Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award

Sue McKinnon has spent her life lifting others up—quietly, consistently, and with deep conviction. A dedicated employee at Caesars Windsor and proud Unifor Local 444 member, Sue has long been a voice for her coworkers, her community, and those too often overlooked. Her decades of advocacy have helped build a stronger, more compassionate Windsor-Essex region.

Since 2007, Sue has chaired the Local 444 Women’s Committee, where she’s led transformative campaigns like Shine the Light, Wear Purple, Take Back the Night, the REDress Project, and International Women’s Day events. Her leadership has brought people together across workplaces and communities to confront gender-based violence and create meaningful change.

Sue’s influence extends far beyond her union. She has served in leadership roles with the House of Sophrosyne, BANA, and supported organizations such as the Women’s Welcome Centre and Hiatus House. Her work is marked not only by impact, but by humility, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action.

Though honoured with multiple awards, Sue has never sought recognition. For those who know her, the true measure of her contribution lies in the lives she’s lifted, the communities she’s strengthened, and the quiet kindness she carries into every room.