Friends and family members of well-known trade unionist Megan Tanya Whitfield will be gathering on Sunday September 6 at Meadowvale Conservation Park to celebrate her life.

The celebration takes place at 1 p.m. at the park, which is located at 1081 Old Derry Rd. W., Mississauga.

Whitfield is well-known as the first Black President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW,) Toronto Local, which represented thousands or posties at Gateway Postal Facility, in Mississauga.

She was a forward-thinking leader who stood up for the rights of female workers and was instrumental in getting Canada’s first Black postie Albert Jackson commemorated on Canada Post stamp.

The Jamaica-born mom, grandmother, sister and aunt also played a key role at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where she was a core member of the Executive Board, Executive Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee. At the OFL Convention, she co-chaired the Convention Resolutions Committee.

She was also a long-time member and board member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ Canadian Chapter, who is helping to organize the event with The Ontario Federation of Labour.

“Megan’s strong leadership on the Workers of Colour Committee and in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists was instrumental in the work to end racial discrimination in Ontario and beyond,” Ontario Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Ahmad Gaied said on her passing.

“The workers’ struggle was her struggle, and Whitfield’s leadership was instrumental in strengthening our movement,” added OFL Executive Vice-President Janice Folk-Dawson.

Megan died suddenly at her home last May 24.

Those attending the celebration are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, snacks, water or other items they may require during the socially distanced event. The celebrations will take place in rain or shine.