Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that we bring you the news that MediaSmarts› founding Executive Director, Anne Taylor, has passed away after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Anne died peacefully in Ottawa on June 28th, with her family by her side.
For those of you who knew Anne personally, we are sure that you would agree with us that she was an exceptional woman and would appreciate her important legacy to Canadians. On a more personal level, we will miss Anne`s intelligence, generous spirit and intrepid nature.
As the founder and original Co-Director of Media Awareness Network (now MediaSmarts), it was Anne’s job to build an organization out of nothing: no small task, especially as we were preaching the gospel of media literacy which few understood or knew they needed. Anne was a true pioneer in 1995: she said our media literacy clearinghouse should be a website when nobody was even using the World Wide Web yet. She felt this new technology would revolutionize education – which it has – and that children would need skills to safely and wisely navigate it – which they do.
Anne understood then how digital and media literacy skills would become increasing important in a world that was rapidly evolving to one where children would access most of their information, communications and entertainment online. Thousands of Canadian teachers and students have benefited from the treasure trove of resources and programs that she guided to fruition.
For those of you who would like to send condolences to Anne`s family, her obituary is below. A celebration of Anne`s life will be held at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa on July 26, 2014.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ottawacitizen/obituary.aspx?n=anne-a-taylor&pid=171579837
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Anne was a champion for
Anne was a champion for teacher-librarian professionals as she valued their commitment and knowledge of media literacy in providing outstanding programs for students K-12.
Her pioneer work in the area of media literacy and Canadian youth has been invaluable for all educators.
RIP. A really inspiring woman
RIP. A really inspiring woman! Sending deepest condolences from the U.S.
Cathy and Staff at Media
Cathy and Staff at Media Smarts; As the first employee Anne had at the Media Awareness Network, I am deeply saddened to hear of Anne’s passing. She was a great lady who took a risk and hired me, a young university graduate, to help her start the Media Awareness Network. She taught me many things and I was so proud of all that she accomplished in starting and guiding this amazing organization. She was kind, passionate and a pioneer on so many levels. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Gayle
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