Memorable Manitobans: Gertrude Childs (1881-1957)

Social worker.

Born in November 1881, she was active in social welfare work for the city of Winnipeg and the province. She started working with the city social welfare commission in 1920, the first year Winnipeg had an unemployment department. Later appointed supervisor of the city welfare commission, following changes made in the province’s social welfare department in 1929, she became supervisor of Mothers Allowances. In recognition of her work, she was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1934. She retired in 1948. She died at Winnipeg on 15 June 1957 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. After her death, the Gertrude Childs Scholarship was established to recognize second year students in the school of social work at the University of Manitoba.

Sources:

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“In New Year’s Honors,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 January 1934, page 2.

“Gertrude Childs retires after many years in welfare work,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 April 1949. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B10, page 91]

“Noted social worker dies at age of 75,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 June 1957, page 53.

“University of Manitoba announces new scholarships, bursaries, prizes,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 March 1959, page 2.

This page was prepared by Sarah Ramsden and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 17 February 2014

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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