Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: June 22, 1999
• Invested on: September 10, 1999

Rosemarie Popham, M.S.M., Toronto, Ont. (deceased)
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

Ms. Popham was Director of Social Action for the Family Service Association of Toronto and the National Coordinator of Campaign 2000, whose aim was to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. She conceived, co-founded and spearheaded the campaign, fundraised, arranged meetings and prepared and presented briefs to federal standing committees and international bodies. She also acted as the campaign's chief spokesperson by coordinating media promotion and writing numerous articles about child poverty. Ms. Popham coordinated the development of the annual Child Poverty in Canada report card with the Centre for International Statistics. Thanks to her leadership and devotion, Campaign 2000 has helped to create national awareness of this important cause.