Memorable Manitobans: Josephine Mary Earn (1929-2016)

Social worker, community activist, author.

Born at Leicestershire, England in 1929, daughter of Dora and William Throne, she studied English at University College London and trained to become a medical social worker. While working at Leicestershire General Hospital, she met Dr. Abe Earn, a young doctor from Winnipeg who was completing his specialty training there. The couple married and settled in Winnipeg. She taught at the University of Manitoba School of Social Work from 1959 to 1964. She then took on significant roles in Planned Parenthood, eventually becoming President of Planned Parenthood in Canada in 1976. She also wrote a book, intended for children from other countries, entitled “Looking at Canada,” published in 1976. Diagnosed with cancer, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario in March 2016 to be closer to family. She died there on 7 May 2016.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 11 June 2016.

“The mighty and the colourful” by Kevin Rollason, Winnipeg Free Press, 31 December 2016, pages D13-D17.

This page was prepared by Mallory Light.

Page revised: 6 April 2017

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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