Stephen Lewis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Lewis
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Lewis in 2009
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| United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa | |
| In office 2001–2006 |
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| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Mataka |
| Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office 1984–1988 |
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| Prime Minister | Brian Mulroney |
| Preceded by | Gérard Pelletier |
| Succeeded by | Yves Fortier |
| Ontario Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 1975–1977 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Nixon |
| Succeeded by | Stuart Lyon Smith |
| Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party | |
| In office 1970–1978 |
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| Preceded by | Donald C. MacDonald |
| Succeeded by | Michael Cassidy |
| Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament | |
| In office 1963–1978 |
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| Preceded by | New district |
| Succeeded by | Richard Johnston |
| Constituency | Scarborough West |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Stephen Henry Lewis
November 11, 1937 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Spouse |
Michele Landsberg
(m. 1963) |
| Relations | Daniel Libeskind (brother-in-law) Naomi Klein (daughter-in-law) |
| Children | 3, including Avi Lewis |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Moishe Lewis (grandfather) |
| Residences | Toronto, Ontario |
Stephen Henry Lewis CC (born November 11, 1937) is a well-known Canadian. He has been a politician, a speaker, a broadcaster, and a diplomat. He led the Ontario New Democratic Party, a political group, for much of the 1970s.
His father, David Lewis, was also a political leader at the same time. After his political career, Stephen Lewis worked in radio and TV. In the 1980s, he became Canada's ambassador to the United Nations. Later, he worked for different UN groups. In the 2000s, he was a special helper for the UN, focusing on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. He also received the Order of Canada, a high honour.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Stephen Lewis was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on November 11, 1937. His parents were Sophie and David Lewis. They gave him the Hebrew name "Sholem," which means peace. This was because he was born on Armistice Day, a day for remembering peace.
When he was young, his father was a leader in a political party. In 1950, his family moved to Toronto. Stephen went to high school there. In 1956, he started at the University of Toronto. He joined the debating team. On November 14, 1957, he debated John F. Kennedy, who later became a US President. They debated if the United States had failed as a world leader. Stephen's team lost, but his performance was excellent.
He studied at the University of British Columbia for a year. He later returned to the University of Toronto but did not finish his final exams. He tried law school twice in the early 1960s but left both times.
Stephen Lewis's Political Journey
In the 1960s, Stephen Lewis left his studies. He took a job with the Socialist International, a group of political parties. He was invited to a meeting in Ghana, Africa. He decided to stay in Africa for over a year. He worked, traveled, and taught in different places. He later said this time in Africa greatly influenced his life.
Starting in Ontario Politics
In 1963, when he was 26, Stephen Lewis was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This is like being a representative for a part of Ontario. In 1970, he became the leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party. His first election as leader in 1971 was tough. His party's number of seats went down slightly.
Helping Workers and Leading the Opposition
Stephen Lewis strongly supported the Elliot Lake miners in 1974. He asked the Premier of Ontario, Bill Davis, to create a special group to study worker safety in mines. This led to a very important law in 1979. This law helps keep workplaces safe for everyone.
In the 1975 election, Lewis led a powerful campaign. He spoke with great passion and attracted many new supporters. His party focused on issues like fair rent prices and workplace safety. He told stories of people struggling in Ontario. He argued that better laws were needed to help them.
The polls showed his party gaining a lot of support. The Premier, William Davis, had to promise new reforms to keep his power. When the votes were counted, Lewis's party doubled its seats from 19 to 38. They became the Official Opposition, which means they were the main party against the government. Many thought the NDP would soon form the government.
Challenges and Stepping Down
However, the next election in 1977 was not as successful. The party's support stopped growing. They lost some seats and were reduced to 33. They also lost their role as Official Opposition. In 1978, Stephen Lewis decided to step down as party leader. He also left his position as a Member of Provincial Parliament.
After leaving politics, Lewis worked as a mediator for the Ontario Ministry of Labour. He also became a commentator on TV and radio. He appeared on a weekly political show on CBC Radio. In 1982, he won an award for his commentary.
Diplomatic and Academic Work
After working in media, Stephen Lewis was appointed Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations in 1984. He served in this important role until 1988.
From 1995 to 1999, Lewis was a deputy director at UNICEF. This organization helps children around the world. From 2001 to 2006, he was the United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. In this job, he brought a lot of attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. He convinced leaders and people everywhere that they needed to help. He was highly praised for his work in this role.
In 2005, he wrote a book called "Race Against Time." In it, he talked about how the world community promised to help Africa but didn't always act quickly enough. In 2006, he became a scholar at McMaster University.
Stephen Lewis Foundation
Stephen Lewis is the head of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This is a non-profit group that helps people in Africa who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2009, he helped with a campaign called "A Dare to Remember." This campaign raised money for his foundation. Stephen Lewis and other Canadians took on challenges or "dares" to encourage donations. He even sang live on TV, facing his own fear of singing in public!
AIDS-Free World
In 2007, Stephen Lewis and his colleague Paula Donovan started AIDS-Free World. This is another non-profit group. It works to find better ways for the world to respond to HIV and AIDS.
Stephen Lewis's Family
Stephen Lewis comes from a family of activists and public figures. His father, David Lewis, was also a leader of a federal political party in Canada. His grandfather, Moishe Lewis, was an activist in Jewish labour movements.
Stephen has three siblings. Two of them, Michael and Janet, were also involved in the Ontario NDP party. His sister Nina is married to the famous architect Daniel Libeskind.
Stephen Lewis is married to the journalist Michele Landsberg. Their son, Avi Lewis, is a broadcaster. Avi is married to the well-known journalist and author Naomi Klein. Stephen's daughters are Ilana Naomi Landsberg-Lewis and Jenny Leah Lewis. Ilana is the executive director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
In 2021, Stephen Lewis shared that he was receiving treatment for cancer.
Awards and Recognition
Stephen Lewis has received many honours for his work.
- In 2002, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honours for his humanitarian work.
- In 2005, he gave the annual Massey Lecture. These talks were published as a book called Race Against Time: Searching for Hope in AIDS-Ravaged Africa. The book talks about the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and how the world responded.
- In 2006, two new high schools in Ontario were named after him: Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Mississauga and Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Vaughan. The Mississauga school focuses on teaching students about social justice.
- In 2007, he received the World Citizenship Award. He also received an award for health and human rights leadership. The King of Lesotho, a country in Africa, also gave him a special honour.
- In 2010, Forbes magazine named him one of the "World's Most Powerful Feminists."
- In 2013, he received an award from the University of Toronto. This was for his work in advancing human rights related to sex education.
Stephen Lewis has received 33 honorary degrees from universities. Most of these are from Canadian institutions. This is one of the highest numbers of honorary degrees held by any Canadian.
Images for kids
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Stephen Lewis speaking at the University of Alberta in 2006.
