June Callwood Essay

Billy Graham once said, "The one badge of Christian discipleship is not orthodoxy but love." By this definition, June Callwood, a social activist and journalist, displays true discipleship through her work of bringing awareness to groups often discriminated against. June loved everybody equally and realized that gender, age, pecuniary possessions, or race do not define a person's worth. In other words, June Callwood is a disciple because she worked towards making a better world where the rights of every human are respected.
June Callwood was born in Chatham, Ontario in 1924 and later raised in Belle River. During this time, her life at home was unstable. Her childhood was spent living in poverty, facing evictions, and watching people eat, knowing

she was not going to feel food in her stomach that night. At 16, June was forced to drop out of high school and work to fill in the gap of her estranged father’s salary. She scored a job at the Brantford Expositor, where her journalism career took off. The struggles and hardships June had to endure throughout her childhood are reflected in her writing. Those events moved her to raise awareness by writing about others going through the struggles of poverty, loneliness, and hunger.
June is remembered for her work in social justice and activism. She dedicated her life to ameliorating the lives of others. Along with writing hundreds of articles about social issues, June co-hosted the television program Caregiving with June Callwood to help people care for their family, spouse, or others. In addition, June established over 50 social action organizations, including Digger House, a hospice for homeless youth, Nellie’s, a shelter for women, Jessie’s, a support house for teenage parents and Feminists Against Censorship. Modesty and humbleness was what made June so charming; she did not promote herself as someone who can solve all problems, but rather identified herself with the group. For instance, in 1968 June was arrested in Yorkville after siding with homeless youth who were in a feud with the police. June respected those who were discriminated against, cared for the abandoned, fed the hungry, and loved those who no one else would love. Most of all, she worked to reverse the ignorance and fear that plagued the minds of the privileged. In Toronto, a park and street are named after her in honour of the changes she made.
Important events that take place during one's life influence the decisions they make.

June married Trent Frayne in 1994, however kept her single name because The Globe and Mail did not hire married women. This is what drove June to fight for women's rights. In 1982, June's youngest son Casey was killed in a motorcycle accident. In addition, June was accused of racism. All these events hurt June but she always sprung back and learned from them. June lived a fulfilling, brave life. She died at 82 on April 14, 2007 after a four year battle with cancer. When Margaret Frazer died of cancer, June expressed her belief that a person should pass with loving caregivers by their side. June died with her family and close friends by her

side.
Despite not having a strong religious belief, June Callwood is the epitome of excellent Christian Discipleship. June showed all the characteristics of a disciple; she was resilient, humble, charitable, gentle, and did not fear persecution. June's impact on Christianity was so strong that it left a permanent mark the hearts of those she saved. Through her actions, June made it clear that it doesn't matter whether someone is atheist, Christian, or Muslim, kindness is not a 'religion thing.' Rather, it is a human thing. That said, anybody can make a positive difference in the world just by showing compassion, empathy, and kindness. If someone is being ignored, acknowledge them. If someone is left behind, walk with them. If someone is being laughed at, stand up for them. Doing little things may seem minor and mundane, but they may completely alter the course of someone's day. In addition, June taught that it is important to form an opinion of someone or something based on something more substantial than stereotypes or gossip. Not all teenage parents are irresponsible; not all women are dependent on men; not all of the poor are lazy; not all homeless youth are reckless derelicts.
The four elements of a just world, are important because they ensure that the human rights of every living person are respected.

June Callwood worked towards a just world by bringing awareness in those whose rights were ignored. June had a concern for basic rights because she worked towards providing subordinate groups with the basic needs they are entitled to. In 1974 and 1988 June founded Nellie's and Casey House, respectfully. These organizations help women in crisis and provide care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Every human has the right to equal opportunity, shelter, and healthcare. June provided the homeless, the sick, and the disregarded the needs that they lack. Other than physical and abstract possessions, people also have the right to be respected and feel good about themselves. June had a concern for the personal dignity of women. June co-founded Feminists Against Censorship, and Toronto Prostitutes' Community Service Project, where she defended women who chose to enter pornography and prostitution. Her argument was that women are just as entitled to freedom of expression and reproductive choice as men. June promoted the personal power, worth and dignity of women. She established that women have the right to choose when, how and if they use their bodies without input from men. In addition, June had a concern for solidarity because she saw the lack of unity among people. Rather than a single group of equal human beings, the society was divided into rather

demeaning groups. For instance, the HIV/AIDS group, the homeless group, and the poor group were all left at the bottom of the social hierarchy. It was not a society that let people have basic needs and self-esteem. Solidarity was needed to change the structure of the society. The society itself was not only flawed amongst the general population, but also amongst social structures. June had a concern for social structure because she questioned the validity and efficacy of the police system. In 1968, June attempted to stop police violence against homeless youth in a Yorkville riot. She was consequentially arrested. Police are supposed to protect the vulnerable and make them feel safe, as well as enforce law. However, June noticed that the system was flawed in that it was using violence against unarmed youth and tried to change this. In conclusion, June applied all four elements of a just world into her life and used them to reach her goal of creating a respectful world.
June earned many awards for her work in bringing awareness to those whose rights were discarded. June was added into the Canadian News Hall of Fame and was awarded the Toronto Arts Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. She also received the Order of Ontario as well as all three prestigious ranks of the Order of Canada.
Motivated by her own childhood struggles, June Callwood worked towards breaking down the social structures and class restrictions that seemed to define the worth of people. June proved that any obstacle can be bypassed with kindness and compassion. In fact, when asked what beliefs she held, June said she "[believes] in kindness." June's legacy can be defined in two words - affirmative action. She witnessed discrimination, realized it violated human rights, and did something about it. June Callwood is a true disciple because she made the world a better, more just place through media and social actions.