Canadian Living 2009 Me to We Award winners and honourable mentions

Social action
HETTY VAN GURP • GIVING PEACE A CHANCE • GRANVILLE FERRY, N.S.
Hetty van Gurp's son Ben was 14 when he died after being pushed by a bully. Frustrated by her loss, she was determined to do something about bullying. Hetty, a teacher, introduced a campaign called "Lessons in Living" in 1991; its aim, to teach students how to live and learn together. "It's a child's right to feel safe at school," says the 60-year-old activist. Hetty was invited to work with schools throughout Nova Scotia to end bullying.

In 2001, Hetty founded Peaceful Schools International, an organization devoted to creating safe learning environments for students. The organization has since grown to include 300 schools in Canada and around the world. With the help of the Canadian International Development Agency, Hetty spread her message of peaceful classrooms in areas traumatized by violent conflict, such as Northern Ireland, Serbia and Sierra Leone.

She hopes to set up satellite branches of her organization and says the first one would be in Pakistan. Although combating bullying has become a full-time job for Hetty, she continues to actively pursue the same goal she has had since her days as a teacher in Halifax: "To see peace education as part of everyday life in schools." – Toni Petter

Hetty's Me to We Award money will go to Peaceful Schools International.

Honourable mentions
SOCIAL ACTION
VERONICA SCHAMI created Readers for Life, an organization that promotes literacy awareness. Since its launch three years ago, Readers for Life has donated 1,000 new books to elementary schools in Montreal.

CATHERINE ROBAR of Halifax created The Themba Development Project in South Africa, which supports 600 people living in Thembalethu with food and gardening supplies. Check out The Themba Development Project's website at www.thembaproject.org

EDUCATOR
GLYN HUGHES founded Students 4 Change, a social justice group that encourages students at George McDougall High School in Airdrie, Alta., to make a positive impact in the world.

HEATHER COEY is a teacher and student leadership adviser at Reynolds Secondary School in Victoria. She worked with students to form the Green Group, which initiated several ongoing environmentally conscious projects.

COMMUNITY
CAROLINE MACGILLIVRAY founded Beauty Night, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that provides makeovers and wellness programs to adults and youth in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

NANCY MCPHEE launched Stephen's Backpacks Society for homeless children in Edmonton and Calgary. She has organized a group to put together backpacks filled with books, toys, clothing, towels and school supplies.

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