We are delighted to announce that Trudy Comeau recently received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. This prestigious medal was awarded to Trudy Comeau on November 13, 2012 by Megan Leslie, MP Halifax to recognize her outstanding dedication to the promotion of linguistic duality within Nova Scotia and across Canada.
Trudy Comeau became a member of CPF in 1993 when her daughter attended a CPF French immersion summer camp. Her daughter’s enthusiasm about the camp and the experience she had made Mrs. Comeau quickly realize the value of such an experience and subsequently volunteered to help the next summer with the administration of the camp. As CPF-NS Camp Coordinator, the camp program expanded and flourished as a key extracurricular program which continues to this day.
Mrs. Comeau served as President of the Halifax Regional Chapter and as President of CPF-Nova Scotia. In the time she spent as Branch president, she strengthened relationships with officials in the NS Department of Education and the regional representatives of Canadian Heritage. She served on many committees of the Halifax Regional School Board advocating for wider access to and more stability of French-second-language programs. She has given many public presentations on the benefits of learning French as a second language, encouraging parents to explore the option of a bilingual education for their children. In October 2002, Trudy was awarded an Honorary Membership by the Nova Scotia Language Teachers Association, in recognition of efforts to advance the understanding and expansion of French language and the Acadian culture in Nova Scotia
Ms. Comeau was elected to the National Board in October 2002 and served as Vice President from April 2003 to Nov 2004 when she was elected president. During her term as President, Ms Comeau was actively involved in dialogue with various stakeholders including the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages, university presidents and key decision makers in various ministries of education across Canada. In 2010, Ms Comeau was awarded an Honorary Membership by Canadian Parents for French in recognition of her many years of work within our organization
Trudy Comeau has dedicated herself to the cause of promoting linguistic duality across the country at the provincial and the national level. Since finishing her term as Canadian Parents for French (CPF) President, Trudy continues to volunteer and is the President of Pathways to Progress, Nicaragua
Congratulations!
Photo: Trudy Comeau (centre) with Megan Leslie, MP Halifax and his Honour, Brigadier-General J. J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ref’d)