USC Canada is celebrating the 99th anniversary of the birth of our founder, Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova, who was born on November 28, 1909. Send us a personal story about what she meant to you.

And if you live in the Victoria or Vancouver areas, come hear about Dr. Lotta and the legacy she has left us all. Click here for more information. 

USC Canada was founded by Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova in 1945 as the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada. Dr. Lotta dedicated the next 40 years of her life to making the world a “better, kinder place for all.”

Through her Public Service Announcements on TV and radio, Dr. Lotta became one of Canada’s most recognized humanitarians and public figures. Who can forget her distinctive Czech accent as she pronounced USC’s address, “56 Sparks Street, Ottawa”?

Her work took her to conflict zones and newly-independent countries, where the need was greatest. She struck a special chord with Canadians and mobilized a whole generation to take action and help.

USC Canada’s history is intrinsically linked to the efforts of this tireless refugee who emigrated to Canada after World War II. To learn more about the historic role that Dr. Lotta played in Canadian Society in the 1940s to 1970s, please have a glance at her short biography.

After a lifetime of service and many awards, Dr. Lotta passed away in 1990. USC continues to carry on Dr. Lotta’s legacy into the 21 century, still urging Canadians to take action – helping farmers to stay on the land, grow more food for their families and preserve the environment.

In honour of our founder, we have established the Lotta Hitschmanova Legacy Fund, through which caring Canadians can bring hope to communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America for generations to come. We invite you to be a part of Dr. Lotta’s legacy too!

USC will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova on November 28, 2009. If you knew Dr. Lotta, or have interesting stories about Dr. Lotta or USC to share, please tell us your Dr. Lotta stories.