The First of Many Firsts for PR Veteran Ruth Hammond APR, FCPRS(H) L.M.

July 13, 2010

TORONTO – How do you pay tribute to a woman with an accomplished and impressive public relations career? You give her the first-ever honorary title on the Canadian Public Relations Society’s Board of Directors. Pierrette Leonard APR, FCPRS, CPRS National President, and Karen Dalton APR, CPRS Executive Director, presented Hammond with the title and a certificate on the occasion of her 90th birthday on July 6, 2010. This marks the first time ever that anyone has become an honorary member of the CPRS Board of Directors.

“It is a privilege to present this title to Ruth on behalf of CPRS,” said Leonard. “Ruth was a true trailblazer before it was even fashionable for women to be. She was driven in her quest for gender equity within the profession from a set of core values that have earned her the respect of countless colleagues.”

Hammond’s public relations and communications career spans over 50 years. After pursuing careers in both teaching and journalism, she later formed her own public relations consulting company. Her diverse career included work with Young and Rubicam, Drake International Limited, Ontario College of Art and Vickers and Benson Advertising. Her charitable initiatives included communications work with the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Heart & Stroke Foundation, The Lung Association, the YM/WCA of Canada, Girl Guides of Canada and the United Way. Throughout her pursuits, Hammond was an ardent advocate for women’s equal status and position in the industry.

“I cannot think of anyone else more deserving of this honour than Ruth,” said Dalton. “Her public relations and communications career is remarkable and inspiring for any Canadian practitioner. I admire her drive for women’s prominence in the Society and the example she set for many women afterward.”

The following is a short list of Hammond’s accomplishments:

• In 1956, Hammond joins CPRS, one of the first women public relations consultants to participate in the Society’s activities
• President, Canadian Women’s Press Club, 1966-67
• First woman to receive the APR designation, 1968
• Director, CPRS Toronto, 1969-1974
• Award of Attainment, CPRS, 1979
• Director, Toronto Press Club, 1980-1994
• Life Member, CPRS Toronto, 1989-present
• First female recipient of the Philip A. Novikoff Memorial Award, CPRS, 1995
• Director, Belmont House Foundation, 1998-2002
• First Honorary Doctorate recipient, Mount Saint Vincent University, 1998
• First female honorary member of the College of Fellows, CPRS, 2001

About CPRS
Founded in 1948, the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a not-for-profit organization whose members are engaged in the practice, management or teaching of public relations and communications. Members work to maintain the highest standards and share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations. CPRS is a federation of over 1,800 members across 16 Member Societies based in major cities or organized province-wide. For more information, visit our website: www.cprs.ca.

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For more information contact:
Wattshala Chantha
Communications Coordinator
The Canadian Public Relations Society
Phone: 416-239-7034
Email: wchantha@cprs.ca
Website: www.cprs.ca

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The Canadian Public Relations Society, Inc.

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