The Toronto Right to Life Association has had two only presidents in its 20-year history.  First was Gwen Landolt.  Second, Laura McArthur.  On February 27, a large crowd attended a testimonial dinner in her honour, to thank Laura for sixteen years of service as president, a job which she has now handed over to June Scandiffio.

Born in New Brunswick, Laura was one of a family of eight girls and one boy.  The biographical account accompanying the banquet program told how she walked into the Right to Life office in 1972, after her youngest son had begun school and she had some free time available, and asked if there was anything she could do.

Membership committee

She was immediately made chairman of the membership committee – a committee of one, herself.  Three years later, she was elected president.  “I wasn’t asked,” she said.  “I was simply conscripted.”

From then on, she performed the usual and not-so-usual duties of president, such as carpentering and stuffing envelopes.

She built up the organization, helped compile and present briefs to all levels of government, organized rallies and conferences, and helped in the production of hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature.

She also spent hundreds of hours talking to students, and helped make her office a resource centre for them.  More than that, she made many appearances on radio and television, winning respect for her good humour and forthright defense of the unborn.

Elite group

She was also a champion fundraiser.  Not bad for someone who says, “I’m only a housewife from Don Mills.”  As the biographical sketch pointed out, she helped prick the conscience of a nation.

Bishop Pearse Lacey, representing the Archdiocese of Toronto, said that “Among all my meetings, I like most to be here.  I feel that you are a very elite group.”

Master of ceremonies Eric McLuhan was kept busy reading letters and telegrams of commendation, and introducing one speaker after another who paid tribute to Laura’s inspiring leadership and dedication to her task.  Before the evening was over, the head table was piled high with gifts, the most notable being a silver tea service presented by the Right to Life Association itself.

The toast to Laura was proposed by Gwen Landolt, who described their long association in very affectionate terms – saying that they had never had a disagreement.  Laura’s personal suffering as president, she said, has been tremendous; but she faced one disappointment after another with tremendous courage.

She strongly felt responsibility to speak for the unborn.  When the Supreme Court brought down its 1988 Morgentaler decision, she was there, because she said, “Someone has to be there.  Someone has to represent pro-life.”  She cares for the unborn; even the media recognized her as a genuine person.  Her outstanding characteristic, Gwen said, is her common sense.  She is guided by her religious faith, and she always has the support of her husband, Bill.

Jim Hughes, president of Campaign Life Coalition, paid tribute to Laura’s rock-like steadiness as a person about whom he never had to wonder what she would say.  “I always knew where she stood.”

In response, Laura said that her presidency was a family affair.  She always had support from her board of officers; she always had support from her own family, and never had a complaint from them.  Overwhelmed though she was by all the praise, she spoke movingly and effectively, and with gratitude for the expressions of appreciation for her work over the years.