Collection

Henry Morgentaler and Gertrude Katz

Description Level

Series

Material Type

textual record

Physical Description

7 textual records.

Scope and Content

Typed memoir, 'An Oxymoronic Marriage". 319 pages, covering the period 1959-1975. Added on July 4: Typed memoir Part 3, 'Battleground for Choice', 265 pages [Currently restricted as per donor's wishes]. Carl Katz interview on VHS and in VOB format on DVD, 1hr 3 minutes, done by the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre as part of their Witness to History series, March 12, 1997.Photos of Carl and Gertrude Katz, including 2 of Carl in the Merchant Marine, 1944. Photos of Henry and Mike Morgentaler and Henry's son Bami. Photos taken mostly by Carl Katz during a 1978 Poland trip to Lodz and Auschwitz by Mike Morgentaler, Gertrude and Carl Katz. There is a CD of digital photos as well. VHS Video and DVD about Henry Morgentaler (commercially made) 'A Matter of Choice' and 'Henry - Why does someone take on a cause?' VHS video about the Fredricton Clinic, October-November 1993 (apparently taped from television; copyright restrictions apply). Two animated films on VHS video by their daughter Sharon Katz; 'The Angel's Foot Cake', based on Yiddish poetry by Seymour Mayne, and 'Happy birthday Hannah'. Classical music CD (unopened) featuring daughter Linda Toulch on flute. Three paperback books; 'Morgentaler', by Eleanor Wright Pelrine; Aislin book of cartoons 'Allo Morgentaler - 150 caricatures', signed on cover by Henry Morgentaler; 'Deemed Suspect' by Erich Koch (related to collection through the donor's relation to former internee Bernard Tachauer.) Juno pin related to Juno Beach WWII experiences of donor's brother in law Norman Yaeger.

Date

1944-[1993].

Fonds No.

P0260

Series No.

c

History / Biographical

Born in Montreal in 1929, Gertrude Katz had a varied career path, much of which is reflected in her donated papers. In addition to her long-time association with Dr. Henry Morgentaler both as a friend and as a co-worker in the administration of his clinics, she studied interpretive dance with Françoise Sullivan in the 1940s, followed by a period after the birth of her two daughters when she taught post-natal calisthenics all the while assisting her husband Carl in his insurance brokerage. In the 1960s she joined the Committee for Neutral Schools where she took an active role. She was also involved in the formative years of the Golden Age Association (now the Cummings Centre for Seniors). Her literary career includes the writing of books of poetry and the teaching of creative writing to prison inmates. These teaching efforts led to the creation of the renowned book The Time Gatherers (1970), a collection of writings by and about the prisoners at St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary. Gertrude Katz was one of the directors of the 'Women's Information and Referral Centre', the first women's centre in Montreal. She served as Chief Financial Administrator for the Morgentaler clinics from 1978 until her retirement in 2005. Her feminist perspective and charitable focus with respect for others' views has been passed on and is carried through by her two daughters and three grandchildren. This portion of the collection also includes information about the WWII service of her husband Carl Katz, one of only two Jewish Canadians (along with Harry Gulkin) who served in the Merchant Marine. Gertrude and Carl Katz both passed away in Montreal; Gertrude in August 2022 and Carl in December 2023.

Custodial History

Collection was donated by Gertrude Katz on May 29. 2019. Addition was made on July 4, 2019

Notes

Alpha-numeric designations: P19/11, P19/11add.

Archival / Genealogical

Archival Descriptions

Repository

Canadian Jewish Archives

Less detail