Taylor, Tillie (1922-)

Tillie Taylor (née Goldenberg), lawyer and magistrate, has had a lifelong commitment to social justice. Born on November 11, 1922, she was the eldest of the four children of J.M. Goldenberg, a Saskatoon lawyer, and Sarah Goldenberg. In her youth, she was active in the Youth Congress Movement, an international organization aimed at finding solutions to poverty and conflict. In 1941 she received a BA degree from the University of Saskatchewan and married George Taylor, later a prominent labour lawyer. Returning to university after the birth of two daughters, she received her LLB degree in 1956. She worked as a deputy registrar in the Land Titles Office in the Saskatoon law school. In 1960, she became the first woman to be appointed to the ranks of magistrates who later became judges of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan. She continued to demonstrate a commitment to social justice through work with the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Justice, the Canadian Council for Social Development, and the John Howard Society. In 1972, she became the first chairperson of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission; in this position, she helped to develop the mandate of the Commission and to set its direction. On retirement from the bench, she continued to participate in community organizations. In 1996, she received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

Beth Bilson