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These two women, Grace Labbe’ and Anne Burns-one led me to Home Economics, the other made me want to stay and make a difference. Grace Labbe’ was my Grade Ten (1965) Home Ec teacher in Ottawa at Notre Dame High School. Until her death notice of July 2022, I had no idea where she was. She was not in the OHEA archives, but I did know she graduated from St Francis Xavier. She was young and beautiful and could sew. She told her young students she had decorated her dorm room in white. It was work but she loved it. Right then and there I decided to become a Home Economist. My Mum encouraged me because she was Halifax born and my grandmother had a friend who graduated from Mount St Vincent, Mrs. Ethel Boyd. Her tea sandwich protocol I still follow. I wrote a note to Paule Labbe’, Mrs. Labbe’s daughter, to let her know and I met Paule at the funeral. I cried; she was gracious. Anne Burns, Aunt to Elizabeth Larmond-Elliot (Ottawa Home Economics) gave me my first Home Economics job, working at Health Canada, on her book-The Canadian Mother and Child. What a summer (1972), I learned much, is a vast understatement and I made a forever friend. She had graduated from Mount St Vincent in Halifax and became fast friends with my parents, Kae and Butch Boucher. I bet my Dad’s raspberry bushes still grow near her cottage property on the Gatineau River. She and Helen Sackville opened the door to emergency feeding in Canada and Anne spoke to Elizabeth to help me on my fourth-year research project on Canola. Anne also led me to contribute through the Government of Canada. I retired from government after 35 years. Anne’s honesty and integrity were part of that. Thank you both—I wish every home economics/dietetic student in Canada the privilege to know such people. I try to pass the torch.
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By: Pooja Mansukhani, RD, P.H.Ec.  Pooja Mansukhani, RD, P.H.Ec. Pooja Mansukhani is the Registered Dietitian and Food Safety Officer at KitchenMate, a food technology startup, which blends technology, culinary and nutrition expertise to provide companies in the GTA with delicious, nutritious and affordable meals at their workplace. She previously worked in university and college foodservices, most recently at the University of Toronto. Pooja earned her nutrition degree from Ryerson University and holds a degree in Honours Applied Economics Co-op from the University of Waterloo.
 Laura Thibodeau. Source: Laura Thibodeau By: Laura Thibodeau
What is a fun fact about yourself? During my previous degree, my friend and I decided to take up cross country skiing as a fun way to hang out and get in shape. Two years later in 2016 I placed in the top 15 female racers at the American Birkebeiner 24km Nordic ski race- which is part of the largest cross-country ski race in North America. By: Laura Thibodeau, OHEA Student member
There are countless benefits to seeking out mentoring relationships while studying. Not only does entering into a mentoring relationship allow opportunity for networking, finding mentors allows you to explore different areas of your field. Connecting to dietitians in different geographic regions could allow you to get a new perspective from a community that differs from yours, or learn how professionals in a similar situation address shared obstacles. Seeking out mentoring relationships is also an exercise in professional communication and can allow you to apply theoretical knowledge and concepts from school in real life situations. |
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