Phyllis Haslam

Phyllis Georgie Haslam OC (24 May 1913 – 23 August 1991) was an Indian-Canadian swimmer and social worker. During the 1930s, Haslam swam on multiple university swim teams and won two medals at the 1934 British Empire Games. After completing her studies, Haslam held executive positions for the YWCA in Canada and Trinidad from the mid 1930s to early 1950s. From 1953 to 1978, Haslam was executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society's Toronto branch. Haslam was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1977 and named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978.

Early life and education

On 24 May 1913, Haslam was born in Dharmsala, India. During her childhood, Haslam lived in Toronto, Ontario and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.^[1] For her post-secondary education, Haslam first received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Saskatchewan in 1934 and a social work diploma from the University of Toronto in 1936. She later graduated from Trinity College, Toronto with a Doctor of Sacred Literature in 1980.^[2]

Career

While completing her studies, Haslam began entering swimming events in 1930. In the 1930s, Haslam set two records for Canada in the breaststroke and won multiple university swimming championships.^[3] At the trials for the 1934 British Empire Games, Haslam briefly held the world record for the 100 yards breaststroke before her time was broken at the event.^[4] As a competitor at that year's British Empire Games, Haslam won a silver medal at the 200 yards breaststroke and gold in the 3×100 yards medley relay.^[3]

As part of her post-secondary education in Toronto, Haslam worked at the Grandview Training School for Girls before joining the YWCA upon graduation.^[5] Haslam started out as a campus director for the organization's Montreal branch from 1936 to 1941. She later held executive director positions in Cornwall, Ontario and Trinidad during the 1940s. Haslam ended her tenure with the YWCA after becoming their personnel director from 1948 to 1953.^[6][2] Apart from the YWCA, Haslam was executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society in Toronto from 1953 to 1978.^[7]

Awards and honours

Haslam was inducted into the University of Saskatchewan's Hall of Fame in 1984 and the University of Toronto's Hall of Fame in 2015.^[8][9] Outside of universities, Haslam became a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1977.^[10][3] For awards, Haslam was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978.^[11]

Death

On August 23, 1991, Haslam died in Toronto, Ontario.^[1]

References

1. Mlazgar, Brian; Stoffel, Holden, eds. (2007). "Haslam, Phyllis G.". Saskatchewan Sports: Lives Past and Present. University of Regina. p. 59. ISBN 9780889771673. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
2. Simpson, Kieran, ed. (1991). "Haslam, Phyllis G.". Canadian who's who. Vol. XXVI. University of Toronto Press. p. 440. ISBN 0802046592. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
3. "Phyllis Haslam". Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
4. Powers, Ned (21 April 1984). "Winning was not important". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. p. F3.
5. Wilkinson, Maggie (27 October 1966). "The new outlook on prisons". The Province. Vancouver. p. 37.
6. "World YWCA Work Progressing". Winnipeg Tribune. 8 December 1949. p. 13.
7. Hannah-Moffatt, Kelly (2001). Punishment in Disguise: Penal Governance and Federal Imprisonment of Women in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 120. ISBN 0802046908. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
8. "Phyllis Haslam (1984)". University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
9. "Phyllis Haslam (2015)". University of Toronto Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
10. "Phyllis Haslam". Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
11. "Phyllis G. Haslam, O.C., B.Sc". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2019.