A Bold Idea: Nurse Ottley And MPP Hunter Listen

Nurse Ottley works hard to heal her patients
Giving advice and listening with patience
“I have a bold idea,” she was often heard saying
And each time, it was brilliant, because it came from her caring
MPP Hunter works hard to help her community
Making laws and listening with a gentle humility
“How can I help?” she was often heard saying,
And each time, it was helpful, because it came from her listening

When the pandemic began, they both thought, Oh no!
People will need help, more than they even know
Nurse Ottley kept giving advice, listening, and caring
MPP Hunter kept making laws, with open ears she was listening
They worked so hard, but it was not enough
To help all of Scarborough? That would be tough!

Nurse Ottley one day, as usual, had a bold idea,
Let’s treat everyone fairly! It seemed much clearer
I know what to do, I even know how
But I need some help, I need it now!
She called everyone she knew, and everyone she did not
And with each ring unanswered, she felt it was for naught

MPP Hunter was stuck. She needed something new
She wanted to hear from others, from people just like you
I know we can help, we can start somehow
But I need a bold idea. I need one right now
She asked everyone she knew, and more than that beside
But she found no bold ideas, no matter how hard she tried
They both pushed on, each doing their best
But it was taking so long, it put them to the test

Nurse Ottley came down to the last name on her list
She said to herself, “Well, this is it”
She called MPP Hunter. The phone rang, ring-ring,
When the MPP answered, the nurse said, “Here’s the thing…”
“I have a bold idea. Would you like to hear?”
MPP Hunter said, “Oh yes! I’m ready! I am all ears!”

“Here’s my bold idea,” Nurse Ottley replied
Let’s treat everyone fairly, let’s treat everyone kind
Let’s listen to their needs and meet them where they are
With a simple one, two, three, we can go very far

For a moment they stilled, a joy-filled pause
Nurse Ottley, MPP Hunter, together, had a cause
Each ready to help, each ready with their part,
Together, we got this, we’ve got a great start!
What do you do when you’re all out of ideas?
How can you help? What is the mission?
You ask your community. You stop and listen

They worked with their teams, to come up with the plan
We’ll just help everyone, as much as we can
To help all of Scarborough? We all need to pitch in
Step one, two, and three, we all must begin
What alone seemed impossible, became easier with sharing
And they helped so many, because of their listening and caring

The End.

Who is the real MPP Hunter?

Mitzie Hunter has served as the MPP for Scarborough- Guildwood since September 2013 and is the Ontario Liberal Party’s Deputy Leader, and Critic for Education, Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Treasury Board, and Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. Mitzie Hunter understands community and the power of working together. As a lifelong city builder, she is passionate about ensuring fair and inclusive access to employment and prosperity.

Who is the real Nurse Ottley?

Amanda Ottley is a Registered Nurse and the founder of The Pamoja Institute for Community Engagement and Action. Amanda advocates for equitable access to the resources necessary to foster improved health and well-being in the Black community. Amanda’s work to create a Just Future Now has been recognized at home and internationally. She was awarded the Research Excellence in Black Community Impact award and received the Leadership in Business Award from the United Way of Greater Toronto.

About the author

name: Anne Moraa

Anne Moraa is a Kenyan feminist writer, editor, and performer. She is the co-founder of the LAM Sisterhood (TLS) an award-winning story company that fills the world with stories for African women to feel seen, heard, and beloved. Her work with TLS includes being the writer & co-creator of  an original children’s podcast “KaBrazen” telling our rich histories for our little ones, as well as developing multimedia children’s content with the Aga Khan Foundation. Her adult writing can be found in Catapult, The Meridians Journal, The Elephant among others and she is at work on her debut novel (all while eating copious amounts of chilli-lemon crisps!)