Liz Crocker Designs Spaces to Foster Thriving Connections

Liz Crocker has dedicated her life to fostering thriving connections through education and creative spaces. Originally from Nova Scotia, her journey began at the age of 16 when she became a Dalhousie University student to study mathematics. The legacy of her father, Alexander Campbell, a Dal alum, inspired her further, as she spent summers in the region.

Transformative Education Experience

Crocker’s academic path took a remarkable turn due to a profound influence from her professor, Guy MacLean. He instilled in her a passion for history and political science, transforming her understanding of these subjects into something deeply relevant to humanity.

After completing her studies, she embraced a teaching career, starting on a military base in Ontario before returning to Halifax Grammar School. A pivotal moment in her career occurred during a discussion with Dr. Richard Goldbloom, the former physician-in-chief at Halifax’s IWK Children’s Hospital. Their conversation centered on enhancing children’s health-care experiences through play and education.

Founding Child Life Services

This exchange led to a significant opportunity for Crocker in 1971. She accepted a role to establish the IWK’s Child Life Services, which today provides essential support for children and families navigating challenging health situations.

Creating Joyful Spaces for Children

Bearing a strong belief in the transformative power of play, Crocker co-founded Woozles in 1978, Nova Scotia’s cherished children’s bookstore. Along with her husband Brian Crocker and friend Ann Connor Brimer, they created a space dedicated to the joy of storytelling and imagination.

Woozles has earned the distinction of being “Canada’s oldest children’s bookstore.” Although it has relocated from its original site, it remains a vibrant hub for discovery, enriching the lives of children and families alike.

Legacy of Community Engagement

• Education Advocate: Empowered generations through teaching and innovative child health initiatives.
• Community Impact: Woozles serves as a resource for imaginative play and storytelling.
• Child Life Services: Supports children facing health challenges through play-based learning.

Crocker’s journey exemplifies how fostering connections through educational endeavors can create lasting impacts on individuals and communities.