Wednesday, October 17

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.

31 comments:

  1. So interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Hi Mary ~~ That was so interesting to learn about early Canadian women who left a mark. Glad to hear that the
    babies of Kristen are well. Prayers for her and them.
    Glad you liked my photos and got a laugh from the jokes I posted. Try not to let the weather get to you ~ every season has its good things, and
    we just have to look out for them.
    Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

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  3. Hi Mary,

    Yes, I enjoyed meeting each of them! Thanks for sharing a little of the history of Canada's fine women through this wonderful post.

    Smiles,
    Michele

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  4. We certainly do have a lot of Canadian women to be proud of:-) This past summer I was lucky enough to go visit the Laura Secord Homestead when I was in Niagara Falls...just a shame that it took so long for the government to recognize her as the heroine that she was! xox

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  5. Denise,

    Glad you enjoyed it. I don't believe that women have received proper recognition for their part in history.

    Wishing you a great day.
    Mary

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  6. Merle,

    I'm glad you enjoyed learning about a few Canadian women in history. Women don't get enough recognition for their part.

    I am also glad that Kristen's babies are doing well. Prayers are still in order, thanks.

    I always enjoy your photos and jokes. They brighten my day.

    Another warm day here today. There was a thick fog last night, but it's better than the nasty wind we had for a few days.

    Have a great day.
    Mary

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  7. Michele,

    Glad you enjoyed it. Women need to receive more recognition for the part they played in history. They're more than deserving.

    Enjoy your day.

    Mary

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  8. Pea,

    I've been to the Laura Secord Homestead. If you ever get a chance, be sure to visit Pauline Johnson's as well. It's very interesting. It's on Hwy # 54 just outside of Brantford, ON. You'd enjoy it.

    Wishes for a wonderful day.
    Mary

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  9. Have you seen the statuary behind the parliament buildings that celebrate some of these women?

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  10. Hi Mary--My mom, who was born and raised in Montreal, always said she found Canadian history so much more boring than American history. Obviously, in her day, Women's History was not one of the classes offered. Thanks for the fascinating facts about these very interesting Canadian women.

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  11. anvilcloud,

    No, I haven't been to Ottawa in 30 years, but would like to take a trip up there. Maybe next year.

    We have a statue in our cenotaph that pays tribute to women of WWII. That's a start.

    Thanks for dropping by. I hope you have a wonderful day.

    Mary

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  12. Joan,

    I found Canadian history boring as well. As a child, I delved into American history because I found it fascinating. I love researching history. There's so much to learn about the world.

    Thanks for stopping by. Your visit was most welcome. Have a wonderful day.

    Mary

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  13. This is a fascinating post! Wonderful.

    Thank you for visiting my TT post but I do want to respond to your comment. I don't feel ashamed at all of my past. I want to make that very clear. It is strange though and it does make you vulnerable when you share about your past with people who did not know you "back when".

    It is like sharing someone else's life and wondering what people will think about that person.

    The Lord removed my shame long ago.

    God Bless!

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  14. Kathleen Marie,

    Thanks for your comments on my Women's History Month post.

    You visits are always welcome.

    Have a wonderful day.

    Mary

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  15. Mary,

    I did enjoy meeting those remarkable Canadian women. Thank you!

    hugs,
    Tina

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  16. Tina,

    Wow! Nice to see you. I've missed you dropping by. Hope all is well with you and your family.

    Glad you enjoyed meeting these Canadian women of history.

    Have a beautiful day.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  17. What a wealth of great info Mary!!!!

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  18. What a great list of Canadian women! I'd love to learn more about them. I always imagined that Canada's women would have a strong pioneering spirit.

    You know...I'd totally forgotten we had invaded Canada. No one is safe from us, evidently.

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  19. Anni,

    Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    Mary

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  20. Canadian pioneer women were made of hearty stock. As in the US, they faced all kinds of trials and tribulations.

    Yes, the US did invade Canada. If it hadn't been for Laura Secord, we might have become part of the US way back then.

    Thanks for your comments.

    Mary

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  21. This is a nice list of Canadian Women who have made a great contribution to our Society.

    Here is a source of Timeline of women's contribution in Canadian history. http://www.famouscanadianwomen.com/timeline/timeline1900-1909.htm#top

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  22. Philip,

    Glad you enjoyed the tribute to these amazing women of history and thanks so much for the link. Much appreciated.

    Hope you had a great day.
    Mary

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