ABSTRACT
The major campaigns waged by the activist mothers in this study spanned a period of 30 years from the mid 1960s to the mid 1990s. They are all now around 80 years old and continue to be engaged. In May, 2005, Audrey, serving her third term as President of the Brockville Association, made a presentation to municipal councilors in support of the Provincial Government's decision to close its three large institutions, extending her organization's welcome to residents of the nearby Rideau Regional Centre. 1 Paulette continues to support families, and recently visited a mother whose daughter, still living in Rivière-des-Prairie Hospital, had become pregnant by a member of the institutional staff. Too late for an abortion, Paulette saw the young woman through her pregnancy and delivery, including the grand-mother's decision to adopt the baby. Jo lost her son Drew in May, 2004 when he was 49 years old, but continues to monitor developments related to the Woodlands School. In 2001 she advised an administrative review of the institution commissioned by the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development which recommended that all past residents receive partial reparation from the Provincial Government for the hardships they endured. 2 In March, 2005, the British Columbia Supreme Court certified a class action lawsuit by former residents seeking damages for abuse thereby enabling Woodland residents to have their day in court. 3
