Elinor Gill Ratcliffe to receive St. John's highest honour

City Hall in St. John's will give well-known philanthropistElinor Gill Ratcliffe the Freedom of the City, the highest honour it can award.

• Philanthropist driving force behind Beaumont-Hamel exhibit
• Why a philanthropist was motivated to help build a Beaumont-Hamel exhibit

The honourrecognizes the outstanding efforts of the well-known philanthropist.

"We can think of no one more worthy of this honour," St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe said.

"Ms. Gill Ratcliffe has contributed so much to enrich the cultural heritage of our city."

At the weekly council meetingMonday night, the mayor spokeof hermany public artdonations.

Among those donations arethe Spencer Girl at Rawlins' Cross, the Rower at Quidi Vidi Lakeand the George Street sculpture.

O'Keefecited a long list of organizations Gill Ratcliffe has supported,including the millions of dollars she has donated to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery at The Rooms.

Gill Ratcliffe donated$3.2 million to helpcreate Canada's largest First World War exhibit, which will open July 1 this year on the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel.

"She is gentle, giving and kind," he said.

"[She] has shown us how we can and should create a community of support and togetherness."

The medal will be added to Gill Ratcliffe's long list of awards, which includesthe Order of Canada, the Order of
Newfoundland and Labrador and an honorary degree from Memorial University.

The St. John's woman was nominated for the award by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

A special ceremony will be held for Gill Ratcliffeon Thursday night.