Dorothy O’Connell Monument to Anti-Poverty Activism
Posted by: 
lindeye
N 45° 25.188 W 075° 41.442
18T E 445961 N 5029818
Dorothy O'Connell is a well-respected anti-poverty activist in Ottawa. This monument was unveiled Oct. 17, 2004 on the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Waymark Code: WMJJ5M
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 11/23/2013
Views: 10
Dorothy O'Connell, playwright and anti-poverty activist for many years is referred to as the poet laureate of the poor. She helped establish Ottawa’s first women’s credit union and first legal aid clinic. She co-founded the Ottawa Tenants Council and the Ottawa Council for Low Income Support Services.
Designed by c.j.fleury, the artist’s concept refers to food and shelter and the interconnectedness of these basic necessities of life. The monument incorporates the visual symbols of bread and housing, which are immediately recognizable and portray the universal theme of the monument. The artist also created the “Women’s Monument Against Violence” in Minto Park.
The inside walls of the hollowed out area have words often used by Ms O’Connell:
POVERTY STOPS EQUALITY / EQUALITY STOPS POVERTY
AVEC LA PAUVRETÉ PAS D'ÉGALITÉ / L'ÉGALITÉ MET FIN À LA PAUVRETÉ
The "house" is used as a podium for events designed to raise awareness of the needy among us. Inscribed around the base are the words:
THE DOROTHY O'CONNELL MONUMENT TO ANTI-POVERTY ACTIVISM
MONUMENT DOROTHY-O'CONNELL À LA LUTTE ANTI-PAUVRETÉ
Anti-Poverty activism, an intimidating issue, was made approachable through this portrayal and gives dignity to the impoverished.
Other Links:
Poet Laureate of the Poor
The Anti-Poverty Project