October: Women's History Month in Canada

October is both Autism Awareness Month and Women's History Month in Canada. In 1992, the Canadian Government ruled that in October, Canadians would recognize the achievements of Canadian Women in history. Over the years, women have left their mark on Canadian society. The theme this year is Celebrating Immigrant Women in Canada. Women's History Month includes Persons Day, which is celebrated on October 18th - the day when women were recognized as persons way back in 1918.

Through the years I have studied Canadian women in history. I'd like to introduce you to a few of the women that deserve recognition during Women's History Month.

Nellie McClung - She was one of the leading women in Canada's suffragette movement. She was determined that women would be recognized as persons and be allowed to own property and cast their ballots in elections.

E. Cora Hind - The first woman in Canada to hold the title of Agricultural Reporter. Cora first worked for the Manitoba Free Press. She was also involved in reform and women's issues.

Victoria Callihoo - A Native Canadian who was born and raised on the Canadian prairie in Alberta. Victoria was half Cree and half French. She died in 1966 at the age of 105. Her life had spanned more than a century and she had seen many changes. From riding on the prairie in a Red River Cart while hunting buffalo with her native relatives to listening to the radio in her old age, Victoria adapted to her surroundings as she aged.

Ann Harvey - Ann was raised in Newfoundland. She's credited with helping her father, brother and their dog rescue shipwrecked immigrants who were headed to Quebec. Their ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean, which is treacherous at any time of the year. The rescue took place between July 12 and 15, 1828. A decade later, another ship, the Rankin, floundered in the same area. Ann helped rescue 25 passengers from the wreck.

Major Margaret C. MacDonald - Major MacDonaldwas Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian Nursing Service during the First World War.

Helen Harrison - This woman flew bombers across the Atlantic during the Second World War.

Lucy Maud Montgomerey - The Canadian author who wrote the Anne of Green Gables series. Montgomerey lived in Prince Edward Island. Visitors flock from all over the globe to see the little house that was described in the books.

Roberta Bondar - She became the first Canadian women and the first neurologist in space. She was aboard the Discovery space shuttle in 1992.

Laura Secord - A feisty little woman, Laura lived in Queenston Heights in 1812. When the Americans invaded, Laura hiked through woods and swamps to warn the Canadian troops who drove the Americans back to their side of the Niagara River.

Pauline Johnson - A Native American poetess who was the child of a Mohawk chief and a non-native woman. Her career as a recitalist began in 1892. She toured both Canada and the US reciting and writing poetry. Pauline's best-known poem is The Song My Paddle Sings. Pauline died in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 7, 1913. She was buried in Stanley Park, where she loved to go and spend her time in solitude. Pauline died of breast cancer. A memorial stone has been erected in her honor.

These are just a few of the women who have changed the course of Canadian history. I hope you enjoyed meeting all of them.