June Callwood

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June Callwood, CC, O.Ont, LL.D (born 2 June 1924) is a Canadian journalist, author and social activist. She was born in Chatham, Ontario.

Having begun a career in journalism at the Brantford Expositor, in 1942 Callwood began writing for The Globe and Mail. She married journalist Trent Frayne two years later, but continued to use her own surname because The Globe and Mail did not hire married women at the time.

Callwood later became a freelance journalist, writing books and magazine pieces, many for Maclean's.

Callwood entered television journalism, hosting the series In Touch on CBC Television from 1975 to 1978. She has also hosted two series, National Treasure and Caregiving with June Callwood, for Vision TV.

Callwood's career has been marked by a strong concern for social justice, especially on issues affecting children and women. She has become one of Canada's most famous social justice activists, founding or cofounding over 50 Canadian social action organizations including youth and women's hostels, in 1988 she founded Casey House, a Toronto hospice for people with AIDS, PEN Canada and the Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation.

In 1978, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. She was promoted to Officer in 1985, and promoted again to Companion in 2000. In 1988, she was awarded the Order of Ontario. In 2004, the City of Toronto noted its intention to name a street in Callwood's honour. This street has not yet been chosen, as Callwood has requested that an existing street not be renamed for her. Instead, she has asked for a new or currently unnamed street near a school or a playground.

Also in 2004, Callwood went public about her battle with cancer. She is currently terminal with cancer.

In July 2005, a Toronto park [1] was named after Callwood. A professorship in social justice was also established at Victoria College, University of Toronto in her honour. [2].

June Callwood and Trent Frayne had 4 children together - 2 daughters and 2 sons. The daughters are noted authors Jessie and Jill Frayne, and the elder son is Brant Frayne. The second son and youngest child, Casey Frayne, was killed by a drunk driver when he was 21 years old.

Callwood has 5 grandchildren: Marie, Emma, Lucy, and Jack Manchester (children of Jessie); and Bree (daughter of Jill).