By Erin Knutson

Following the recent passing of Anne Edwards on Oct. 15 in Calgary, Alberta, the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History (CBIRH) was pleased to learn that the generous and community-minded spirit of Edwards was still present in a $10,000 donation bequeathed to the Institute from the matriarch in her will.

“Anne served history well – she was on the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) board and helped the Institute with funding support while promoting multiple heritage projects and institutions,” said CBIRH Founder and Historian Derryll White and longtime friend of Edwards.

White helped Edwards unseat former cabinet minister Terry Segarty, a member of Bill Vander Zalm’s Social Credit government, in the 1986 election.

“Anne entered politics as a novice in 1986; she quickly became a great study of the political process and political needs,” said White.

She became Minister for Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, notably the first woman to do so under the leadership of Mike Harcourt and the NDP in 1991.

The educator, journalist, politician, philanthropist and mother of four worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community during her time in East Kootenay.

Edwards took a posting as an editor and reporter at the Cranbrook Daily Townsman for several years following the start of her journalism career after her husband Mike Edwards’s untimely death in an aeronautic accident in Cranbrook in 1969.

She worked for several publications and continued to freelance, authoring several books from her home in Moyie before relocating to Calgary for the remainder of her life.

“I am not surprised at her generosity. Anne was a great asset to the arts, heritage and culture sector here,” said White.

Anne served as the president of CBIRH from 2009-2014, championing heritage interests in the Columbia Basin.

According to White, Anne was passionate about community organizations, including School District No. 5, the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Foundation, BC Heritage Trust, and local theatre, to name a few of her many interests and where she contributed her time and vision. Her efforts were instrumental in the eventual arrival of Key City Theatre.

During her tenure at East Kootenay Community College, now College of the Rockies, she taught Business and Technical Writing and English Literature and Composition in the English Department.

Edwards was a woman who furthered the rights of women to hold high office, inspiring others to be very influential in their communities.

“Through all of her undertakings and offices, she held family, community, and friends at the centre of her life – this $10,000 reflects that and will go a long way to help our fundraising campaigns,” said White.

Lead image: Cominco Kimberley Operation, Sullivan Mine 1994 – Mine Rescue Competition. BC Mine Rescue Champs, L-R: Gerry Fitzpatrick, Bruce Reid, Doug Wheeler, Trevor Fedyk, Honorable Anne Edwards (Min. of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources), Clark Millner, Randy Reichert, Bruce Hamm. Images courtesy of the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History and the Kimberley District Heritage Society

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