Sally Henry Memorial Award Winner—1995
Helen Hatton
by Margaret Thibeault
Enthusiastic, refreshingly upbeat, generous, passionate and a tireless promoter of the home economics profession! These adjectives aptly describe Helen Hatton.
Helen's passionate zest for life in general, and for her profession in particular, is self-evident to anyone who knows her. Her most memorable contribution to our association is the HEIB Hall of Fame Award. In addition to initiating this Award, Helen continues to take responsibility for its presentation, including extensive research on and enthusiastic introductions of, the recipients.
Helen began her career working for General Electric at the New York World's Fair, following her completion of a Home Economics degree at Florida State University. True to her love of new places and people, Helen traveled to London and took a position with Harrods Department Store as their Home Economist. Upon her return to the USA, Helen continued her career as Household Equipment Assistant Editor at McCall's Magazine; Director of Consumer Services for the Fairmont Foods Company; then Public Relations Home Economist for Reynolds Metal Company. She has since represented many well-known companies, primarily as a spokesperson touring the United States. In 1982 she came to Canada, where she continued her freelance career as a spokesperson and consultant for many multinational firms.
Helen's credits also include a PBS program, "Eat Well, Be Well", the first television series to deal with diet, nutrition and food. It has been broadcast on public television throughout the world and its cookbook became a best seller.
Helen's memberships in organizations are numerous. In addition to the Home Economics associations, Helen is also a member of the Toronto Culinary Guild (where she is presently program co-chair), and she belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution and is an Honourary member of the United Empire Loyalists.
Helen is also a tireless volunteer. A regular AGO volunteer, she worked long hours at the Barnes Exhibit, using her talents to achieve record sales of "AcoustiGuides", which was the fund-raising project for the volunteer committee. In typical fashion (Who can say no to Helen?), she recruited many of her fellow Home Economists to become volunteers as well.
Earlier this year, as a volunteer for the National Ballet Company, she was involved with promoting the annual fund raising "Point to Point" race and organizing the music and attractions along the route for runners and walkers.
As a breast cancer survivor, Helen constantly works to increase awareness of this disease with TV appearances, press interviews and other ways to publicize the current efforts of the association and the need for further research. She was the opening speaker at the Ontario Breast Cancer breakfast meeting, launching last October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Helen travels the world like most of us ride the subway. She and her husband, Ron Morris, exchange homes when they travel, enabling them to immerse themselves in the culture and food of a region. She takes advantage of her experiences to research the food and wine of an area and shares this with everyone through her contributions to Canadian Living and Wine Tiding magazines.
Helen makes a difference wherever she goes. Whether promoting Canada, her profession, or one of her many interests, Helen's enthusiasm is infectious. Her positive attitude, her indomitable spirit and her willingness to "pitch in", makes believers of us all. We are very proud to have Helen as one of our members and we extend to Helen our warmest congratulations.