Ceta Ramkhalawansingh

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ramkhalawansingh emigrated to Canada in 1967, and studied political science and economics at the University of Toronto.[2] While still an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, she was actively involved in establishing the women's studies program in 1971.[3] Ceta also undertook graduate studies at the Institute for Child Study and at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) where she completed an MA degree and coursework towards a doctoral degree. She worked for the Toronto District School Board before joining the municipal staff at Toronto City Hall.[2] Her final position with the city was as director of diversity management and civic engagement within the city staff, a position from which she retired in 2010.[4]

As an activist in the downtown Toronto Grange neighbourhood, Ramkhalawansingh was involved with protecting rental housing, saving heritage buildings from demolition, campaigning for responsible and appropriate development, including restrictions upon institutional expansion.[5]

Her work on women's issues was recognized by Toronto City Council in 2012 with the Constance E. Hamilton Award, whose recipients are selected by the women members of council.[6] Her work was also recognized by the YWCA Toronto with a 2017 Woman of Distinction Award for public service and social justice.[7] At the awards ceremony held in May 2017, she was introduced by long time friend and celebrated Canadian author, Margaret Atwood.

To recognise the 50th anniversary of the first women's studies course being established in 1971 (celebrations to take place in 2021), Ceta Ramkhalawansingh established a scholarship in her name at the Women and Gender Studies Institute, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto. https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/women-gender-studies-co-founders-new-scholarship-celebrates-50-years-support

Ceta is very active in various volunteer activities. She is the National Chair, The Word On The Street Canada, President, LEARNXS Foundation, board member Toronto Foundation, Diaspora Dialogues. At the University of Toronto, Ceta is a Principal's Appointee, Innis College Council, serves as Board Chair, Harold Innis Foundation, is a Member of Massey College's Quadrangle Society and previously represented New College on the College of Electors.

Ramkhalawansingh was appointed after a council vote that split along ideological lines, with mayor Rob Ford and most conservative councillors favouring former Peel Region police chief Robert Lunney.[4] Ramkhalawansingh was elected by council on the second ballot with 22 votes to Lunney's 18. Her term ended on November 30, 2014; she did not stand as a candidate in the 2014 municipal election.

In August 2014, Ramkhalawansingh put forward a motion that Toronto City Council adopt a resolution to request that the federal government change the wording of "O Canada", specifically the line "all thy sons command", to be more gender-inclusive.[8]

One of the important projects which she undertook while on Council was the establishment of the Toronto Book Garden at Harbourfront Centre. https://web.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/toronto-book-awards/toronto-book-garden/ The Toronto Book Garden highlights the literary hub established at Harbourfront Centre with the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) and The Word On The Street Toronto (WOTS Toronto).

In December 2015, she co-founded the Campaign for Gender Equality in the Senate, which urged the Prime Minister to fill all 22 vacant positions with women, which would have the effect of achieving equality.[9]