Kate Aitken
Encyclopedia
Kate Aitken was a Canadian
radio and television broadcaster in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. As Mrs. A, she was one of the most famous hosts on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
in her era.
Aitken, born Kate May Scott in Beeton, Ontario
, worked as an entrepreneur, teacher and journalist both before and after marrying local businessman Henry Aitken. As a journalist, she once interviewed Benito Mussolini
.
She subsequently taught cooking, including at the Canadian National Exhibition
, where she served as director of the Women's Division from 1938 to 1952. She was offered a radio show in 1934, when a broadcaster at CFRB broke her leg and the station manager needed an emergency replacement. The show was syndicated to other radio stations, and was eventually picked up by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
.
Aitken primarily covered homemaking
subjects such as cooking and etiquette, but also did some documentary journalism, including a profile of Hungarian
refugee
s in 1956. Also, in an era when research was difficult and time consuming, Aitken would find answers to difficult questions, explaining to one Saskatoon woman the procedures for moving herself and her assets to the USA to be with her American husband. Aitken also became an early host on CBC television, and wrote newspaper columns and books.
She retired in 1957, but continued to work for UNICEF, and served on the CBC's board of directors. She died in Mississauga in 1971, having lived for many years on property that she ran briefly as a spa, on a bend of Mississauga Road, south of Streetsville.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
radio and television broadcaster in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. As Mrs. A, she was one of the most famous hosts on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
in her era.
Aitken, born Kate May Scott in Beeton, Ontario
Beeton, Ontario
Beeton is a small town located in southern Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada between Tottenham and Alliston; all three were amalgamated in 1991 into the single Town of New Tecumseth....
, worked as an entrepreneur, teacher and journalist both before and after marrying local businessman Henry Aitken. As a journalist, she once interviewed Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
.
She subsequently taught cooking, including at the Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
, where she served as director of the Women's Division from 1938 to 1952. She was offered a radio show in 1934, when a broadcaster at CFRB broke her leg and the station manager needed an emergency replacement. The show was syndicated to other radio stations, and was eventually picked up by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
.
Aitken primarily covered homemaking
Homemaker
Homemaking is a mainly American term for the management of a home, otherwise known as housework, housekeeping or household management...
subjects such as cooking and etiquette, but also did some documentary journalism, including a profile of Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s in 1956. Also, in an era when research was difficult and time consuming, Aitken would find answers to difficult questions, explaining to one Saskatoon woman the procedures for moving herself and her assets to the USA to be with her American husband. Aitken also became an early host on CBC television, and wrote newspaper columns and books.
She retired in 1957, but continued to work for UNICEF, and served on the CBC's board of directors. She died in Mississauga in 1971, having lived for many years on property that she ran briefly as a spa, on a bend of Mississauga Road, south of Streetsville.