Beryl Gaffney
Lifetime Contribution
Beryl Gaffney’s remarkable legacy is rooted in her unwavering dedication to community service and social justice. Rising from the position of secretary and administrative assistant to serve two terms as a Member of Parliament, Beryl is a deeply respected figure in Nepean and Ottawa. Her public service spanned decades, including nine years as a Nepean City Councillor and six years as a Regional Councillor. At every stage of her career she was known for her empathy, hard work, and relentless commitment to addressing the needs of the underserved.
Throughout her public life Beryl championed initiatives that have left a lasting imprint on her community. She was instrumental in founding the Nepean Museum, ensuring Nepean’s vibrant social history would be preserved and recognized as an integral part of Ottawa’s cultural fabric. Understanding the challenges faced by seniors and those with limited mobility, she established a Meals on Wheels program for Nepean residents—an essential service that continues to this day.
Recognizing the need for comprehensive social supports, Beryl spearheaded the creation of the Nepean Community Resource Centre. Through persistent advocacy and community consultation, she secured municipal funding to provide services such as mental health counselling, legal aid, youth programs, and supports for newcomers. Today that vision has grown into the Nepean, Rideau, and Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC), a thriving institution affiliated with Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre.
As a Member of Parliament Beryl’s leadership extended nationally. She served as the Liberal Critic for Human Rights and chaired the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of the Disabled. Among her most significant contributions was her campaign against the Meme breast implant which led to its removal from the market, and her push for increased breast cancer research funding.
Beryl was also a tireless advocate for individuals with fibromyalgia, a chronic and often misunderstood condition disproportionately affecting women. Her advocacy culminated in the presentation of a petition in the House of Commons calling for fibromyalgia to be recognized as a disability and for the establishment of a national Fibromyalgia Day. Her efforts helped bring visibility to a silent struggle and led to broader recognition of the condition as a medical disability.
In her quest for gender equity Beryl uncovered and challenged disparities in political campaign funding for women. Her fight contributed to national conversations about the structural barriers facing female candidates. She also led a successful campaign to eliminate taxes on child support payments, following extensive testimony and data from affected families.
Internationally Beryl’s human rights advocacy gained global attention. On a fact-finding mission to China in 1992, she and her colleagues were expelled after attempting to investigate prison conditions. The incident sparked international media coverage and raised awareness of human rights abuses. As Beryl poignantly stated afterward, “Things are not at all right behind that Great Wall of China.”
Among her most enduring legacies is Nelson House, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Confronted with the lack of local crisis resources, Beryl galvanized support at all levels of government and within the community to establish the shelter. Today Nelson House remains a vital refuge offering safety and hope to those in crisis.
Beryl Gaffney’s career was defined by courage, compassion, and an unshakable belief in the power of community. Whether advocating for women’s rights, vulnerable families, or local history, she left behind a legacy of meaningful, lasting change. A trailblazer for women in politics and a champion for those without a voice, Beryl’s work continues to shape and strengthen the fabric of Ottawa.
