working on the student newspaper. She never looked back.
Starting her newspaper job in an era when women were relegated to the fashion section, she was assigned to the waterfront and skid row. During her 40 years as a newspaper reporter for the Vancouver Sun, and as an author, Simma saved three men from the gallows, and won countless awards for her articles and books.
She became the first female Jewish Member of Parliament in 1974, was the first female vice-chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee, and served on the Parole Board.
Length: 23:44
Original Format: Video
Originally Broadcast: August 30, 1994 on CBC Television
Ariadne Ochrymovych (Toronto, Ontario) has produced and directed films for 18 years. In 1986, she conceived, developed and directed The Feminization of Poverty series at the National Film Board. She was executive producer/director of two acclaimed children's films, Billy Goat's Bluff and The Juggler, for the CBC and Radio-Canada and which were sold internationally. She has recently written and directed a documentary on drug abuse for Churchill Films in Los Angeles. Ariadne's current projects include Redefining Power: Women of Vision as well as a feature script exploring Ukraine's political situation from World War II until the present.
| More Stories | More Information |  |
|
|
||
 |
