Toronto Dollar Party Celebrity Auction
Brooms from “Women of Power” Winner Comments

From the Women of Power Table:

We may not have raised a lot of money--but we certainly brought joy
into the lives of many, if not all, of the winners. I have never seen
so many people absolutely thrilled by their winnings.

One women picked a particular broom (she didn't know what to pick). I mentioned to her that Barbara Hall's broom contained Hall's message about being held up on the street many years ago. The woman had no idea who Barbara Hall is. But she read the message and then said "I
must have it!! I must have it!! I, too, was mugged on the streets". I told her all about Barbara Hall.

Thanks, Joy.

Laura Cooper, Organizer of BroomsAuction.

Lisa Voutt

How beautiful! June's note on the broom was one of my favourites! Joy, can you believe my name was the first one called to win in the broom raffle!!! I was working on the auction when Barb Turnbull came flying over to me..."Lisa, you're the first winner!" I ran as fast as I could to quickly select Lois Wilson's broom! My wishes came true! This has never happened to me! I have never one a raffle. What a great feeling! I felt like Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory....getting the golden ticket in the bar of chocolate!

Kiloran:

What a wonderful story – this alone makes it all worthwhile – and the great thing is that this story was repeated in many different and extraordinary ways with all 25 brooms – all of which reached and touched people. For instance, the woman who successfully bid for Barbara Turnbull’s broom in the live auction had never met Barbara before but has always admired her – and then was able to meet her in person and have a long chat. Ben Chin won Marilyn Churley’s broom with high bids in the live auction – and then immediately donated it to the woman who had been desperately bidding against him; I was able to win Nancy Ruth’s hockey stick and my partner got Olivia Chow’s broom – both those women are inspirations to us as well as personal friends. Much good will was swept in. Congratulations to all. Cheers,

Nancy Graham

YES, I did indeed come home with june's broom!!
N ot surprisingly, it's a very practical, sturdy, 6-string corn broom that i will dutifully use as june requested: "please use this broom to sweep away the evils gandhi described as 'untruth, injustice and humbug.' when that is done, sweep in kindness, beauty and decency. don't give up trying."
as an added bonus, my new june broom works in another powerful way:

I n spite of dashing full speed (like an eager molly maid) along front street from the market to union station, i missed the westbound go train by 1 minute so had to ride my new june broom home deep into the wilds of etobicoke...was going to email you as soon as i arrived, but boy, was i ever tuckered!! :>)

By the way, did i explain why i wanted june's broom in particular? I had the extremely good fortune of meeting june in 1996 via the (then) north york public library’s writer-in-residence program. her unfailing support, guidance, mentorship, friendship and zest for life over the yeas has been an ever so precious constant in my life...

J une's signed broom now hangs symbolically on the wall above my computer, alongside the framed version of her prescription for 'sweeping clean'...

T hank you joy, for your dedication to the toronto dollar event and for encouraging writers to come out and participate*...

*the single copy of 'afraid of the day: a daughter's journey' (women's press 2003) did indeed find another home - rather quickly i might add...

W arm Regards,
Nancy Graham