Statement made on 02 November 2011 by Senator Wilfred Moore
Hon. Wilfred P. Moore:
Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleague Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, on the occasion of her being recognized by The International Alliance for Women for her contributions to the advancement of women.
This recognition came in the form of the TIAW's World of Difference Award, which was presented to Senator Hervieux-Payette last Thursday in Washington, D.C.
In this chamber we all know of our colleague's great dedication to the advancement of women in Canada and abroad, and it is truly gratifying to see her efforts recognized in such a manner, by such an organization.
Let me quote from The International Alliance for Women's citation regarding Senator Hervieux-Payette's worthiness as a recipient:
When it comes to women's economic advancement, there could be few champions stronger or more dedicated than Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette of Canada. Leading by example in her own career, she has blazed a trail for many to follow.
Senator Hervieux-Payette is a true model to young Canadian women, having achieved success in business and success in politics, being elected as a member of the other place in 1979, re-elected in 1980, sworn to the Privy Council in 1983, and in this chamber since 1995, where she became the first woman to hold the title of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. She is a dedicated contributor as Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, and is highly regarded for her volunteer work with the Financial Women of Quebec and Women at the Top.
Senator Hervieux-Payette, in a world where women still fight for equality at the best of times — and in some places for so much less than that — let me leave you with a call to arms from Clare Boothe Luce, an American politician and writer:
Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes." They will say, "Women don't have what it takes."
I know, sénatrice, that you will continue to prove women do have what it takes, no matter what it takes.
Féliciations, chère collègue!