Good things often come in small packages, and Nurse Ethel May Dawson was a living testament to that. In this month’s podcast episode of Stories from Another Day, we honour the incredible legacy of a woman whose compassion and kindness shaped our community for decades. Though small in stature, Nurse Dawson’s impact was immeasurable. She dedicated her life to caring for the youngest and most vulnerable and her unwavering devotion continues to inspire us all.

After the story, we invite our listeners to join the Town of Collingwood in celebrating International Women’s Day with a flag-raising ceremony on March 6, followed by a panel discussion featuring several local women, each making their own meaningful contributions to our community. Additionally, be sure to visit the museum between March 17 and April 25 to experience the Canadian Language Museum’s traveling exhibit, Sign Languages of Canada.

Episode Picture:

All Saints’ Anglican Church clinic for mothers and children, 1931 [Collingwood Museum Collection X969.431.1]

Research:

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/collingwoods-florence-nightingale-spent-48-years-delivering-babies-and-caring-for-the-sick-2357662

Griffen, Isabel. “Commemorative service for Nurse”. Enterprise Bulletin. October 18, 2002.

Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pg. 122.

Miles, Anita. The Chicago of the North: Anecdotes from Collingwood’s past. Town of Collingwood, 2004. pgs. 73-75.

Ethel Dawson Story told at Nurses Alumnae. Enterprise Bulletin Dec 13, 1972

Isabel Griffin typewritten essay, library research file

Links:

“The Country Doctor who Organized a Town” Season 3, Episode 6 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Country-Doctor-Who-Organized-a-Town-e2f4shm