Who is Nellie McClung?

Jane Hobson
jane@pdgmedia.ca

March 8 was International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day that brings awareness to the fact that a serious gender gap still exists. The World Economic Forum predicts that parity won’t be reached until 2186. This year’s IWD theme is #BeBoldforChange. March is also Women’s History Month. While there are many bold women in history, we thought it fitting to talk to folks about Nellie McClung, a Canadian feminist, politician and social activist who campaigned for women to be able to vote in the early 1900s. Thanks to McClung, Manitoba became the first province in Canada to grant women the vote in January 1916. More than 100 years later, we can thank McClung for women’s right to vote in Canada.

Related articles

International Women’s Day at Staples in Carleton Place

: “I don’t know the name Nellie McClung. To me, Women’s Month is a time to remember and be reminded of the powerful contributions women have made through history. I think this focus is important to have because if we aren’t consciously addressing gender inequalities they won’t be eliminated and that is a huge loss to society. My mother is extremely loving and empathetic, always reminding our family to think about and help others. Her support and hard work ensures we’re really happy with what we do. Having a woman like this in my life let’s my whole family be happy, which would not be possible if she had any fewer rights or freedoms.” –Kyle Kazda.

: “Yes, I know who Nellie McClung is. To me, [Women’s Month] is a time of unity where women and men can come together and recognize the unique challenges and inequalities women face in today’s society. Progress can only be made through awareness. We need to be talking about the issues facing women in Canada, and abroad, to challenge misconceptions and outdated beliefs, to inform others, and to mobilize women, and men alike, to enact change. Awareness of the accomplishments and innovations of women not only helps us to rewrite history for generations to come, but helps to show young girls what they are capable of. As a researcher, being reminded of what these women accomplished, especially at a time of rampant sexism, is incredibly empowering. It validates my role in science and keeps me dreaming. I draw a lot of inspiration from women in science, like Jane Goodall and Margaret Mead. I think it’s safe to say that the real women in my life have had a more powerful impact on who I’ve become. My mother and my sister both represent models of strong women in my life.” – Alison Kirkpatrick.

: “I don’t know who Nellie McClung is, but women’s month is a great way to not only learn about individuals who have brought change to Canada but also the world. I think it’s important to acknowledge women in a historical context that have done amazing things, however, as we have seen in history, it has been very white, heterosexual and in some cases colonial also. My mom is my role model. It may sound cheesy, but she has shown me just how strong women are in society, especially in history, fighting for a place to work in their field. – Austin Pellizzer.

: “Yes, I had heard Manitoba got the first women’s vote but did not remember her name. I think it’s important to focus on our accomplishments because we weren’t even viewed as important for much of history. We have as much to give to society in so many ways as men. We need young women to feel empowered and that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to doing. Focusing on our accomplishments in history shows girls that with many things stacked against them, we can still make important contributions to society. –Laurel Turgeon.

: Women’s month helps us recognize the hard work that previous generations of women have done to allow me to have the rights that I have now. It reminds me of the importance of protecting the rights that we have won and that working for women around the world is my responsibility. When we work together and support each other we can make an impact and we can’t let those rights be eroded. My mother read the Feminine Mystique at a really impressionable age and worked hard to model feminist behaviour for us. She taught me that I have control over my own body and that I must stand up for equality. – Caroline Zeeman.