The list of memorable Manitobans compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society is extensive and impressive, rich with outstanding and noteworthy people who created a lasting legacy.
Trailblazer, volunteer and politician Olga Fuga more than earned her place on that list. Committed to the people of Winnipeg, a city she loved, the dynamic activist exemplified generosity of spirit and care, mentoring young women and inspiring others along the way to take action to benefit the community.
Receiving the Order of Canada in 1987 and the Order of Manitoba in 2013 among a host of other honours and awards in her lifetime — Fuga’s accomplishments were substantial, especially at a time when representation by women and first-generation Canadians was not common.
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Olga Fuga, centre, flanked by son Dale and daughter-in-law Cynthia, celebrated her 90th birthday a few years back.
In living out her convictions, she quickly became a powerful example for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Fuga died at her home in Winnipeg on July 6, 2024, at age 94.
Fuga grew up on Prince Street, in Winnipeg’s North End, and graduated from Isaac Newton School.
Her daughter Lesley Fuga fondly remembers the early years: seeing her parents roller-skating together, heading off to attend question period at the legislature, and dancing.
“They loved to dance, and they did it beautifully.
“Her office was in our kitchen on Burrows Avenue. She loved talking with people — hearing their stories and concerns, and helping to solve problems. She could take a joke and had the tough skin politicians need.
“We grew up unaware that most young mothers did not have the opportunity to meet with premiers or participate in decision-making beyond children, education and caregiving. At the time, it was mostly a men’s club of only people with a certain background,” she said, about a gender-biased era.
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Olga Fuga, from childhood to the end, was known for her smile and, says one friend, being ‘full of the joy of living.’
In the 1950s, while raising her family, Fuga began her life in politics achieving local and national recognition. She was elected trustee for the Winnipeg School Board in 1963, and later became its chair. Fuga rain in the 1966 provincial election campaign but lost to Syd Green.
In 1971, she and three other women were elected to the 51-person Unicity council, an unprecedented achievement. Fuga served countless community organizations and cultural groups, giving her skills and time to committees, boards and agencies.
As a Winnipeg city councillor in the early ’70s, her leading role in advocacy and fundraising resulted in the opening of the Seven Oaks General Hospital in 1981. Spearheading support to build the Wellness Institute, she proudly became its first member.
“She was a force of nature who helped shape Winnipeg,” said longtime family friend Sandi Krawchenko-Altner, who remembers growing up in a house with lots of parties and people dropping by, including Fuga and her husband.
“Olga, a woman of substance and unusual energy, always greeted us with a smile and a hug. Wicked smart, well-informed, and always full of the joy of living, she made a very large impression on me from the very beginning. Olga was devoted to her family and dedicated to serving her community.
“She had already entered politics by the time I was born, actively fighting for better education policies as a school board member. She was the first woman to sit as the chair of the Winnipeg School Board, and later went on to serve on Winnipeg city council where she chaired the executive policy committee.”
Krawchenko-Altner says Fuga was a primary influence in life and she treasures the friendship they formed and the insights she gained.
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Daughter Lesley Fuga fondly remembers the early years and how her parents loved dancing. ‘And they did it beautifully.’
“I learned early on that we are all responsible for each other, and for the health of our communities. My life has been enriched by these many experiences where, even as a child, I was able to listen to adults express their opinions, debate policies, and fight for their opportunities and their causes.
“My path was informed by these impressive experiences where I learned that it was always best to read widely and to listen to divergent points of view, think for yourself, and speak up when you had something important on your mind.”
In the eulogy he gave for his mother, Fuga’s son Dale declared that his mother was — through her actions and words — a teacher.
“She showed us constantly that she loved us unconditionally. She was fully committed to and supportive of her family. She also instilled within all of us a true sense of community spirit. She has shown us the benefits of giving of oneself for the greater good of others — the community. She taught us resilience, to respect others and their opinions, even if we differed, and to recognize that our success was as the result of others.”
Friend and colleague Zorianna Hyworon met Fuga over 60 years ago when her family moved near the Fuga home.
“I was 14, about to start high school and Olga was 30, a young wife and mother about to start her professional career in political and community service. Although each was on the cusp of different stages in our lives, we bonded almost immediately. Sitting at her kitchen table, helping Olga practice a speech she was to deliver in Ukrainian, I watched as she kept an eye on little Lesley at play while taking calls from a concerned parent reporting an issue at their child’s school.
“Her answer was, ‘Let me check into this and get back to you.’ And she did just that. She demonstrated the basic building block of our democratic system: an elected official committed to serving the people she represented. Olga drafted me into working on my first election campaign, working the phones and pounding the streets: democracy at work from the bottom up.
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Olga Fuga’s office was in the kitchen, says daughter Lesley Fuga. ‘She loved talking with people — hearing their stories and concerns, and helping to solve problems.’
“Olga learned the lessons of politics, governance and networking very quickly and very well, gaining the friendship and support of most who had the honour of working with her. And most importantly, she was willing to share these lessons with those of us starting our work in the community. She taught us the fine points of political lobbying, working together as a fine-tuned team astutely navigating the system to achieve our common goal.”
Hyworon remembered Fuga as an optimist who accepted disappointment with a cheerful outlook, telling her, “Zorianna, I’ve had a good life, I have done what I felt needed to be done. I have a great family and wonderful friends — I’m OK living with my challenges and limitations. I’m good. I’ve been blessed.”
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca