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Her Name Was Margaret: Life and Death on the Streets
Margaret Jacobson was a sweet-natured young girl who played the accordion and had dreams of becoming a teacher until she had a psychotic break in her teens, which sent her down a much darker path. Her Name Was Margaret traces Margaret's life from her childhood to her death as a homeless woman on the streets of Hamilton, Ontario. With meticulous research and deep compassion author Denise Davy analyzed over eight hundred pages of medical records and conducted interviews with Margaret's friends and family, as well as those who worked in psychiatric care, to create this compelling portrait of a woman abandoned by society. Through the revolving door of psychiatric admissions to discharges to rundown boarding homes, Davy shows us the grim impact of patients spiralled inexorably toward homelessness and death as psychiatric beds were closed and patients were left to fend for themselves on the streets of cities across North America. Today there are more 235,000 people in Canada who are counted among the homeless annually and 35,000 who are homeless on any given night. Most of them are struggling with mental health issues. Margaret's story is a heartbreaking illustration of what happens in our society to our most vulnerable and should serve as a wake-up call to politicians and leaders in cities across Canada.
300 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2021
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215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 8, 2021
Having studied the history of mental health and how with the deinstitutionalization of people with mental illness in the 1970s was a major cause of our current mental health crisis and homelessness crisis - here in Denise Davy's book we see these dynamics play out in the life story of one woman, Margaret Jacobson, 1944-1995. She was only 51 when she died on the streets of Hamilton, Ontario, although she seemed much older from her years of living rough. This story feels personal, because it happened in my city, and because I am familiar with the urban landscape, the institutions involved, and many of the individual people named in the book. (Oman Huhad, Suzanne Foreman, Francine Small, Pat Saunders, Bill MacKinnon). Thank you to Denise for such a thoroughly researched book to give such a complete picture of Margaret's life, from her childhood in the Caribbean to her endless cycle between the psychiatric hospital and the horrific living conditions of boarding houses in Hamilton, and then the streets. Margaret was the daughter of missionaries who had worked in Barbados, Trinidad, and Antigua before coming back to Canada, but when Margaret was hospitalized in Hamilton at the age of 18, her family became estranged from her (believing that her mental illness was caused by turning away from God) and moved to the US for many years. This book by Denise Davy is such a beautiful tribute to the stamina and resilience of Margaret Jacobson despite the illness she had which was so often untreated and unsupported. It was good to have members of Margaret's family (her brother, her nephew) at the book launch, and I hope this book continues to do healing and transformative work as more people read it.
October 3, 2021
I know this book won't be everyone's cup of tea. But it speaks to such important issues in our society. Homelessness and mental illness. Davy writes Margaret's story with so much kindness and compassion. And well researched in terms of providing the history around how those with mental illness have mostly been poorly cared for. Highly recommended if you are interested in / concerned about these issues. thank you Denise Davy.
March 8, 2021
This book is so important. It personalizes homelessness and brings this woman Margaret into our world and our heart, so we can discover how she ended up on the streets.
Author Denise Davy has researched the topic thoroughly to tell this personal story. All the government systems failed Margaret, by not providing enough money and support. How do you tell a woman with schizophrenia to budget better, when she has too little money or support to do that? It's enough just dealing with the medical conditions, and family estrangement, and the poor quality of housing.
It's important that the public know this woman's life and why she was let down, over and over. The way the homeless are dealt with is intentional.
Author Denise Davy has researched the topic thoroughly to tell this personal story. All the government systems failed Margaret, by not providing enough money and support. How do you tell a woman with schizophrenia to budget better, when she has too little money or support to do that? It's enough just dealing with the medical conditions, and family estrangement, and the poor quality of housing.
It's important that the public know this woman's life and why she was let down, over and over. The way the homeless are dealt with is intentional.
February 15, 2022
Thank you Denise Davy for allowing readers to understand one person's experience of homelessness in Hamilton, ON and thereby shining a light on the homeless epidemic in Canada. You bring hope as you provide the keys to getting out this epidemic.
March 9, 2021
You might recall Denise Davy likely from her years as a social issues reporter for the Spectator,;she is an awesome journalist no matter the topic, but Her Name Was Margaret is truly a voice for change. Lots of people who worked in social services at the time of Margaret's story are quoted here,making it very locally (Hamilton ON) relevant, however the scope of Denise's coverage is of national impact. She shows how the deinstitutionalization movement begun in the 1960s though well-intentioned, failed it's patients and contributed to the crisis of homelessness juxtaposed with mental illness that we now face. She goes further to demonstrate how the issues have already been successfully managed in other communities. This is a MUST read for so many reasons. Please do, and support those proposals that could so easily save the lives of many who have been largely abandoned and often blamed for their homelessness.
April 7, 2021
Growing up in a loveless but well-intentioned family Margaret Jacobson battled life-long symptoms of mental illness. Davy has written a devastating portrait of a woman who floundered in the Canadian medical system seeking an elixir that couldn't be distilled. Despite the ravages of homelessness, endless hospital stays and boarding houses, the reader will cheer Margaret's indefatigable will to survive, her humour, her humanity. This is a book every social worker, every psychiatrist, every caring heart will read and re-read. A triumph.
March 30, 2021
One of the most important books I’ve ever read. So many of us think that we understand the issues and what people on the streets go through, but this book proves us wrong. It offers not only an in-depth look into the life of Margaret Jacobson, but also be incredibly broken system that led to her tragic death. I challenge anyone who has read this to avoid eye contact with a homeless person or walk by them without stopping to ask their name and if they need a bite to eat.
May 18, 2021
This is a well-researched look at homelessness and mental illness told through the lens of a single woman's story. Davy takes a balanced approach to her biography of Margaret Jacobson - she is empathic without being sentimental and never glosses over the difficult aspects of Margaret's personality and behavior. This is not an easy book to read, but it gave me some insight into the world of homelessness I didn't have before, and I am grateful for that.
May 6, 2021
Very important book to read about how mental health and being homeless was dealt with in the past and while some progress may have been made it still needs so much work to help make this better than Margaret's life and so many other people's lives.
June 13, 2021
Everyone should read this book. A tragic but important story of a woman (and many others) who depend on government and hospital supports due to mental health and/or drug/alcohol addiction issues to survive but slip through the cracks.
June 18, 2021
Extraordinary and sad story about Margaret Jacobson…a Hamilton woman with schizophrenia. It is the story of how our systems don’t take care of our most vulnerable citizens. I have a totally different view of our homeless having read this book.
January 12, 2022
This book is so important! It puts a face to the homeless and mental health crisis. And answers the questions such as “what is their story? And do they have family?” Once you finish this book, you will always have empathy and compassion for those living on the streets.
April 30, 2024
I am sorry that I had to miss the author event with Denise Davy at the Brantford Public Library last month but happy to have a signed copy of her book, Her Name was Margaret.
This story is one that all politician's need to read as they make decisions for health, social and housing funding. It is a devastating story of missed opportunities to help a young woman with schizophrenia. it is a story of loss, resilience, abuse, neglect intermingled with caregivers and supports that tried their best with kindness and care in a system that is challenged.
Thank you to Denise Davy for sharing this story which likely gives readers a different perspective into how individuals become and stay homeless.
This story is one that all politician's need to read as they make decisions for health, social and housing funding. It is a devastating story of missed opportunities to help a young woman with schizophrenia. it is a story of loss, resilience, abuse, neglect intermingled with caregivers and supports that tried their best with kindness and care in a system that is challenged.
Thank you to Denise Davy for sharing this story which likely gives readers a different perspective into how individuals become and stay homeless.
August 21, 2024
Extract from the book: "Margaret taught me much about homelessness. She taught me that every homeless person has a name, that they are somebody's son or daughter and that they had a life before they became homeless. Most of all, she taught me that they are not there by choice but because of a complicated series of events that can be traced to a broken system and, too often, to a broken mind.
By understanding what happened to Margaret, we can understand what happened to thousands of others who are homeless because of the failure to replace hospital beds with community services and the failure to provide affordable and supportive housing. In short, the mess that exists today was entirely man-made and preventable."
By understanding what happened to Margaret, we can understand what happened to thousands of others who are homeless because of the failure to replace hospital beds with community services and the failure to provide affordable and supportive housing. In short, the mess that exists today was entirely man-made and preventable."
June 15, 2022
A sobering story of how the end of housing psychiatric patients in the late 60's and forward affected the mentally ill and increased the plight of the homeless in Hamilton and other areas culminating in the death of Margaret Louise Jacobson as told by Denis Davy, a wonderful writer for The Hamilton Spectator. This was of particular interest to me as it coincided with my days working in social services and my mother's employment at HPH. Ms. Davy tells it like it was and still is today.
May 13, 2021
Similar to America’s move in the mid-twentieth century toward the deinstitutionalization of those with significant mental health issues, Canadian journalist and author Denise Davy chronicles her country’s efforts to do the same in the heartbreaking biography of Margaret Louise Jacobson.
Davy notes that the homeless population in Canada is estimated to be approximately 235,000 each year, some 35.000 of whom are sleeping on the streets. Worse still, up to 70% of those homeless in Canada are suffering from some form of mental illness, and many end up incarcerated at one time or another.
In Her Name Was Margaret, Davy provides a human face to the complex issues of homelessness and psychiatric and supportive care for the mentally ill. Detailing years of neglectful social workers, rather uncaring and/or uninformed medical personnel, frustrated family members, and a calamitously underfunded source of housing and supportive care for deinstitutionalized mental care patients, Davy provides the reader with a heartrending account of the ways in which society failed to care for and help Ms. Jacobson. She also makes clear that there are hundreds of thousands of other Margarets out there, all of whom are in need of appropriate medical and supportive care.
Her Name Was Margaret is a compelling, thought-provoking read – one that reminds the reader to have a little more compassion and consideration for all those struggling with mental illness and/or homelessness.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Katherine Itacy for this review.
Davy notes that the homeless population in Canada is estimated to be approximately 235,000 each year, some 35.000 of whom are sleeping on the streets. Worse still, up to 70% of those homeless in Canada are suffering from some form of mental illness, and many end up incarcerated at one time or another.
In Her Name Was Margaret, Davy provides a human face to the complex issues of homelessness and psychiatric and supportive care for the mentally ill. Detailing years of neglectful social workers, rather uncaring and/or uninformed medical personnel, frustrated family members, and a calamitously underfunded source of housing and supportive care for deinstitutionalized mental care patients, Davy provides the reader with a heartrending account of the ways in which society failed to care for and help Ms. Jacobson. She also makes clear that there are hundreds of thousands of other Margarets out there, all of whom are in need of appropriate medical and supportive care.
Her Name Was Margaret is a compelling, thought-provoking read – one that reminds the reader to have a little more compassion and consideration for all those struggling with mental illness and/or homelessness.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Katherine Itacy for this review.
October 24, 2021
Her Name Was Margaret is a heart breaking read. It's a book every politician, no every PERSON should read. It shares the story of what happened to the many patients of psychiatric care when the government in their great wisdom decided on deinstitutionalization.
"Margaret was thirty-nine. It had been almost twenty-three years since she was admitted to hospital (HPH). She'd been on a steady diet of drugs: antipsychotics chlorpromazine, clozapine and risperidone; benztropine and diazepam; tetracycline for infections; Gaviscone for her stomach problems and various treatments for her severe acne, plus drugs to counter the side effects. She would consistently take her medications in the hospital, but once she was moved into boarding homes, that would end in short time.
During the periods that she had lived outside of the hospital, she had been assaulted, lived in a garbage-filled dumpster, became pregnant, been found covered in feces and been picked up on the streets of Winnipeg where she was found penniless and destitute. Under the care of the system that was supposed to have made her better, she had instead become much worse."
Bravo Denise Davey on a compelling book. I used to enjoy your articles in the Spectator and I thoroughly appreciate your words of wisdom of this crisis.
"Margaret was thirty-nine. It had been almost twenty-three years since she was admitted to hospital (HPH). She'd been on a steady diet of drugs: antipsychotics chlorpromazine, clozapine and risperidone; benztropine and diazepam; tetracycline for infections; Gaviscone for her stomach problems and various treatments for her severe acne, plus drugs to counter the side effects. She would consistently take her medications in the hospital, but once she was moved into boarding homes, that would end in short time.
During the periods that she had lived outside of the hospital, she had been assaulted, lived in a garbage-filled dumpster, became pregnant, been found covered in feces and been picked up on the streets of Winnipeg where she was found penniless and destitute. Under the care of the system that was supposed to have made her better, she had instead become much worse."
Bravo Denise Davey on a compelling book. I used to enjoy your articles in the Spectator and I thoroughly appreciate your words of wisdom of this crisis.
March 14, 2021
I just finished reading “Her Name was Margaret”, beautifully written by my friend Denise Davy. Denise has written a compassionate tribute to a woman, named Margaret Jacobson and her tragic and heartbreaking struggle with mental illness and chronic homelessness in Hamilton.
But it goes beyond that. It provides a much-needed spotligh on the decades-old problem in Canada of the mismanagement of people living in our streets due to lack of shelter, psychiatric and social services - and more importantly highlights how badly the system has failed our most vulnerable citizens in Canada.
This book opened my eyes to the chronic (and shocking) problem that exists in our own backyards. It was a difficult read at times - and I had to put it down at times because it made me cry. Its been a long time since a book made me angry and sad. Angry at our Government and disgusted that policy makers that very little has been done to implement much-needed programs.
This is an important issue that needs to be cracked wide open and talked about openly - not longer treated as taboo or swept under the rug.
But it goes beyond that. It provides a much-needed spotligh on the decades-old problem in Canada of the mismanagement of people living in our streets due to lack of shelter, psychiatric and social services - and more importantly highlights how badly the system has failed our most vulnerable citizens in Canada.
This book opened my eyes to the chronic (and shocking) problem that exists in our own backyards. It was a difficult read at times - and I had to put it down at times because it made me cry. Its been a long time since a book made me angry and sad. Angry at our Government and disgusted that policy makers that very little has been done to implement much-needed programs.
This is an important issue that needs to be cracked wide open and talked about openly - not longer treated as taboo or swept under the rug.
March 9, 2021
Once in a while a book comes along that strikes a chord and really forces you to think. In Her Name Was Margaret, author Denise Davy shares with us the story of a young girl, somewhat unremarkable although very bright and musical and we learn about her life. The tragedy of course is how a young girl starts life in this way, ends up going through years of the revolving door of the Ontario health care system, winds up homeless and living on the streets of Hamilton and is dead before she reaches 52 years of age.
Written in a manner that makes putting this book down difficult, it is both a compelling tragedy as well as an indictment on a system that offered no follow up or effective long term support.
This is a book that needs to be read by every politician at every level of government as well as any empathetic person who cares about the vulnerable members of our society and yearns for a kinder and more caring community. I highly recommend!
Written in a manner that makes putting this book down difficult, it is both a compelling tragedy as well as an indictment on a system that offered no follow up or effective long term support.
This is a book that needs to be read by every politician at every level of government as well as any empathetic person who cares about the vulnerable members of our society and yearns for a kinder and more caring community. I highly recommend!
February 24, 2022
An eye opener that I think everyone should read!! It is such an important book on the topic of homelessness. Told through the words of a very compassionate author. She takes you right into Margaret's world, showing you the realities of life on the street.
I think Clara Hughes said it best in her review -"Open your heart to the human beings in front of you surviving, agains so many odds, on the streets. As a society, we have erased the history of so many people every time we walk by them without wondering what brought this person to this place. This story will help you find your humanity"
A must read!!!
I think Clara Hughes said it best in her review -"Open your heart to the human beings in front of you surviving, agains so many odds, on the streets. As a society, we have erased the history of so many people every time we walk by them without wondering what brought this person to this place. This story will help you find your humanity"
A must read!!!
April 9, 2021
Margaret Jacobsen's story is woven through this book that informs eloquently the life journey of real people who are part of our community. It lays bare the desperate need to rethink services to ensure sustainable change for everyone's benefit. Margaret and so many others deserve better. I found myself saying "if only..." so many times while reading about Margaret and hoping that many people will read this compassionately written book and commit to making change.
This would be a wonderful Book Club choice. A vigorous discussion is sure to ensue!
This would be a wonderful Book Club choice. A vigorous discussion is sure to ensue!
October 27, 2022
I honestly felt this was such an amazing read. Super informative to the housing crisis we are currently living in. Coming from the town this book takes place it, I felt very drawn to this story and looking within myself on how I can help the homeless population… even if it is with a simple smile. I work in social services in the mental health and homeless population so it does hit home. I now look at all homeless individuals as though they are Margaret. I highly encourage all to give this a read.
September 23, 2021
Wow! Truly a heart-breaking real life story of a woman that fell through the cracks of the mental health system. Margaret had been institutionalized many times and then discharged to rundown boarding homes. Because of a mental illness should mean you eventually become homeless. This is very tragic story of a woman that held such promise in her younger years.
Denise Davy wrote a very compelling and empathetic story of Margaret and her very real issues which plague many Canadians.
Denise Davy wrote a very compelling and empathetic story of Margaret and her very real issues which plague many Canadians.
March 9, 2021
Congratulations, Denise! Your book was delivered at 11:30 this morning, and I now have only a couple of chapters left to finish it today...and I WILL finish it! Because I cannot put it down! Amazing story, fabulous writing, great research, totally engaging and meaningful. What a masterpiece of relevant, gripping writing! Thank you.
September 19, 2021
Very well written and horribly tragic, Her Name Was Margaret is an exceptional look into Margaret’s life and the failing system that put her through so much tragedy. It breaks your heart for Margaret and others like her, and truly does give you a deep need to do better by the homeless in your area. As a Hamiltonian who lives downtown myself, this book hits very very close to home.
April 8, 2021
What an incredible story!
The kindness and affirmation that went in to describe a person of the street: she has a name called Margaret, and she might be your sister, your aunt or a good friend! We are all equal and should be treated with dignity!!
Thank you Denise for introducing Margaret to us!
The kindness and affirmation that went in to describe a person of the street: she has a name called Margaret, and she might be your sister, your aunt or a good friend! We are all equal and should be treated with dignity!!
Thank you Denise for introducing Margaret to us!
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May 6, 2021This wonderful book and condemnation of our Government and their handling of the Mentally Ill. The book is based on personal interviews, great research and complete access to the victim Margaret, her medical files and her family. Really 'must read' book for any Canadian.
July 25, 2021
An excellent (horrific) look at Ontario's appalling mental health system through exploring Margaret's life. The author was able to work with Margaret's family and her health records to give as much of Margaret as was possible. Empathetic, compassionate journalism and storytelling.
April 3, 2021
The best book I have read on homelessness. A tragic story of how society failed a woman who needed care, tenderness and just a safe place each night to lay her head. Phenomenal research.
Dan Nolan
Dan Nolan
April 4, 2021
Remarkable! Inspiring and sad. Makes me want to do more and will do much more to help.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews