PASSING THE FLAME: THE LEGACY OF WOMEN'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL 59 minutes 29 seconds

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Here is courage and unsung heroism; the enduring legacy of Toronto's Women's College Hospital. Imagine the guts it took to open the first medical college for women, the first hospital; to pry open borders to women's health.

PASSING THE FLAME is a moving tribute to the women and men of Women's College Hospital. A powerful weave of interviews, archives, and haunting re-enactments, the film spans a century of women's medical history; the challenges, achievements and unique spirit of caring.

It was in 1863 that Canada's first woman doctor was refused a medical education and had to study in the United States. Dr. Emily Stowe returned to returned to Toronto and waited 13 years for a reluctant male establishment to grant her a license to practice. Her quiet dignity and unwavering dedication to women's health led to the founding of Canada's first medical college for women, a women's hospital and a sacred trust that has passed on to several generations of women.

These women and men of Women's College Hospital are the giants of our community, pioneers who tended the poor, the immigrant, the returning World War soldier. They taught us about birth control, having babies, mammographies, pap smears, about how to strengthen our bones against osteoporosis. PASSING THE FLAME honours their place in history; their skills and innovation that gave Canada so many medical firsts.

HONOURABLE MENTION, COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL, 1998