Elinor Gill Ratcliffe to receive St. John's highest honour
City Hall in St. John's will give well-known philanthropist Elinor Gill Ratcliffe the Freedom of the City, the highest honour it can award.
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The honour recognizes the outstanding efforts of the well-known philanthropist.
"We can think of no one more worthy of this honour," St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe said.
"Ms. Gill Ratcliffe has contributed so much to enrich the cultural heritage of our city."
At the weekly council meeting Monday night, the mayor spoke of her many public art donations.
Among those donations are the Spencer Girl at Rawlins' Cross, the Rower at Quidi Vidi Lake and the George Street sculpture.
O'Keefe cited a long list of organizations Gill Ratcliffe has supported, including the millions of dollars she has donated to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery at The Rooms.
Gill Ratcliffe donated $3.2 million to help create Canada's largest First World War exhibit, which will open July 1 this year on the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel.
"She is gentle, giving and kind," he said.
"[She] has shown us how we can and should create a community of support and togetherness."
The medal will be added to Gill Ratcliffe's long list of awards, which includes the Order of Canada, the Order of
Newfoundland and Labrador and an honorary degree from Memorial University.
The St. John's woman was nominated for the award by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
A special ceremony will be held for Gill Ratcliffe on Thursday night.