The Story of Mary Dohey's Cross of Valour
Date: Mar 26
2:30 pm
- 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture
Born in Saint Bride's, Newfoundland in 1933, and raised in Red Head Cove, Mary Dohey was the first living person, and first woman to receive the Cross of Valour Award. This is Canada?s highest award for civilian bravery, and was presented to Mary on December 1st, 1975. She was honoured with this award after she put her own life in danger in order to save the lives of fellow staff, and passengers on a DC-8 aircraft flying from Calgary, Alberta. Mary Dohey trained as a psychiatric nurse before becoming a flight attendant with Trans-Canada Air Lines (today Air Canada). On November 12, 1971 Mary put that training to use as she talked down an armed hijacker. During an eight hour ordeal Mary discouraged the man from taking any other violent measures. Mary?s act of bravery in the face of such danger saved the lives of over 200 people. Mary returned to her work as a flight attendant, retiring in 1991, and passing away in 2017 at the age of 83. Join Curator of History Maureen Power to learn more about Mary's story, and see the Cross of Valour Award on display at The Rooms. ASL/English Interpreting Services are available through NLAD by request only to ASLservices@therooms.ca or 709-757-8090. We will do our best to accommodate requests made within two weeks of the scheduled event.
Today's Events & Programs
Winter may be here, but there’s no need to stay home!
Join us at The Rooms to exercise and socialize during this colder and drearier time of year. While strolling throughout the building and enjoying both the exhibitions and the views, participants will focus on a different spotlight item from our collection each week. After our stroll, staff will lead a brief discussion on the weekly spotlight, and then everyone is encouraged to stay and socialize with friends new and old.
Following the Senior's Stroll, we will open our art gallery classroom for a guided art activity. All materials are provided, and everyone is welcome to attend.
No registration is needed. Included with the cost of admission ($7.80 plus HST for seniors), free for members.
For further information, please contact catherineoneill@therooms.ca
Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador
Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
In this conversation, writers and educators Rhea Rollmann and Daze Jefferies explore the possibilities of queer and trans worldmaking that are present across Erica Rutherford and Matthew-Robin Nye’s art and exhibitions. With specific attention to depictions of the child and childhood, and to the value of wonder in today's world, they reflect on the lived experiences, hopes, and dreams of trans and gender creative youth in Atlantic Canada.
This is a free program but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling 709-757-8090.
Rhea Rollmann (she/her) is an award-winning journalist, writer and audio producer based in St. John's, NL, and is the author of A Queer History of Newfoundland (Engen Books, 2023). She is a founding editor of The Independent NL and her journalism has appeared in Briarpatch Magazine, CBC, Xtra Magazine, Chatelaine, PopMatters, Riddle Fence, Macleans and more. Her academic work has been published in the Journal of Gender Studies, Labor Studies Journal, Canadian Woman Studies, Journal of Work and Society, Canadian Theatre Review, Canadian Review of Sociology, Screen Bodies and elsewhere. She also has an extensive background in labour organizing and queer/trans activism, and she is Station Manager at CHMR-FM, a community radio station in St. John's.
Daze Jefferies (she/her) is a white settler artist, writer, and educator based in Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). Her multidisciplinary, research-based practice explores queer, trans, and sex worker embodiments, counter-histories, and intergenerational relationships in Atlantic Canada. Her work has been exhibited and performed at The Rooms, Eastern Edge Artist-Run-Centre, and the Grenfell Art Gallery, with upcoming exhibitions at Union House Arts and the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2023 Emerging Artist Award and 2025 Milestone Award from VANL-CARFAC.
A new year – a new round of trivia! Get your thinking caps on, settle in with your friends and get ready for some exciting Trivia!
Join host Ramona Dearing for an evening of questions inspired by the history, geography, and the culture of the province.
Teams of 2-6 people. Cash bar available and Prizes!
Ramona Dearing is a writer and a retired host of CBC Radio’s CrossTalk and its popular Trivia editions.
Tickets: $12 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling 709-757-8090.