Just a quick note to let you all know that as I am undergoing chemotherapy at the moment there are times that I get Chemo brain a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction (as described by the Mayo Clinic) . So if my writing seems slightly off over the next few months we will blame it on the chemo brain.
Before leaving Edmonton I knew that I would need to upgrade my skill set especially when it came to computers so I enrolled in a computer basic course at the Alberta Institute of Micro Computing. This is where I picked up all my word-processing, excel and basic programming skills. It was a great program and I excelled completing the program with a 98%. That little diploma was probably one of the best choices I ever made in terms of my career path. Once back in Toronto I was able to sign up with the Valerie Gilmore one of Toronto’s up and coming employment agencies. I started out working temporary assignments and because I was a quick study with all things computer and looked and dressed professionally I was in high demand. After a few months I finally landed a temporary assignment with Campeau Corporation and Rolly Villemare, Vice President, Accounting who later became my friend and mentor.
Campeau was relocating the head office from Ottawa to Toronto (360 Bay Street) and Rolly was responsible for making that happen. I reported to him as his Administrative Assistant and we worked so well together he decided that he would like to have me work for him full-time. In order to do this I was required o take a test on the new AS400 word processing system. Knowing that I did not have the knowledge of this particular system I went to their HR department asked for the manual and crammed that night in preparation of the test in the morning. I will admit I was not totally confident that I would be able to pull it off but I did and was hired that afternoon and flew to Ottawa to work with Rolly moving the office to Toronto. This was such an exciting time in my life and career wise I was on the fast track with my mentor Rolly directing my every move. I was moving in circles I only dreamed of making lots of money and wining and dining with the high rollers of Toronto’s high society. There were lots of formal parties with top executives, drinking lunches and after work heavy socializing with staff members. It was a period of excess in everything. I had a pair of shoes to go with every outfit in my closet and there were many. Spending $500 on a pair of shoes or clothes was nothing. I had beautiful business suits one for every day of the week. With Rollly’s support I moved from Administrative Assistant to Manager in Office Services and then HR Manager with an Administrative Assistant named Claire who mothered me more than my own mother and I loved her for it. I was a black business manager on Bay Street one of the first.
During this period one of my main responsibilities was the build out of the 57 and 58th floor of Scotia Plaza with a two million dollar budget. One memorable moment was taking a ride up the construction elevator to the 58th floor for a meeting when there was no glass, just open air and sky between the concrete slabs. The view of Toronto was amazing. During this meeting someone dropped a piece of metal piping at the other end of the floor and you could feel the slab floor vibrate. This was not a good moment in my life the height, the openness, and the vibrating floor just about unhinged me and sent me into panic. Fortunately, the meeting was concluding and I was able to escape back down 58 floors in a cage on the outside of the building. Needless to say I turned down any further meetings up there until the floors were enclosed. When the building was complete it was a beautiful copper red structure that graced the Toronto skyline and still does today. The two floors 57 and 58 which I managed to influence and organize the build out and furnishings were absolutely beautiful. My office was on the 57th floor facing east all dark wood and glass with a great view of the lake.
As I mentioned before this was a time of excess and the staff partied together, worked together and it was a time prior to setting work policies covering things like smoking in the office, interoffice relationships, or sexual harassment. Those issues and polices came in play just before Campeau Corporation started its decline and ultimate downfall. Just before the decline I met my third husband. He was a computer IT employee and I was immediately attracted to his genius and computer skills and his shy and unique personality. I still remember all the very creative emails I would open in the mornings and then go into panic mode because I could not get them of my screen. We dated and partied fell in love and had a terrific wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii and then had a beautiful daughter together. I will go into more detail about this marriage another day. But, my Campeau days would not have been complete without mentioning the love, romance and marriage that took place during that time.
With the downfall of the Campeau Corporation it meant the termination of most staff and I was asked in a very private meeting of the board if my loyalties were with the corporation or with Mr. Campeau. Rolly was Mr. Campeau’s right hand man and by association my loyalty was in question. At the time I thought it was in my best interest and critical to my financial survival to convince them I was a company woman and that I needed the job. Throughout the years I’ve questioned that decision. Thinking that maybe had I said Mr. Campeau I might be living in Europe financially secure right now. But, I didn’t and therefore in the end helped layoff most everyone and then finally myself.
Campeau Corporation was the highlight of my working life and gave me confidence and pride. Working on Bay Street during that period was a very big accomplishment for a young black woman and will forever put a big smile on my face when I remember the fun and personal success of that time.