Death – W. Earle McLaughlin
Death is one of the most feared cards in a Tarot Deck, yet it does not hold as much power as people fear. The card symbolizes a change in your life. The past needs to be placed behind you, so you can focus on the world ahead and adapt as necessary. The old version of you needs to ‘die’ to allow the new you to be created. This may be a scary change, but if you don’t let go of your unhealthy attachments and opinions, the world will move on without or in spite of you.
W. Earle McLaughlin Facts:
- Joined the Royal Bank of Canada in 1936 and rose to the roles of Chairman and CEO by 1976.
- That year, it became public that Royal Bank couldn’t seem to find any qualified Canadian women to sit on their 48-member board (a position that’s only real requisite that directors own 2,500 shares of stock).
- McLaughlin famously said no “simple housewife” could hope to make a contribution to the running of a major bank.
- McLaughlin, obviously, made a lot of people unhappy with the statement. Including Laura Sabia, former chairman of the Ontario Advisory Council on the Status of Women who said she’d like to punch him in the nose and “kick him in the ass” on national radio.
- Across Canada, women were urged to close dealings with the Royal Bank.
- McLaughlin became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981, as a result of his efforts towards the Royal Bank Award, given annually to major contributions by Canadians in many fields. He is still well-thought of for his work there (by some).
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