Florence Gell
{{Short description|Canadian civic leader (1906–2001)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Florence Ellis Gell
| image = Florence Gell portrait 1960 York Deputy Reeve.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Florence Gell, Deputy Reeve of the Township of York, seated at the wheel of the new LaFrance Aerial Ladder Truck delivered to the Township in 1960. (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, Series 1906, File 12)
| birth_name = Florence Ellis Bailey
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1906|09|17}}
| birth_place = Lachute Mills, Quebec, Canada
| death_date = {{Death date |2001|03|20}}
| death_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| nationality = Canadian
| other_names =
| known_for =
| occupation = Stenographer, Politician, Authority Vice-Chair & Chair
| spouse = George William Gell
}}
Florence Ellis Gell (née Bailey, 1906–2001) was a prominent civic leader and pioneering municipal politician in the former City of York, Ontario, Canada. She was known to be an active member of her community and was the first woman to serve in a number of public positions.
Background
Florence Gell was born to Annie Reed and George Arthur Bailey in Lachute Mills, Quebec. She moved with her family at a young age to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where she lived until 1919. Gell was living independently of her parents in Toronto, Ontario by late 1920. She married George William Gell in 1930 in Toronto before moving to York in 1932, where they had two sons, Robert (1937) and John (1940). George Gell served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was killed in Germany in April 1945. Gell. 2000. pp. 143–144.; Ryan. 2024. p. 7. (see references)
Politics
Florence Gell was a role model and trailblazer for women in public life in the Township, later Borough (1967), then City (1983) of York. She was the first woman to be elected Chair of the York Board of Education (Jan 1953), Photograph captioned "Mrs. Florence Gell ... first lady chairman of York twp. board of education ...", The Toronto Star, Jan 13, 1953, p. 7. and the first woman to be elected a member of York's Municipal Council (Dec 1953). Photograph captioned "Mrs. Florence Gell ... First Woman Councillor in History of York Township", The Toronto Star, Dec 7, 1953, p. 14. During her time on the Council, Gell was the first woman to serve (first appointed, then elected) as a Deputy Reeve (1958). "How the Votes Went: Suburban Elections" & "Big Majority Returns Tonks as Reeve", The Toronto Star, Dec 2, 1958, p. 8.
Gell inspired Gayle Christie to enter York politics. Christie was the first woman to be elected Mayor of York (1978), which included holders of the equivalent position of Reeve on the old Township Council. Florence Gell was Christie’s heroine. Ryan. 2024. p. 7. (see references) William Burrill, "Wolves howled outside Gayle Christie's door", The Toronto Star, Apr 5, 1981, p. D10 (online 76). Gell was also an important inspiration to Frances Nunziata, the second woman to be elected Mayor of York (1994). Brunet. 2001. (see references)
Other public service
File:Florence Gell portrait 1967 OTC.jpg
Following Florence Gell’s departure from municipal politics in December 1966, she carried on with her public service in other roles. She continued her progression through the ranks to become the first woman to serve as President of the Ontario Traffic Conference † (1967), the first woman to serve as Chair of the Board of Governors of Humber College (1977), and the first woman to serve as Chair of the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (1983).
During her time at the Conservation Authority, Gell played an important role in the establishment and promotion of Conservation Schools (also called Field Centres) for children and youth to encourage the protection of the natural environment. Ryan. 2024. pp. 9–10, 17 & 29.; McLean. 2004. pp. 18, 151–161. (see references) In December 1968, the first of these schools/centres (opened in 1963 at Albion Hills) received the first White Owl Conservation Award for its work.
Florence Gell was active in all aspects of her community. At various times before, during, and after her political career, Gell's community and public positions included the following:
- Vestry Clerk, Advisory Board officer, Toronto Synod lay delegate, and a principal fundraiser for The Church of the Advent (Anglican); Ryan. 2024. pp. 11—12. (see references) Journal of the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Toronto of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1969, p. 47; 1970, p. 48; 1971, p. 57. The Church of the Advent. 2005. (see references)
- Rationing Officer during World War II; City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 32, York Council Minutes, Committee of General Purposes, Jan 15, 1943, pp. 13 & 16.
- Member and President of the Lambton Park Home and School Association;
- Adult advisor to the youth-run Jack and Jill Club for Teenagers; "Jack and Jill Club Stage First Party", The Toronto Star, Feb 16, 1946, p. 20.
- Corresponding Secretary of the York Community Council; "Suburban Topics in Brief: Seek Recreation Group", The Toronto Star, Jan 28, 1948, p. 4. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 37, York Council Minutes, Committee of General Purposes, Jan 28, 1948, p. 36.
- Chair, then Corresponding Secretary, of the York Advisory Recreation Committee; City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 41, York Council Minutes, Committee of General Purposes, Jan 28, 1952, pp. 55—56; Mar 10, 1952, pp. 133—134.
- Advocate for the establishment of public daycare facilities for children; "York told to act on day care centres", The Toronto Star, May 22, 1970, p. 33.
- Returning Officer and Clerk for provincial elections;
- Chair of the Fireworks Committee for York's annual Victoria Day celebration;
- Active member and convention delegate of the local Progressive Conservative Association;
- Member of the York Safety Council, the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, and the Board of Governors of the Osler School of Nursing.
Gell’s philanthropic activities included fundraising for the following organizations: Canadian Red Cross Society, Canadian Cancer Society, United Appeal for Metropolitan Toronto (United Way since 1973), and York Township School for children with intellectual disabilities. She also served on the boards of Runnymede Hospital, Northwestern General Hospital, York Township Housing Company (Beech Hall Apartments for seniors), St. Hilda’s Towers, and the foundations that supported St. Hilda’s and the Toronto Conservation Authority. Gell was a Senior Volunteer at St. Hilda’s Towers, which, like Beech Hall Apartments, provided affordable rental housing for seniors. Humber College. 1977. p. 6. (see references) Ontario Corporation № 696540, St. Hilda's Towers Foundation, Application for Incorporation, Dec 31, 1986. Available through the Ontario Business Registry in the corporation's "Archive Document Package", https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-business-registry
Note: † The Ontario Traffic Conference is now the Ontario Traffic Council.
Honours
File:Ontario Bicentennial Medal 1984 GRM&A.jpg
Florence Gell received a number of honours for her public work. These recognitions included the following:
- Honourary Life Member of the Ontario Traffic Conference (c. 1970); Ryan. 2024. p. 47. (see references); Sandra Grilo, Manager, Ontario Traffic Council
- York’s first Citizen of the Decade award (1978); The Church of the Advent. 1978. (see references)
- The Ontario Bicentennial Medal (1984). City of York. 1984. (see references)
In addition, the following were so named in her honour:
- Florence Gell Park (1956) in the Warren Park neighbourhood of York; York By-Law № 15500 of Nov 5, 1956, available upon request from the City of Toronto Archives, archives@toronto.ca
- The Florence Gell Award (1979) at Humber College;
- The Florence Gell Garden (1985) at The Village at Black Creek (Conservation Authority);
- Florence Gell Memorial Bursary (2005) at The Church of the Advent. The Church of the Advent. 2005.; Ryan. 2024. p. 23. (see references)
Note: Contrary to some sources, Florence Gell was not named York's Citizen of the Year in 1981. That honour went to Nadia De Franco.
External links
- [https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-and-recreation-facilities/location/?id=2015 Florence Gell Park] on the official website of The City of Toronto (accessed May 11, 2025).
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esNnITHRj60 The Battle of Beech Hall], a film by Christopher Wilson, Cinemagic Productions, 1981 (accessed May 11, 2025).
Citations
{{Reflist|refs =
| title = Mrs. Gell is First Lady Head Of Ontario Traffic Conference | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553437/page/2?q=Florence+Gell&docid=OOI.3553437 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | publisher = Principal Publishing Ltd. | page = 1 | date = May 4, 1967 | access-date = April 14, 2025 | language = English}}
{{Citation | title = Gell Appointed Board Chairman
| journal = Humber Happenings | volume = 3 | issue = 5 | pages = 6 | date = Winter 1977 | year = 1977 | language = English | url = https://archives.humber.ca/humber-happenings-volume-3-number-5 | archive-url = https://archives.humber.ca/uploads/r/humber-college-archives/4/2/a/42a7e776240aff8d07290de8589cdb05bdc18fd049fade682e5e7e6256bea1f3/MRK_4F_v3_n5_access.pdf | archive-date = April 26, 2022}}
| title = United Appeal carries Load of Retarded Kids | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3556474/page/2? | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times-Avertiser | page = 1 | date = Jul 4, 1963 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Fund raising with a difference | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553923/page/3 | format = Reprint | work = Weston-York Times | page = 2 | date = Jul 27, 1972 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Church offers day care facilities | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553558/page/5 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 4 | date = Aug 21, 1969 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Avenue of Boutiques a success | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553938/page/6 | format = Reprint | work = Weston-York Times | page = 5 | date = Nov 9, 1972 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Fashion Show Presented by School Assoc. | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3555764/page/4 | format = Reprint | work = Times & Guide | page = 3 | date = Mar 30, 1950 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Penny Fair in York Township | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3555572/page/5 | format = Reprint | work = Times & Guide | page = 4 | date = Aug 15, 1946 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
{{Citation | title = Humber's 1979 Honor Roll of Special Award Winners
| journal = Humber Happenings | volume = 6 | issue = 2 | pages = 9–10 | date = Christmas 1979 | year = 1979 | language = English | url = https://archives.humber.ca/humber-happenings-volume-6-number-2 | archive-url = https://archives.humber.ca/uploads/r/humber-college-archives/1/b/0/1b009c331ed8f6b251c1382bd8bc002ece3b53bbdfd1d19bf7a4f0f00af619b4/MRK_4F_v6_n2_access.pdf | archive-date = April 26, 2022}}
| title = Province of Ontario - General Election 1963 | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3556484/page/7 | format = Reprint | work = Times & Guide | page = 6 | date = Sep 12, 1963 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Church to continue fireworks display | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553863/page/3 | format = Reprint | work = Weston-York Times | page = 2 | date = June 3, 1971 | access-date = April 21, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Fireworks display at Smythe Park | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553492/page/4 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 3 | date = May 16, 1968 | access-date = April 21, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = New bid for citizenship office ... Citizens Appointed | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553529/page/6 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 5 | date = January 30, 1969 | access-date = Apr 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Appointments to Boards | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553189/page/9 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Mosaic | page = 8 | date = Jan 1980 | access-date = April 15, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Fairbank Focus: Happy birthday to Bill | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553908/page/6 | format = Reprint | work = Weston-York Times | page = 5 | date = Apr 13, 1972 | access-date = April 16, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Civics Awards Night | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553212/page/2 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Mosaic | page = 1 | date = Nov 1981 | access-date = April 16, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = "Tammy" Nadia De Franco | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3554006/page/2 | format = Reprint | work = The York News | page = 1 | date = May 1980 | access-date = April 18, 2025 | language = English}}
{{Citation | title = Daffodil sale goes well
| journal = Coven | volume = 8 | issue = 12 | pages = 8 | date = Apr 10, 1978 | year = 1978 | language = English | url = https://archives.humber.ca/coven-volume-8-number-12 | archive-url = https://archives.humber.ca/uploads/r/humber-college-archives/7/8/5/7858712f4390285a0ad022de5feea224272a229db96187e112c72745a9ea500d/Coven_v8_n12.pdf | archive-date = May 30, 2023}}
| title = Official Recognitions | url = https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2001/minutes/council/cc010424.pdf| format = | work = Minutes of the Council of the City of Toronto | pages = 302–303 | date = Apr 23 – May 2, 2001 | access-date = April 16, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Kids love conservation school says Florence Gell | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553522/page/4 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 3 | date = Dec 12, 1968 | access-date = April 22, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Conservation Seminar Held at Woodbridge | url = https://history.rhpl.ca/3216342/page/7 | format = Reprint | work = The Liberal (Richmond Hill) | page = 6 | date = Dec 12, 1968 | access-date = April 22, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Claremont Conservation Area: New field training centre officially opens March 31 | url = https://news.ourontario.ca/WhitchurchStouffville/101315/page/15 | format = Reprint | work = The Tribune (Stouffville) | page = 15 | date = Mar 26, 1970 | access-date = April 22, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = First winner of conservation prize | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553524/page/6 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 5 | date = Dec 27, 1968 | access-date = April 22, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Photograph captioned: "A year-end gift for conservation ..." | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553525/page/2 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 1 | date = Jan 3, 1969 | access-date = April 22, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Amendment Act, 1966 | url = https://archive.org/details/statutesofprovin1966onta/page/470/mode/1up | format = Reprint | work = Statutes of Ontario, 1966, Chap. 96, sec. 14 (new Part VIII). | pages = 470–471| date = May 18, 1966 | access-date = April 24, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Ontario Regulation 396/83 | url = https://archive.org/details/v2ontarioregulat1983ontauoft/page/939/mode/1up | format = Reprint | work = Ontario Gazette (Regulations) | page = 3059 (939) | date = Jul 9, 1983 | access-date = April 24, 2025 | language = English}}
| title = Election Comment | url = https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553416/page/3 | format = Reprint | work = Weston Times | page = 2 | date = Dec 8, 1966 | access-date = May 11, 2025 | language = English}}
}}
References
Online, open access
- Humber College Archives, [https://archives.humber.ca/ Search]
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, [https://laserfiche.trca.ca/WebLink/Browse.aspx?startid=1030915&cr=1 Minute Books]
- Weston Historical Society Digital Newspaper Collection, [https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/search Search]
- Christopher D. Ryan. (2024). [https://sites.google.com/view/florence-gell-biography-sketch/home Florence Gell: A Biographical Sketch]. Toronto, Ontario: Christopher D. Ryan, December 2024. (ISBN 978-0-9869471-5-5) (Note: Includes extensive quotes from cited contemporary sources, as well as seven pages of additional citations from primary and reliable secondary sources.)
- Humber College. (1977). [https://archives.humber.ca/humber-happenings-volume-3-number-5 'Gell Appointed Board Chairman'], Humber Happenings, Winter 1977, Vol. 3, № 5, p. 6.
Online, limited access
- The Toronto Star Archives, [https://thestar.newspapers.com/ Search]
- Bill McLean. (2004). [https://archive.org/details/pathstolivingcit0000mcle/mode/2up Paths to the Living City: The Story of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority]. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, 2004. (ISBN 0-9732764-2-8)
Offline
- The Church of the Advent. (2005). Florence Gell Memorial Bursary. Background: Mrs. Florence Gell 1906-2001, dated 08/06/2005. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 8, File Florence Gell Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Carrie Brunet. (2001). "York politician Florence Gell was always a lady", The York Guardian, March 30, 2001, Vol. 5, № 13, p. 3.
- John Gell. (2000). "Mrs. Florence Gell: The First Lady of York" in Memories of Lambton Park. Toronto, Ontario: John Gell, August 2000, pp. 143–146. (ISBN 0-9687461-0-1)
- City of York. (1984). Biography of Florence Gell of March 1984, and Letter of December 3, 1984, to Florence Gell regarding the Ontario Bicentennial Medal. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, City of York, Series 1620, File 2874, Ontario - bicentennial celebrations. (Obtained via Freedom of Information Request 2024-00129)
- The Church of the Advent. (1978). "One of Our Members has been Honoured", Advent Bulletin, November 1978, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 4. (Gell receives York's Citizen of the Decade award.)
- City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 211, Series 646, York Council Minutes, Committee of General Purposes.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gell, Florence}}
Category:Women municipal councillors in Ontario
Category:20th-century Canadian municipal councillors
Category:Ontario municipal councillors
Category:People from York, Toronto
Category:Conservation authorities in Ontario
Category:Ontario school board trustees
Category:Anglican Church in Ontario
Category:Anglican Church of Canada
Category:Recipients of Canadian civil awards and decorations
Category:Ontario municipal politicians
Category:Charity fundraisers (people)
Category:People from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario