Mary Lou Harrison is the daughter of a Rotarian and a Rotary Ann. She grew up volunteering at Rotary events and projects of all sorts. Her early exposure to the Rotary family included hosting exchange students attending the Rotary International Convention in Toronto in 1983.

A strong advocate for the role of women in Rotary, Mary Lou renewed her relationship with Rotary after watching female members of the Rotary Club of Parkdale-High Park interviewed on television about the creation of The Redwood Shelter. However, she didn’t join Rotary until several years later when someone asked her! Thank you to Rotarian Scott Allison.

Mary Lou is a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, and an active member of the Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise. This in no way means that she is a morning person!

Her district roles have included the positions of Assistant Governor, Vocational Service Chair, Co-Chair of RADAR (Rotary Action for the Development of AIDS Responses), and membership on the Communications Team. She can often be found on an event planning committee (Rotary Foundation Walk, Rotary AIDS Walk, District Conferences, Peace Conference etc.) and/or behind the camera capturing wonderful Rotary moments to feed social media.

Currently, Mary Lou is the Parish Administrator at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, a national historic site, active church, and performing arts venue in downtown Toronto. Her work life has included positions in the Ontario government as an Arts Consultant, her own catering and events management company, teaching cooking, freelance writing, and being the editor of a community newspaper.

Mary Lou is married to David, and they have two daughters, Rachel and Sarah. Outside of Rotary, her interests include gardening, reading, board and card games, and the environment. She is thrilled that Rotary International President Ian is a tree hugger too!