Community Living Ontario

Kory Earle discusses the legacy of a tireless advocate
Monday November 7, 2011 -- Kristian Partington

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, People First Ontario president Kory Earle was checking through his e-mail while in Winnipeg, and there was a message from his predecessor, Rose Bennett. She was just checking in, as she usually did, dropping a line to see how life was going.

His response was: “life is great.” He was doing well, travelling at the time, and he naturally asked how she was doing.

Her response was similar.

“She said ‘things are great, I’m just doing work and life’s good,’” Earle recalls.

Less than a week later, he was at the airport and received another e-mail informing him that Bennett had passed away suddenly in her home.

That was Oct. 15 — a day Earle says the movement towards a more inclusive society lost one of its most dedicated and passionate advocates.

“It was so unexpected,” he says, emotion wavering in his voice.

“When you become so close with someone,” he says before pausing, and beginning again.

“Even if you only knew Rose for five minutes, you’d certainly connect with her.”

Earle’s connection began about five years ago when he started his involvement with People First Ontario, and Bennett was the president at the time.

“She was a true leader,” he says, especially when it came to the idea of protecting people who have a disability from the injustice of having their homes picketed during labour disputes.

“Rose didn’t shy away from telling picketers what she thought about what they were doing, and her fearlessness encouraged others to speak out as well,” says Community Living Ontario executive director Keith Powell in a written tribute.

“Rose’s life was a testament to social justice.”

When Earle became president of the People First Ontario two years ago, Bennett asked that he ensure the no picketing remains a priority in the quest for social justice.

Today, as he speaks about her “commitment to the movement,” he vows no picketing is something he and his fellow advocates will “take straight forward to the headlines.”

When they are successful, and people know they no longer have to fear labour unrest being visited upon their front lawns, Bennett’s “spirit will be there to see it,” Kory says.

“She spoke for people who couldn’t speak and that light in her eye, that is my memory,” he says.

Powell also writes of the memory of the fallen leader, hoping “it will inspire in us the kind of commitment and courage that Rose lived with.”

In speaking with Earle, you know Rose Bennett’s mantle carries on and the fight to honour her legacy will continue with unwavering passion.

If you have questions or comments, please contact 800-294-0051, ext. 24, or e-mail kristian(at)axiomnews.ca.