Celebrating the Achievements of Women in Niagara Centre
"Don't get angry, get political, get involved"
- Peggy Nash, CM, Former MP and Keynote Speaker
 ‘We help ourselves by helping others."
- Melva Snowling, Honour Roll Inductee
The Niagara Centre NDP Women’s Committee launched the Women’s Honour Roll as part of its International Women’s Day event on Sunday, March 1 st , 2020. This is an award given to recognize the historic achievements of champions in the local community who have made outstanding contributions and demonstrated excellence in improving the status and lives of women and girls.

For International Women's Day 2020, the Niagara Centre NDP Women’s Committee was excited to welcome Peggy Nash, former NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park, as the event's keynote speaker. Peggy Nash discussed her experience in activism, as a woman in politics, and urged young people to continue organising. At the event, the Niagara Centre NDP Women’s Committee honoured Helen Santek and Melva Snowling as the first inductees to the Niagara Centre Women's Honour Roll for their outstanding advocacy work.

On Sunday, March 6, 2022, at its annual International Women’s Day Event, the Niagara Centre NDP Women’s Committee was proud to honour Betty Farrish with induction to the Women’s Honour Roll. Please see below for photos and biographies of the remarkable women on the Niagara Centre NDP Women’s Honour Roll.

Inductees to the Women's Honour Roll

Helen Santek

(In memoriam, 1928-2019)

Helen Santek was born and raised in Thorold, of Macedonian immigrant parents.  Her father, Alexander, who owned a grocery store called “The International” was well known for his community mindedness, particularly during the depression years when he extended credit to customers who were unable to afford groceries.

During her adolescent years, Helen was energetic and self-reliant.  Long before she drove a car, she had no trouble getting places on her bicycle, whether it be Niagara Falls, St. Catharines or Welland, the distance didn’t deter her.  Along with physical stamina and endurance, she had an inner strength and appreciation for the arts that came across in her musical interests.  She took voice lessons and had a beautiful singing voice.  Upon completing her studies at Thorold High, she was employed in the offices of McKinnon Industries (that would later become General Motors) until she married Vladimir, moved to Welland and worked for many years in the storehouse at Page Hersey.  Helen was known as an intelligent, self taught woman who read extensively and among other things was a talented seamstress.

Politics was her passion and she first became active canvassing door-to-door for Medicare with Mel Swart, who would become Welland’s first NDP Member of Provincial Parliament.  She continued to be a proud member of the NDP throughout her life, working on every election campaign.  She enjoyed talking to people and was a natural canvasser who put people at ease as she introduced herself, listened carefully to the concerns that she heard and discussed the issues and proposals of her party.  She canvassed confidently, not taking offence at opposing views;  nothing fazed her or undermined her optimism.

Her commitment to social justice extended to her involvement in numerous organizations and causes.  She was a member of the Council of Canadians, the Ontario Health Coalition, the Canada-Cuba Friendship Association; a Board member of Women’s Place, Canal View Homes and the development Board of Woodrose Housing Co-operative; she protested the Invasion of Iraq and the oppression of Palestinians.

As a mother, her love for her family was boundless and she took immense pleasure in any and all achievements of her children and grandchildren.  She instilled her values in them and gave them freedom and encouragement to pursue their goals in life.

Helen will long be remembered and respected for her sincere caring nature, her competence, her passionate pursuit of social justice and her dedication to the principles of social democracy.


Melva Snowling

Melva Snowling  has lived in the St. Catharines area all of her life and has demonstrated a commitment to her community in a variety of formal work and volunteer capacities.
Melva’s keen interest in law, justice and human rights is clearly identified through her volunteer appointments to the Niagara Police Commission, the Women’s Justice Committee and the National Association of Women and the Law, and other community-based boards and committees.
Melva Snowling dedicated many years working to protect women and their children from domestic violence and to provide the supports needed to build better lives. This work saw the creation of Gillian’s Place, one of Ontario’s first shelters for abused women and children, where Melva worked side-by-side with Gillian Dooley to build and strengthen a safe haven for those in need. The work continued as Melva served on the Board of Directors for Women’s Place and went on to become the board Chair.
Melva continues to give of her time to help those in need by serving on the Board of Directors of Bethlehem Place which provides affordable, safe, transitional housing and a comprehensive support program for people who wish to make a change in their lives.
When Melva isn’t giving her time to the various boards and committees on which she serves, one will find her actively involved in the organization of the Annual Mel Swart Auction which is now in its 27th year.
Melva is walking proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  Her much loved and much respected father, former MPP Mel Swart worked tirelessly for justice, fairness and social equality. Melva Snowling is quoted saying, “One of Mel’s favourite sayings was, ‘We help ourselves by helping others.’”

Of her much loved and much respected mother Melva, Gillian Nicholls says, “Her work taught me that those of us that have safe and secure lives have a responsibility to care for those in need.”

"Melva was a volunteer and then employed by the Stephen Lewis Foundation as a member of the Grandmothers Campaign team in 2007.
These were very early days in the Campaign, and in her role as Campaign Assistant, Melva had to do just about everything imaginable.
She was responsible for providing administrative support to the Grandmothers Campaign. She answered all Campaign related inquiries; organized mail outs of information packages; managed and delegated the work of Campaign volunteers; and provided information and support to grandmothers groups that organized events to raise funds for the Campaign.
She had to interpret tax law, be an event organizer, a motivational speaker, and a sensitive bridge between the grandmothers of Africa and the grandmothers of Canada
Melva’s work was invaluable. Her attention to detail, her intelligence and understanding, her organizational skills, her communications skills, and above all, her commitment to the cause was not just outstanding, but just what the Grandmothers Campaign needed.
The Stephen Lewis Foundation is proud to know her and is proud to have worked with her, and considers her a loyal and lovely friend."
- Letter written by the Stephen Lewis Foundation


Betty Farrish

(In memoriam, 1942-2021)

Betty Ann Farrish was from Lucknow, Ontario, the small town that instilled in her the values and vision that made her a passionate advocate for community mental health services, and a leader in creating an organization and environment that would deliver those services.  She was the founder and first Executive Director of the Oak Centre:  Alternative Community Support, in Welland, and the Lake House, in Port Colborne.  She believed that by building healthy communities all of us, including people with mental health issues, would benefit in the long run.

Her involvement with the NDP came out of the belief that the personal is the political and the political is personal.  She read voraciously and chose the party that she believed would serve the people she cared about the most;  those most vulnerable in our communities.  She chose the NDP and was a dedicated  active member who attended party meetings, canvassed door to door and contributed financially.  At election time, she volunteered many hours on NDP campaigns over the years, working to elect Mel Swart, Peter Kormos and Cindy Forster.  Even as her health declined, she continued to participate, attending Jeff Burch’s nomination meeting in 2018.   She was steadfast in her beliefs, commitments and vision for positive social change and political action.
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Betty was a registered nurse who worked for years at the Psychiatric Unit of the Welland County General Hospital.  It was during that time that she came to see that although the hospital provided immediate intervention and treatment for those suffering from mental illness, these individuals needed on-going support in the community in order to recover... Read Full Biography Here
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