Mary L. Barker, BA, HF, APR, LM, FCPRS(H)
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mary Barker, an early female leader in public relations in her region, is a highly respected and award-winning practitioner whose career of almost 60 years encompassed both the practice and teaching of PR. A strong advocate for accreditation and education, she has given steadfast support and generously of her time to both her professional associations and community organizations. She is passionately dedicated to the advancement of the PR profession both locally and nationally and her infectious enthusiasm has been enduring and exceptional. She embodies the practitioner who understands the high value of voluntarism, and has shown a deep and unwavering commitment to encouraging the advancement of PR.
 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Born, raised and educated in Nova Scotia, Mary’s career in communications started early when, in High School, she helped produce and host a weekly radio show about school events and personalities on CFAB in Windsor. So it was no surprise that after university, where she majored in political science and English, she went on to work as a general news reporter with The Chronicle Herald & The Mail Star in Halifax (1966), and later as a researcher and programmer with CBC television (1968), before shifting careers into Public Relations.


It was while studying for her degree at the University of King’s College (UKC) in 1964 that she met Dr. Glen Hancock, who became her first mentor in PR. He was the Director of the School of Journalism at the time, which then was a diploma program, as well as Director of PR for Imperial Oil Ltd. Hancock was also the founding President of the Atlantic Public Relations Society, later CPRS-NS. “He was instrumental in getting me involved on boards and committees of community organizations that needed PR help,” she said. “He was an excellent role model and I learned much from him.”

Mary always had a strong affinity for education, so it was natural that her first job as a PR practitioner was with an institution of higher learning. She became the first PR director (1969-78) of the Nova Scotia Technical College, which later became the Technical University of Nova Scotia and is now amalgamated with Dalhousie University. Responsible for both internal and external communications, Mary recalls that an early task of her position at the College was serving as PR Chair of the world’s first Tidal Power conference in 1970. “I look back now and realize what an undertaking that was. But I was a young female working in an almost total male environment and had to keep proving myself. Luckily, I had a lot of confidence in my own abilities, thanks to my parents, and I knew to seek out help if I needed it.”

Moving from a technical industry to an arts setting, Mary took on the position of Director of Information (1978-91) for the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD), the only degree-granting art school in the country at the time. While seemingly a major shift in focus, Mary brought considerable arts-related experience to her new job, including sitting on boards of arts organizations, writing an Arts & Entertainment column for The 4^th Estate, and contributing to arts publications as a freelance journalist. Again, she was responsible for both internal and external relations for NSCAD, initiated development of an AIDS policy, generated the introduction of the Governor General’s Medal to the College, and managed several important projects including National Universities Week and a Royal Visit. “It was Prince Edward’s first official visit to Canada and he opened a building on campus. I remember the detailed and delicate dealings with many levels of protocol, including Buckingham Palace. Since this was his first official duty in Halifax, he did not yet have his own secretary/aide but was using Prince Charles’ experienced man.”

Switching back into the engineering field again, Mary set up the first PR office for The Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (APENS) as its Director of Communications (1992-95). Here she developed and implemented a successful communications strategy to promote professional engineering in the province which included an industry publicity partnering program, and coordinated the first National Engineering Week celebrations for APENS. “Working with a heavily male-dominated industry again wasn’t too difficult”, she said. “But I did go out of my way to encourage those female engineers who were serving their professional association to step up to be spokespersons or to be interviewed in the media or to speak to schools or community groups. Female engineers needed that visibility, and it was heartening to see those numbers grow. Shortly after I left, the first female President was elected.”

Keeping with her high regard for education, Mary was recruited to serve the university advancement office of Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) in the role of Development Manager (1995-98). Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, she was able to increase donations and scholarships and participation in the annual fund. She left the university to return to communications work and set up her own consulting practice, working mainly with professionals, groups and associations. “There is great satisfaction in providing clients with advice that solves problems for them, and improves their corporate profile. I only wish I had gone into consulting years ago, but then I reason that if I did, I might not have had all the experiences that helped me succeed.”

All during her career, Mary’s interest in public relations education led her into teaching in the field. In 1975, before the first English PR degree program was established at MSVU, she was recruited by the head of the Halifax City Continuing Education Department to develop and conduct courses in public relations for the general public, because the department was getting so much interest in the field. The courses were always fully booked and she continued teaching this certificate course for almost a quarter century. ”I loved teaching”, she said. “These adults, including groups like city police, were eager to learn what PR was all about, and discussions during our coffee breaks were amazing. I learned a lot myself. Most were not interested in giving up their day jobs to do a degree in PR, but some were and I was glad to encourage them to go to the Mount (MSVU), or later to the Nova Scotia Community College.”

Mary went on to teach courses in the Mount’s degree program (1988-94) and later became a visiting professor in communications at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia (1989-90). “Teaching abroad was an eye-opener for me, but one of the best things I’ve ever done. It was so good for my sense of professionalism to know that I could survive and flourish on my own in my chosen field, and that when I left, I was offered at least three jobs if I could stay. That’s after going to a new country where I knew not one person when I arrived. Everything flowed after I made contact with the PR professional association there (PRIA). I even ended up giving unexpected talks about PR practices in Canada. These contacts have become friends, and it is yet another reason why it is so important, and just one benefit, of belonging to CPRS.”

In addition to her various PR positions, Mary did a great deal of freelance work over the years, both paid and pro bono. This included PR work for the Consulate of The Netherlands to commemorate Dutch immigration to Canada (2003), being Editor of the UKC Alumni magazine Tidings, a researcher and writer for The Canadian Magazine and Quest, a stringer for The Financial Post, a correspondent for The Diocesan Times, the editor & designer of annual reports for the Atlantic Industrial Research Institute, a writer of profiles & historical articles for APENS to celebrate Canada’s professional engineering centennial (1987), a commentator on CBC radio, a consultant to politicians and a health management consulting firm on PR, and serving as the executive director for the Concerned Citizens Against Video Gambling Association. Some of this work was recognized with local and national awards.
 
CPRS INVOLVEMENT & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Perhaps one particular service Mary is well known for locally, is that she single-handedly revived the CPRS-NS Society in 2001, and was instrumental in assembling a group to do it again in 2019. Although she was always interested in the activities that professional associations provide, Mary gives credit to longtime CPRS member Len Canfield, APR, LM, who was persistent with his encouragement for her to join CPRS initially. “He is an outstanding example of a CPRS member who is still actively serving his profession after more than half a century. I didn’t have any female mentors; there weren’t many in my area when I was starting out, but I’m grateful to have had Len as one of my supporters. He is one reason I’ve tried to be a mentor to students and young professionals. It’s one way of ‘giving back’.”  Mary has made significant contributions over the years. These include:

• National Chair – Yocom Profile Collection, 2014–2024
• Archivist – CPRS-NS, 2005-2023
• Member – College of Fellows task force on Entrance Criteria Review, 2013
• Chair – CPRS-NS By-Laws Review Committee, 2011-2013
• Invited Participant – “Leadership in Learning” world symposium, Austria, 2012
• Editor – History of CPRS book for the 60^th Anniversary “60 Years + 60 Milestones”, 2007-2010
• National Chair – CPRS 60^th Anniversary Committee, 2007–2010
• NS Chief Examiner – APR oral exams, several years incl. 2009
• Member – CPRS national conference organizing committee, 2007-2008
• Editor – History of APRS & CPRS-NS book “Changes + Challenges” for 45^th anniversary, 2002-2003
• Member – CPRS-NS 45^th Anniversary Committee, 2001–2003
• President – CPRS-NS, 2001-2002
• Board of Directors – CPRS, 2000-2002
• Member – CPRS Accreditation Task Force, 2000-2002
• Judge and/or Judging Coordinator – CPRS Awards of Excellence, CPRS-NS Student Awards, late 1990s–2014
• Invited Speaker – CPRS 50^th Anniversary Congress, 1998
• Board of Directors – CPRS-NS, 1995-2023
• Chair – CPRS-NS portfolios of Education, PD, Awards, Accreditation, PR for PR, 1995-2001
• Sponsorship committee, CPRS-NS, 2001-2017
• Mentored students and young professionals for more than 40 years.
• Delivered numerous PR presentations to students, community organizations and professional associations.
• Atlantic Representative – National Universities Week coordinating committee, 1985
• Atlantic Representative – AUCC Task Force on Public Relations, 1983-1985
• National President – Association of Canadian Universities Information Bureaus, 1974-1975
• Atlantic Director – ACUIB, 1970-1976
• Member – Engineers Public Information Council, 1969-1977

 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Public service or service to her community has been part of Mary’s make-up from an early age. Even while in her teens, she was active as a leader and volunteer in sports groups, with the Girl Guides, and in Sunday School and church activities. Since then, voluntarism has been a constant commitment for her and she has dedicated herself to serving on boards of directors, executive committees, and advisory groups in both appointed and elected positions, and has led many of them. Her track record is impressive. Some of these include:

• Stanfield International Airport Community Consultative Committee (2007-2014)
• The Dalhousie-King’s Reading Club executive (2010-2025)
• UKC Halifax Alumni Branch executive (2006-2010)
• UKC Worldwide Alumni 170^th anniversary committee (2016)
• UKC 225^th Anniversary committee (2013-2014)
• Family Services Association of HRM board (1998-2005)
• VON Greater Halifax board (1998-2001)
• University of King’s College Board of Governors (1976-89) one of longest serving elected members
• UKC Alumni Association President (1975-1977) first woman in almost 200 years
• Sacred Heart School of Halifax Board of Directors (1986-88)
• Halifax Junior Bengal Lancers Board of Directors (1975-1979)
• UKC Alumni Executive (1973-1979)
• NS Festival of the Arts board (1973-1975)
• Canadian Cancer Society (NS) board (1972-1975)
• Committee to establish UKC School of Journalism (1976-1978)
• Standards Council of Canada, Halifax committee (1975-1976)
• Olympic Games sailing official, Canada (1976)
• World Diakonia conference, NS, PR chair (1992)
• Cathedral Church of All Saints ACW vice-chair (1992-1995)
• Atlantic Ecumenical Social Justice Network Conference executive (1995-2002)
• Bishop’s Committee on Social Justice (1994-1998)
• NS Community Learning Initiative advisory committee (1993-1998)
• Arts Atlantic fundraising committee (1999)
• Canada’s first Leave A Legacy steering committee, chair of marketing & media committee (1998-1999)
• Leave A Legacy location & video producer and TV voice-over (1999)
• UKC New Library committee (1988-1989)
• PR volunteer with Sisters of Service, UNICEF, United Way, YWCA, Run for the Cure, American Industrial Hygiene Association (circa‘60s-‘90s)

 
HONOURS & AWARDS
Mary has a large fan base of colleagues who admire her talent, dedication and service. As one of her PR peers recently said, “She was humble and always so understated about her own work and abilities and didn’t talk about herself or her talents. But she was always there, always showing up and involved and encouraging others. Even after her retirement from paid PR work, she still shows up to promote and encourage the values of CPRS. She celebrates the success and accomplishments of her PR colleagues as much as if they were her own.” Here are some of the recognitions given to her.

• Lifetime Achievement Award – CPRS-NS, 2023
• Philip A. Novikoff Award – CPRS, 2017
• Honorary Fellow – CPRS College of Fellows, 2007
• Lamp of Service Award – CPRS, 2005
• Life Member – CPRS, (first woman from NS) 2005
• Certificates of Recognition – CPRS, 2002 and CPRS-NS, 2002
• Appreciation Award – CPRS-NS, 2002
• Amethyst Best Program award – CPRS-NS, 1999
• CCAE Circle Award – Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education, 1998
• Certificate of Appreciation – Community Learning Initiative, NS Department of Education, 1997
• Honorary Fellow – University of King’s College, 1997
• Circle Service Award – Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education, 1997
• Certificate of Appreciation – NS Premier and Minister of Education & Culture for service to literacy in NS, 1995
• Merit Award – CPRS Awards of Excellence, 1995
• Gemstone Award – CPRS-NS, 1995
• Professional Accreditation (APR) – CPRS, 1994
• Honorary Member – Technical University of Nova Scotia Alumni Association, 1977
• University Awards – Harry Crawford Memorial Prize, Charles Cogswell Bursary, University Gold & Silver Letters, Sports Medallion, 1965-67

 
REFLECTIONS

FAVOURITE PR ACHIEVEMENT
If I had to choose what I might consider my legacy, it would be the accomplishment of getting two books published about CPRS history. The first was for CPRS-NS in 2003 to celebrate our 45^th anniversary. The second was for CPRS in 2010 for the 60^th anniversary. Those were the years of publication, not the anniversary years. Both came close to never being printed because of decisions by others. But after literally spending several years of my life getting them ready, I wasn’t going to give up easily. I was most thankful to those sponsors who supported my endeavours. The other “legacy” I cherish are the comments from various colleagues and mentees about the impact I’ve had in their lives or career decisions. It always took me by surprise when I heard this, but was so meaningful to me.

MOST MEMORABLE PR MOMENT
There have been many satisfying moments in my PR career, but perhaps the most memorable for me personally was what I heard after I left an extended position; they replaced me with five men. That was such a satisfying validation moment for me for the work I’d been doing.

WORSE PR MOMENT
I can’t compete with Ruth Hammond’s dramatic worse moment (when she lost the former vice-president of the USA), and some colleagues won’t even admit their worse moments, but I’ve had a few in my career. I have always tried to learn from them. My first such learning moment came when I was promoting the work and value of engineering to the public. This was the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, no emails, and overseas calls were not in my budget. We were bringing in accomplished engineers from other countries in addition to local ones, and I had arranged to have each interviewed live on the daily local television show. It was not always an easy task to get a booking. But one such person was coming from England to the university and I’d been in contact via letters back and forth to get his permission to be interviewed about his exciting project on TV. His plane was late arriving and I took him directly to the TV studio for make-up, etc., only to learn he couldn’t converse in English more than a few phrases. The TV producer and interviewer were not pleased with me, and I was embarrassed.  My stock as a PR person who could always deliver had plummeted, and it took me some time to build up my reputation again with the media. It turned out my guest hadn’t written those letters, but had his secretary correspond with me under his name. I never put anyone in the media forefront again without personal contact and interviewing them first myself. This extra caution saved my bacon more than once.
 
CHANGES IN HOW PR IS PRACTICED
The practice of PR has changed dramatically from my early days in the 1960s. Most of us came from journalism. There were no university PR degree programs, and even diploma or certificate programs were few. Indeed, even degrees in journalism were not plentiful. Although PR wasn’t much respected, traditional media had public trust and was accountable for mistakes. I could walk into any newsroom and speak with those there in person to pitch my client or story. It was easy to establish relationships with media. There were no cell phones, the internet, or artificial intelligence to do research for us, no working from home or without administrative support, and no voice-generated email press releases. But there was an atmosphere of helping fellow PR colleagues and generosity in the sharing of information. Although we worked with typewriters, landline phones, paper dictionaries and Gestetner machines for printing newsletters and press releases, we also had secretaries and assistants and saw our colleagues in person. But the one thing we really had going for us was the time to complete the fourth stage of the PR process – evaluation. There was time to look at what went wrong, what was successful, and what things we would change or improve upon. And we had time to prepare responses to media or stakeholders, even in times of crisis. Now, I see fellow professionals on duty 24-7 because of cell phones and social media and being pressured for instant answers without always having time to check info or draft considered responses. This puts a great deal of strain on the individual practitioner when there is no “down time” to think, consider, or even reflect. That can’t be good. And that is a real challenge. I’m grateful for many of the new advances, but mourn the loss of others. The one major improvement is that the practice of public relations, with its increased professionalism via academic preparation and accreditation, is more respected now.
 
ADVICE TO THOSE ENTERING THE PROFESSION
Young professionals are fortunate now to have the opportunity to study public relations in an academic setting, to get experience, perhaps as co-op students in different aspects of PR, and to have a professional association that can provide mentors for them. Even given all this, my advice would be to join and participate in a professional association such as CPRS, to attend as many professional development sessions as they possibly can, to develop their own network of contacts, to keep up with the latest technologies used as PR tools, to make sure they maintain a work/life balance for themselves knowing that new technology tools will demand more of their time, and to guard their own reputations. At the end of the day, that is what’s important; because just as for your clients, once a reputation is damaged, it is extremely difficult to repair. Once trust is lost, it is difficult to regain. I would urge them to practice honesty and integrity, not just with stakeholders, but especially with their decision-makers and staff. Today’s practitioner must be ever vigilant to adhere to our Code of Ethics, and to remember why the “public” in public relations is there.
 
THE FUTURE OF PR
PR is more important than ever in today’s society where shifts in societal norms don’t always hold truth, honesty, and integrity as a starting point. PR practitioners now have to deal with fake news, loss of accountable journalism outlets, untruthful spokespeople, and digital photos doctored to make them unreliable or delivering a completely different message. The use of AI and loss of human contact without accountability is scary. Every day I see situations where the use of AI causes more problems with customer relations than it solves. It might enlarge the bottom line, but at what cost to reputation or branding.
One of the key rules in PR is to know your audience. But right now there is a generation of individuals making decisions based on those coming behind with no regard for their older audience. It’s likely that will not matter in another couple decades, but until then, if companies and governments don’t recognize they might need a two-stream communications approach, we’ll be in for more upheaval. PR people will be crucial in recognizing, and making sure their clients recognize, these issues.

I am concerned about the demise of traditional and accountable media in favour of social media that has few rules and even less accountability, and rife with disinformation and misinformation. I’m also concerned about the lack of knowledge about our history, as it is important that we know our past in order to build on it and not repeat mistakes. Public Relations as a profession has come a long way, and we have much of which we can be proud. The RACE formula is still the process, whatever new tools are at our disposal to carry out the steps. It’s important we make time for each of those four steps, especially the last. This will be difficult given the new norm of warp speed required of our practitioners. But I’m encouraged by the work of PR educators and researchers who are tackling these issues and preparing a new generation of PR leaders.