News & Media

International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day and at the Town of Ladysmith we are celebrating the late former Councilor and Mayor Kay Grouhel! 

First elected to Council in 1962, Kay successfully ran for mayor in 1964 and served in that role for 12 years.  She is Ladysmith’s first and only female mayor and also the first female president of the Union of BC Municipalities.

We can all thank Kay for her role in spearheading the acquisition of a plot of land that we all know today as Transfer Beach Park.   In 1971, Kay welcomed Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to Ladysmith’s popular waterfront park as the royals were treated to a logger sports demonstration.

During her time on Council, the Town built the new Fire Hall and Public Works building.  The sidewalks downtown were also redesigned during her tenure in order to improve the overall aesthetic and increase pedestrian safety, earning Mayor Grouhel the nickname ‘Concrete Kay.’

Ladysmith also upgraded the Town sewers and treatment plant to stop raw discharge from entering the harbour and 45 Dogwood trees were planted on the west side of what is now the Trans-Canada Highway through Ladysmith.

Talk about progress!