Miss G and Me

Ruth Williamson, aka Miss G, grew up in Jamaica, then travelled to England for nursing training. Ruth then chose her own path, which led her to Canada. In rural Saskatchewan, she worked as a nurse while adjusting to the culture and climate of the Canadian Prairies. Ruth married Ian MacLeod in Saskatoon in 1971, blending cultures in a mixed-race marriage that was unusual for its era. She built a nursing career that spanned over forty years, and mentored women and children from other countries and backgrounds. It wasn’t until the nickname “Miss G” came up during a phone call from Jamaica that her daughter, author Jennifer Wallace, began asking more questions and unravelling the mysteries of her mother’s life. Jennifer uses anecdotes, journals, poetry, and personal essays to weave together the story of her mother, Ruth (Williamson) MacLeod – Miss G, and reflect on how some of her mother's experiences influenced her own life and those of her family and culture.