The passing of Muriel Duckworth on August 22, 2009 was not only a loss for Nova Scotia, but for the world. Her legacy will live on for generations to come. Duckworth was a passionate pacifist who crusaded for human rights, women’s rights, and social justice.

Though not a native Haligonian, her passion and activism had been carried out in the region for close to 60 years. She remained active right up to her death, including her support in organizing recent anti-Iraq war protests in Halifax.

In addition to working for the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Duckworth’s crowning achievement in her career was as national President of Voice of Woman and a founding member of The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women.

In 1982, Duckworth chaired a delegation of representatives to present the Women's Petition for Peace to the United Nations's Second Special Session on Disarmament. Duckworth also sat on numerous committees, and until her death had been a sitting board member for Oxfam since 1975.

1974 and 1978 she ran as a candidate for the New Democratic Party at the tender ages of 66 and 70. Her lifelong dedication to her cause has inspired the next generations of activists who have posted tweets and Facebook messages reflecting on Duckworth and her life.

Her work has been widely recognized by many awards and honorary degrees, including the Lester B. Pearson Peace Medal, appointment to the Order of Canada, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Her legacy can be best summarized in her own words: “education and the peace movement have grown from the same root — knowledge.”

Click here to read her full obituary at Chronicleherald.ca.