100 years of Hazel McCallion: Mississauga Art Gallery celebrates former mayor with photo exhibit

The Art Gallery of Mississauga pays homage to former Mayor Hazel McCallion with a photo exhibition that tells the story of her life spanning 100 years.

The local centennial is one of Mississauga’s most notable figures, paving the way for women in politics, sport and more.

“HAZEL: 100 Years of Memories” will be held until February 28, 2022 with an official opening and ribbon cutting at 11 am on October 26.

The exhibit will be available virtually as well as in person at a 1,000 square foot gallery in downtown Erin Mills.

McCallion is the fifth mayor of Mississauga and was first elected to this post in November 1978.

She held her position until 2014, overseeing the massive growth and development of the city.

She was a relatively new mayor when the Mississauga train derailment happened and she held press conferences during the sprained ankle crisis.

McCallion also played professional women’s hockey and began her career before entering politics at an engineering firm in Montreal before moving to Toronto. McCallion was first mayor of Streetsville before becoming mayor of Mississauga.

She married her husband Sam McCallion in 1951 and raised three children. Her husband was the founder of the Streetsville Booster newspaper and a staunch supporter of the community. He died in 1997.

The exhibition is curated by Madeleine Ghesquiere VanDuzer with the support of many community organizations, including the Community Foundation of Mississauga.