Born October 21, 1868, Horning's Mills, Ontario. Died December 18, 1940, Toronto, Ontario. Margaret's first career was as a teacher. In 1885 she studied at Victoria University, Cobourg, Ontario. In 1889 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in languages winning a silver medal for her studies. For the next two years she taught mathematics and chemistry at the Whitby Ladies' College. The next two years she was teaching French and German at Stratford Collegiate Institute before moving to Lindsay Collegiate Institute. She supported the idea of a women's residence when Victoria University relocated to the University of Toronto. She was president of the Victoria College Alumnae Association which working on obtaining funds for the women's residence. She gathered ideas for the residence during a trip to Europe with her sister in 1900. In 1903 Annesley Hall was the first university residence for women in Canada. Margaret was appointed as the first Dean a position she would hold for almost 30 years. The rules were strict with the door locked after dinner and lights out by 11 P. M. Gentlemen were only allowed inside on the second and fourth Friday evenings of the month or after church on Sunday. In 1906 she instituted the Annesley Student Government Association making students partly responsible for rules. Margaret often invited guest speakers to provide lectures for the students. That same year she began teaching as one of the first female university lecturers. In 1920 she was named Dean of Women, responsible for all female students of the college in Canada. Margaret moved with the times and in 1926 dancing was allowed in the residence. She retired in 1931 but continued her work with the Young Women's Christian Association, the Women's Missionary Society, and the United Church of Canada. In 1934 she became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The Margaret Addison Scholarship is awarded to female students for postgraduate studies out side of Canada. A new Women's residence was opened in 1959 and named Margaret Addison Hall. Source: D C B (2020)

Katherine earned her Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University, Ottawa. She completed her master's and doctorate at the University of Toronto. With a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council post-doctoral fellowship she attended Stanford University in California, U.S.A. She returned to Canada where she taught at the University of Concordia and Concordia University, Montreal prior to taking a position at the University of Waterloo in Ontario in January 1997. A specialist in Renaissance and seventeenth century English literature she has published a work on the diary of Lady Anne Clifford, a seventeenth century noblewoman. At Stanford University she studied the evolution of the concept of authorial intention in seventeenth-century English dramas, emphasizing its relation to discourses of gender, sexuality, and the body. Her published works includes essays on Behn, Clifford, Milton, Marvell, and Shakespeare in Writings Essays About Literature published in 2013. In 2019 she edited Early Modern English Marginalis, a collection of essays.  She is a winner of the Alice Wilson Award presented by the Royal Society of Canada. She was awarded the University Outstanding Performance Award in 2004, 2007, 2010 & 2013. She is working on editing a section of the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Early Modern Women's Writing and has commissioned 20 essays published around 2021. (2021)

née Brannick. Born February 11, 1894, Rosedale, Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Died January 5, 1952, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Pearl married Francis 'Franki' Kedslie Ackeroyd (1898-1982)  In 1926 and they settled on a dairy Farm in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia. The couple had two sons. Pearl was a charter member of the East Chilliwack Women's Institute and a member of the Chilliwack Horticultural Society. She enjoyed gardening and corresponded with other gardeners as far away as South Africa.  Pearl was also a school teacher at Websters' Corners in Maple Ridge, Lotbiniere, East Chilliwack and Rosedale.  In 1940 she was teaching at Cheam View for several years. Pearl's granddaughter would become a teacher at her grandmother's first school  at Websters' Corners in 1961. Source: Family Stories. online (accessed 2023); Find a Grave Canada. online (accessed 2023).

Born July 8, 1905, Blackwater, Ontario. Died December 17, 1993, Toronto, Ontario. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Toronto (U of T) with a degree in physics in 1926, and her post graduate Master's in 1927 followed by her doctorate in 1931. She worked as an assistant demonstrator of physics and in 1933 did a year of postgraduate research at Cambridge University, England with a Royal Society Fellowship. Back at the University of Toronto she worked again as a demonstrator but was also a lecturer in physics. In 1941 she was promoted to assistant Professor but was paid less than male assistant professors. She became the first woman to be appointed to the Physics Department at the U of T. She was also a founding member of the Canadian Association of Professional Physicists. A loyal University of Toronto employee, she wrote the history of the university Physics Department. She retired in 1972. You can read about her place and struggle for recognition of her ability to work in a dominant male occupation in the book Great Dames. Her official papers are maintained at the Archives, U of T.  Source: Alison Prentice, Elizabeth Allin: Physicist in Elspeth Cameron and Janice Dicken, eds. Great dames. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1997. Sources, University of Toronto, Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021).

Born May 27, 1922, London, England. Died October 17, 2018, Montreal, Quebec. Margaret would grow up in Pretoria, South Africa where she earned degrees in 1944 from the University of Witwatersrand and did postgraduate studies at the British Postgraduate Medical School. She married Maurice McGregor (1920-  ) in 1948 and the couple had two children. In 1950 she became a junior Lecturer in Medicine at the University of Witwatersrand. In 1957 she immigrated to Montreal, Quebec where she worked in the Department of Medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Department of Epidemiology and Health at McGill University where she would become an Emeritus Professor. In 2007 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada for her “outstanding contributions to fighting lung disease through research and education for more than 60 years.” In 2011 she became a Grand Officer in the National Order of Quebec. The Montreal Chest Institute Foundation created the Dr. Margaret Becklake Fellowship in her honour paying the salary to trainees in respiratory research who come from a low or middle-income country and/or Canadian Indigenous community. (2021)

Born 1897. Died November 10, 1988. In 1921 Margaret began her teaching career in Leamington, Ontario. For a total of 39 years she taught and served as principal. She returned experience to her profession when she became president of the Federation of Women Teachers Association of Ontario. In 1953 she was awarded the Queen's Coronation Medal and in 1967 she was once again honoured, this time with the Canada Centennial Medal. In 1959 the Margaret D. Bennie Public School was built in Leamington. Source: Canadian Obituary Record 1988 by Robert M. Stamp. (Toronto Dundurn Press, 1989) p 21-21.(2021)

Born June 5, 1875, Port Hope, Ontario. Died March 24, 1964, Port Hope, Ontario. In 1885 Clara attended the University of Toronto (U of T). It was a time when women were not allowed in the reading rooms nor were they allowed to use library catalogues. Clara graduated in 1899 as the first women with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. By 1903 she was one of the first U of T women to earn a Doctorial Degree (PhD). Unable to find a job in her field, Clara became a demonstrator at the Lillian Massey School of Domestic Science at the U of T.  In 1905 the food science became part of the medical curriculum and Clara was promoted to the position of lecturer in biochemistry. She was the first women at the U of T to became a lecturer. In 1906 she served on a royal commission creating the Faculty of Household Science with Clara becoming one of the first two women to be an associate professors at the U of T. That same year she was the only woman to be a founding member of the American Society for Biological Chemistry. In 1915 she studied the chemistry of seafood and worked with the Canadian Department of Marine and Fisheries. During the war years (1914-1918) she worked on was to adapt food chemistry to explosives. In 1919 she was elected as a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Chemistry but was not allowed, as a women, to attend their annual dinner. She was listed in American Men of Science.  Fiercely interested in women's athletics she became the first president of the Woman's Athletic Association at the U of T. By 1926 she became a full professor and Head of the Department of Food Chemistry, a position she retained through to 1945. Off campus she worked on the national board of the Young Woman's Christian Association (YWCA) which led her to sponsor two French orphans during World War ll (1939-1945). In 1950 the Household Science alumnae of U of T created a fellowship in her honour. In 1959 the women's gymnasium was opened at the U of T and was named the Benson Building. In 1992 the Canadian Society of Chemistry created the annual Clara Benson Award for female chemists working in Canada. In 1964, the 100th anniversary of her PhD the U of T celebrated with a re-enactment of the defense of her thesis. (2020)

Born August 24, 1884, Guelph, Ontario. Died July 31, 1945*, Vancouver, British Columbia. Mary Louise attended the University of Toronto and graduated in 1906. Her Masters degree was earned at Columbia University, New York, U.S.A. in 1908. She worked as Director of women’s education and social welfare programs in Toronto and then moved on to be Dean of Women at Regina College in 1914 to 1921. In 1921 she was appointed the first Dean of Women at the University of British Columbia (U B C), a position she retained for 20 years. She was a founder of the British Columbia Teachers Federation and a delegate to several international women’s conferences. She was president of the Confederation of University Women in 1929-30. Suggested reading: Lee Stewart. It’s Up to You: Women at U B C in the early Years. * Some sources state August 1 as date of death. Source: http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/whoswho (accessed June 2009 ); Waterloo Region Generations online (Accessed 2024)  

Born August 1, 1953, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wanda is the first Black Canadian to have an academic tenure position and become a full professor at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She would serve as director of the Dalhousie School of Social Work for ten years. She was one of the founding members of the Association of Black Social Workers. She was also a member of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the status of Women and past chair. She has also served as a member of the National Coalition of Advisory Councils on the Status of Women. In 2004 she received the Order of Canada in appreciation of her work addressing racism and diversity in the field of social work. In 2014 she was inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia. She has served as Chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She has served as a member of the National Coalition of Advisory Councils on the Status of Women. On October 27, 2016 she was named to the Senate of Canada, sitting as an independent. She became the first Black Nova Scotia woman to serve in the Canadian Senate. (2021)

Born September 10, 1928, Caimanera, Cuba. Died July 7, 2022, Toronto, Ontario. Mavis grew up in Jamaica. At high school Mavis enjoyed sports. She went on to study at University College of the West Indies (U W I) then at at the University of London in England where she graduated with honours and a degree in history. She earned a post graduate Diploma in Education from U W I and after coming to Canada in 1971 she earned her Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Ottawa. She was always a welcome speaker at conferences discussing Education and International Development. She was named a Fellow of the Ontario Institute in Education (O I S E). In 1981, after have been an Education Officer with the Ontario Ministry of Education, she became chairperson and then president of the Ontario Advisory Council on Multiculturalism and Citizenship. By 1985 she had been appointed chair of the Ontario Social Assistance Review Board. S In 1987 she founded Women for PACE, later known simply as PACE Canada, and served as the first president.  The group existed to assist Early Childhood Education in Jamaica and soon expanded to include Canada. She was a member of the Ontario Black History Society. She holds the Order of Ontario, and the Queen's Jubilee Medal for services to education.  She was also mad an Officer of the Order of Distinction and has received the Prime Minister's Medal and has received an Award of Excellence from Air Jamaica. Source: Some Black Women by Rella Braithwaite and Tessa Benn-Ireland, Sister Vision Press, 1993; Obituary, online Accessed 2024); Tribute to Dr. Mavis Burke by Enid Lee online (accessed 2024)

Born April 9, 1925, Ottawa, Ontario. Died August 23, 2013, New York City, New York, U.S.A. Goldie sported beautiful red hair and the nickname 'Red' became common use. Graduating from high school at 16 she was too young to attend college. She worked at the National Film Board of Canada and fell in love with the cinema. She married Alex Myers, a film board editor but by 1953 she was a widow. She worked in  television distribution and married a second time to Lloyd Burns. The couple settled in New York, U.S.A. and had three children. She was a leader in the movement for public access to cable TV. She approached New York University about teaching a class using the “portapak” camera and the Interactive Telecommunication Program was established. She also started the York University, Toronto, Interactive telecommunication Program encouraging young students to follow their imagination. Source: “Godmother to Internet Wizards” by Douglas Martin, Globe and Mail, August 30, 2013. (2021)

Born July 18, 1928. Died August 12, 2007, Guelph, Ontario. Nora did her early University studies at West Virginia University and Pennsylvania State University, earning her Doctorate (PhD) in 1972. In 1970 she began her long association with the University of Guelph as an associate professor in 1970 and was appointed Professor Emerita in the Departments of Sociology and Anthropology.  A polyglot, she  spoke eight languages with knowledge and grace. She was known as an inspiring, receptive and compassionate teacher who during her career would assist some 300 plus students with graduate studies. In 1970 she taught her first Women’s Studies course and was among the team to convince the University of Guelph Senate to accept Women’s Studies as a major and minor topic in 1978. She authored three books an Latin American rural studies, an active subject of interest and innumerable articles for North American and international journals. The Nora A. Cebotarev Memorial Graduated Scholarship  was created in her honour for female international students from a developing country who have demonstrated commitment to social change. (2021)

Born October 15,1934, Shanghai, China. Died October 26, 2001, Toronto, Ontario. During World War ll  (1939-1945) Julia fled China and completed high school in Hong Kong. She studied at at the College of New Rochelle in New York, U.S.A. and then served as an Ursuline nun for two decades, completing a master's degree at The Catholic University of America, Washington D. C.  Julia obtained a doctorate in Asian Studies at The Australian National University in Canberra. She taught at Columbia  University, New York City and Yale University in the U.S.A. before joining the University of Toronto (U of T) faculty in 1978. Ching rose to prominence as a world expert on the neo-Confucianism and religion of the Song and Ming Dynasties of 10th- through 17th-century China. She wrote or edited 15 books including her definitive studies of the leading Ming Confucian, Wang Yangming, and the leading Song Confucian, Zhu Xi. In 2000, she was named a member of the Order of Canada. Her achievements garnered her election to the Royal Society of Canada and being named to the Scholars’ Council of the U.S. Library of Congress. In 1994 she was named University Professor, the highest honour the University of Toronto accords its faculty. Along with her colleague and husband, Professor Emeritus Willard Oxtoby of religion and South Asian studies, Julia was co-president and chief organizer of an international congress in Asian studies that brought over 1,000 scholars to U of T in 1990. Her autobiography is called The Butterfly Healing; A Life Between East and West. She participated in movements for world responsibility such as the Inter-Action Council, Science for Peace and the Canadian Pugwash. She is a Member of the Order of Canada. (2021)

Born September 7, 1905, Stayner, Ontario.  Died September 23,1991, Toronto, Ontario. In 1928 Kathleen earned a Bachelor of Arts  and in 1930 an Masters degree from Victoria College, University of Toronto. She went on to study in England at St. Hugh's College, Oxford, England, where she obtained her Bachelor of Literature in 1932. Returning to Toronto she accepted an instructors position in the English Department of Victoria College. She served as Assistant to the Dean of Women (1932-1935). She was appointed Professor of English at Victoria College in 1953 and Professor Emeritus in 1971. In 1949 Coburn edited The Philosophical Lectures of S.T. Coleridge and also published The Grandmothers. The Letters of Sara Hutchison followed in 1954. She was the general editor of The Collected Works of S.T. Coleridge. She was the recipient of several academic awards, including the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship to study the unpublished writings of Coleridge in 1953 and 1957/58, the Leverhulme Award in 1948, the Order of Canada in 1974, the Chauveau Medal in 1979, and the Rosemary Crawshay Prize in 1990. Sources: Kathleen Coburn Collection. E. J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013). Suggestion submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2020)

Born 1945. Martha studied to earn her Bachelor of arts from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. By 1988 she had earned her PhD in communication sciences from McGill. She taught at McGill  beginning in 1971 through 2005. In 2000 she was named Femme de Mérite de Montréal.  Until 2007 she was a professor at the University of Montreal. In 2007 she relocated to the Maritimes to work at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.  She has also served as a visiting professor at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. She was Vice President of the International Association for the Study of Child Language from 2007 to 2010. In 2009 she became a Chevalier de l’Ordre des palmes academiques by the French government While she was in Nova Scotia at Dalhousie she received Woman of Excellence in 2015. In December 2017 she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2017 she returned to McGill as the Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec where she is the recipient of the McGill University Prize for her contributions to research. She was the Chair of the Board for the Institute for Ocean Research Enterprises. She was also the Canadian academic member of the federal government’s Joint Canada-Brazil Committee and was the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Network of Centres of Excellence in Marine Environment Observation Prediction Response (M E O P A R).(2019)

Born February 21, 1914, Sherwood, Prince Edward Island. Died February 13, 2007, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As did her sister, she attended Prince of Wales College. By 1935 she had had a calling to do the work of God and became a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Martha and became known as Sister Mary Peter. Later the Order would allow members to use their given names. She and Sister Mary Ida Cady became the first female students at St. Dustan’s University of PEI. Sister Bernice became the first woman to graduate from the University in 1941. She was a teacher for the next fourteen years and then returned to St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, U.S.A. to earn a PhD in Sacred Doctrine in 1958. Teaching once again in her beloved PEI she joined the faculty at St. Dustan's’ and in 1966 she was the first female head of Religious Studies. After 1979, in retirement, she found time to continue her passion of writing. She worked writing book reviews for several publications. She also remained in touch with the university as President of St. Dunstan’s University Board. Source: Outstanding women of Prince Edward Island Compiled by the Zonta Club of Charlottetown, 1981. (2021)

Born 1946, Hamilton, Ontario. Patricia earned her Bachelor of Arts and her Master's degree from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She attended the University of Ottawa to study and earn her PhD. She began her working career as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta  and went on to be an assistant professor and full professor in English and film studies. Among her specialties are children's literature and contemporary women's writing. In 1983 she published A Garland from the Golden Agee: An Anthology of Children's Literature from 1850 to 1900 which has seen several editions. From 1991 to 1993, she was Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and in 1992 she published Women as Interpreters of the Bible.  From 1995 to 1998 she was Department Chair. From 1998 to 2002, she was Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She was made a Fellow of Royal Society of Canada in 2000 and served as its 1st woman to be President from 2005 to 2007. In 2005 she published her forth book Women's Writing in English: Early Modern England. Patricia has also contributed numerous articles to scholarly journals. She has been awarded the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies, the Arts Faculty Teaching Award and the McCalla Research Professorship and in 2005 the University Cup from the University of Alberta. In 2012 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. On June 30, 2016 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. (2020)

Born January 14, 1862, Clarenceville, Quebec. Died November 10, 1941, Montreal, Quebec. Carrie attended Clarenceville Academy and received her teacher training at McGill Normal School (teacher's college) in 1881. She was teaching when she was just 15 and by the time she was 19 she was a school principal! She would go onto studies for her Bachelor degree at McGill University, Montreal, in 1890 and become top of her class. She began teaching at the Trafalgar Institute for Girls in 1890, while also working part-time as McGill's first female botany demonstrator. She went on to earn her Master's degree in 1896 and then on to study at the Academy of Science, London, England, Harvard University, USA, and Bonn University, Germany. Although she completed the required research to earn a Doctorate degree (PhD) from University of Bonn, Germany, she did not receive her degree because the university did not give degrees to women. Returning to Canada and McGill University in 1905 she was promoted to Assistant Professor at one-third the salary of male colleagues. In 1909 she took on the role of chair for the Department of Biology when the former head was ill. Upon the death of the ill professor in 1910 Carrie continued as Chair of the department for another three years. In the 1910 issue American Men of Sciences Carrie was listed as one of the few women in the publication. In 1912 McGill searched for a male head of the department. In 1912 she was officially appointed as professor and Carrie became the first woman professor at an university in Canada. A feminist and activist she was president of the Montreal Suffrage Association from 1913 through 1919. She believed strongly in birth control the need for mandatory school attendance and care for 'abnormal' children.  From 1920 to 1937 Carrie was the first Woman on the Protestant Committee of Public Health in Quebec. She did not receive a raise in pay for this promotion or a seat on the faculty as she was considered to hold 'courtesy title' only. Carrie would found the McGill University Genetics Department. Upon retirement from McGill in 1929, due to poor health, she was awarded the honorary title of Professor Emerita making her the first Canadian woman to hold this tile.  She was also and activist in women's rights. and a co-founder and a life member of the National Council of Women.  Montreal boasts of a Carrie Derick Street. McGill University created the Carrie M. Derick Award for Graduate Supervising and Training. In 2007 Carrie Derick became designated as a National Historic Person. Google, the internet search engine, created a 'Google Doodle' in recognition of her 155th birthday January 14, 2017. (2021)

Penelope Billings Reed Doob

née Reed. Born August 16, 1943.  Died March 11, 2017, Toronto, Ontario. She grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A. She studied at Harvard University to study English literature and included in her studies theatre and dance before attending Stanford University in California, U.S.A.  Her PhD thesis became her 1st published book. In 1966 she married  Prof. Anthony Doob. and the couple settled in Canada in 1968.  She taught first at the University of Toronto and then became a professor at York University in Toronto. She became one of Canada's leading dance critics. She began writing for the York Dance Review but was soon writing for the Globe and Mail newspaper and hosted a CBC radio show called The Dance. It was her knowledge of dance that led to her helping Karen Kane complete her autobiography. In 1973 she and her husband separated. With the Aids epidemic in the 1980's striking the dance community so hard She became a part-time research associate at Toronto Western Hospital HIV clinic. In 1985 she married a second time  to professor Graham Parker (d 2000).  Taking a leave of absence from York University she founded the Reed McFadden medical research company. In 1994 she returned to York University becoming chair of the Department of Dance from 2001-2006 She wrote a major literary study, The Idea of Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity Through the Middle Ages. She retiring in 2014 she died of complications of Parkinson Disease. (2020)

Born October 14, 1917?, Manitoba. Died May 17, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba. After the death of her father when she was twelve she helped her mother care for the family of five children teaching her siblings to read and write. She earned her teaching certificate from Central Normal School, Winnipeg, Manitoba and began teaching in rural Manitoba in 1937 teaching grades one to grade nine. Leaving teaching she attended doing secretarial jobs in Windsor, Ontario while she attended business classes. In 1947 she was once again teaching in Manitoba. By 1949 she was teaching business classes at a high school in Virden, Manitoba. It was at this time that she worked on her university degree in business education taking courses at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta during the summer. In 1967, Dryden became an administrator for the Manitoba public school system, overseeing the business education curriculum for the Department of Education, a position she held until she retired in 1983. She would help define the curriculums for Industrial Arts and Vocational Industrial programs and introduced early computer systems. In the 1970 she taught business at the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College. She became well published in business education. After her retirement she continued her interest in computers keeping up with the latest technology. From 1984 for twelve years she taught computer skills to elementary school children and began giving computer classes for seniors. At 101 in 2018 she was teaching four times a week at a retirement learning centre and the Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, Winnipeg. In 2017 she was honoured with a special evening by the Manitoba Teachers' Society and the City of Winnipeg awarded her the Community Service Award. She also received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. Isabella is a Member of the Order of Canada. At 101 she received the Soverign's Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General. At 102 she was still teaching about computers. (2024)

Indigenous / Chinese Research Scientist

née Quon. Born August 24, 1944, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Lillian is of the Cree Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan through her mother and a first general Chinese Canadian through her father. Lillian's mother lost her Indian status when she married and the family lived in many small Saskatchewan towns hiding their indigenous heritage to protect themselves from racism. In 1968 she earned her B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan. She followed her formal education with an Masters in Science in 1970 and in 1981 a Doctorate (PhD). She has worked as a Neuroscientist at the University of Saskatchewan becoming a full professor and associate Dean of the University. Her research has contributed to developing and patenting new drugs to treat Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s diseases. In 1997 she received a House of Commons citation as a role model for girls in science. On March 12, 1999 she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. On March 24, 2005 Prime Minister Paul Martin appointed her the Senate of Canada. Lillian became the first First Nations Senator and Canadian-born Senator of Chinese descent. That same year she received the Saskatchewan Centennial Commemorative Medal. She is one of the 1st Aboriginal women to pursue an academic career in the sciences. She fought off stubborn attitudes, resentment and threats during her career. Even so, she encourages youth to follow their dreams of a scientific career. In 2017 a play by Kenneth T. Williams was based on her life called Cafe Daughter. In 2019 she was honoured with a Woman of Distinction Award Lifetime Achievement for the YWCA in Saskatoon. Source: Canadian Who’s Who 2006.  (2020)

née Green. Born June 29, 1914. Died September 15, 2016, Burnaby, British Columbia. Thelma attended the University of Toronto (U of T) graduating in 1932. She began her entomological career in 1937 as a Technical Officer for the Canada Department of Agriculture at the Belleville Research Institute. She was one of the first women scientists to enter the federal government research branch. In 1967 she was appointed Assistant professor and Curator of Entomology at Simon Fraser University, (S F U) and the first women in the Department of Biological Sciences. A founding member of S F U's Centre for Pest Management she became a full professor in 1976.  She was a Professor Emeritus for the Department of Biological Science at S F U in 1979. The Thelma Finlayson Society at the University is named for her as is the Thelma Finlayson Centre for Student Engagement. As a student counselor she helped more than 8,000 students as she worked past the age of 95.She wrote approximately 40 research papers, and several books in entomology. She severed as director of the International Organization of Biologists. In 2005 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. She was elected a lifetime Member of the Canadian University Women's Society. In 2007 she was recognized with a YMCA Woman Of Distinction Award and in 2010 she received S F U's Chancellor's Distinguished Service Award. In 2012 S F U named a new student Centre in her honour. (2024)

Born September 16, 1921, Munich, Germany. Died July 22, 2016, Toronto, Ontario. During the Nazi regime in Germany in World War ll Ursula was separated from her parents and sent to a forced labour camp and fortunately were reunited in Berlin after the war. In 1948 she earned her Doctorate ( Ph.D). in experimental physics from the Technical University of Berlin. Offered a post doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto she moved to Canada becoming a senior scientist at the Ontario Research Station from 1952-1967. An expert in metallurgy and materials science she was the first woman to become a professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Toronto. She authored some 100 research papers and reports and is an acclaimed contributor to books on the structure and properties of metals and alloys. She contributor to the 1977 report: Canada as a Conserver Society which recommended steps to reduce wasteful consumption and environmental problems it causes. She was active in the Voice for Women (V O W) and called for the U.S. military withdrawal from Vietnam. She fought for the right to refuse military service on the grounds of conscience to be extended to the right to refuse to pay taxes for war preparations. The case was refused by The Supreme Court of Canada. In 1982 she was named as an Officer of the Order of Canada and this was upgrade to Companion of the Order of Canada in 1992. In 1987 she was presented the Elsie Gregory McGill Memorial Award for her contributions to education, science and technology.  In 1989 she was the author of the Real World of Technology based on her 1989 Massey lectures for CBC Radio. In 1990 she was inducted into the Order of Ontario. After her retirement she was part of a group of women she fought for pay equality from the U of T. The university made a pay equity settlement to some 60 retired women faculty. In 1991 she received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case for advancing the equality of girls and women in Canada. In 1995 the Ursula Franklin Academy, a high school in Toronto, was founded.  In 2006 the Ursula Franklin Reader included her articles and speeches on pacifism, feminism, technology and teaching. In 2012 Ursula was inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame. In April 2013, Franklin donated her extensive collection of writings devoted to Chinese culture and history to the Confucius Institute at Seneca College in Toronto. Sources: Ursula Franklin, Quakers in the world, Online (accessed September 2009) ; Dr. Ursula M. Franklin, United Nations Association in Canada. Online (accessed 2009) (2021)

Born November 3, 1896, St John, New Brunswick. Died August 20, 1990, Toronto, Ontario. Madeleine graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. A summer job inspired her to return to university to to further study geology at the University of Toronto in 1923 earning both a Masters degree and then a PhD in 1926. She is the first woman in Canada to receive that level of studies in geology.  She pursued a career as a paleontologist, she would rise to associate director of the Royal Ontario Museum of Paleontology. For many years she was a geology professor at the University of Toronto. She was only the 2nd woman in Canada to be elected to the Royal Society of Canada. She authored numerous substantial articles for scholarly journals. In 1967 she received the Canadian Centennial Medal.  Her scientific studies of the Toronto Area stand as definite works. (2021)

née Appleby. Born March 27, 1917, Toronto, Ontario. Died January 6, 2020, Toronto, Ontario. Reva earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1938 and went on to graduated with her Master of Arts degree in 1939. That year she married Bertrand Gerstein and the couple had two children. Continuing her education she earned her Doctorate (PhD) in 1945 fro the U of T. In 1945 she became National Director of Program Planning for the Canadian Mental Health Association beginning a decades-long association. With the C M H A she originated Canada's Mental Health Week and ran a weekly mental health program on C B C radio. She was hired as the first Child Psychologist in the Ontario School system by the East-York-Leaside Board of Health. From 1954-1958 she was National President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. She was also the first woman director of McGraw-Hill Ryerson Publishing Co., Maritime Life Assurance Co., Avon Inc., and the international Nickel Co.(I N C O). In 1974 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1979 she married David Raitblatt. In the 1980's she was Chair of the Toronto Mayor's Action Task Force on Discharged Psychiatric Patients which recommended the establishment of several mental health services including the Gerstein Crisis Centre where Reva found chair. In 1988 she was awarded the Order of Ontario. She also had helped establish the Hincks Treatment Centre for Adolescents (now SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health). She was recognized as a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association. 1992-1996 she was the first woman Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. In 1997 she was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada. Obituary online (accessed 2023) .

Marketa Goetz - Stankiewicz

Born February 15, 1927, Liberec, Czech Republic. Died November 6, 2022, Vancouver, British Columbia. Marketa emigrated from her home in 1948. She attended high school and university in Toronto (U of T) and then at Columbia University in New York City, U.S.A. She received her Doctorate degree (PhD) from the U of T in 1957. She would edit, write, and teach her love of Germanic studies. Among her many awards is a Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Teaching 1972 and in 1988 she received the order of the Ordo Scriptores Polemic in Prague, Czech Republic. In 1992 she received the Hlavake Medal of the Czech Academy of Science. She is Professor Emerita at the University of British Columbia. (2020)(2023)

née Fitch. Born 1865, New Minas, Nova Scotia. Died March 1946, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. On June 4, 1885 Alice became the second woman to graduate from Acadia University. The following year, 1886, she was the first woman to receive a Master’s Degree from Acadia University. From 1989 to 1893 she taught at Acadia Ladies Seminary. In 1893 she moved to Toronto serving as Principal of Moulton College. On June 17, 1896 she married Rev. Donald Grant and the couple moved to Quebec City where their two children were born. In 1904 there were in Strafford, Ontario but soon moved to Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. for Donald’s failing health. By 1906 Alice and her children were settled in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Alice taught Latin and History at Acadia Ladies Seminary until she retired in 1925. After retirement she became librarian at Morse Library at Acadia University. She would become the first woman to serve on the Senate of Acadia University. Source: Biography, Esther Clark Wright Archives, Acadia University online. (accessed April 2013) (2021)

Naomi Elizabeth Saunders Griffiths

Born April 20, 1934, Howe, England. Naomi began her post secondary studies at London University and received her Bachelor of Arts in 1956. Her Masters studies were done at the University of New Brunswick in Canada and her PhD was earned in 1969 at London University in England. She was drawn back to the University of New Brunswick and began a life long interest in the history of the area of Acadia and it’s peoples. She was a lecturer at Carleton University, Ottawa, in 1961 starting another life long relationship. In 1979 through 1981 she was the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Carleton University, one of the first women in Canada to be appointed as a Dean. In 1998 she was appointed Professor Emeritus at Carleton University. She reached beyond the students in her classroom with her numerous writings on Acadian history and her work on the history of the Centennial History of National Council of Women of Canada, Ottawa: Carleton University, 1993 In 1994 she was appointed an officer in the Order of Canada. Her research on the history of Acadian continued and she entered the new millennium by publishing an additional work in 2007, From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Boarder people 1604-1755.  Source: Canadian Who’s Who   (2021)

Born July 3, 1928, Champion, Alberta. Died January 5, 1996, Lethbridge, Alberta.  Elma studied for her Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta and went on to earn her post graduate Master of Education from the University of Oregon, U.S.A. In 1951 she joined the Lethbridge School District. After teaching for a few years she became Assistant Supervisor of Physical Education for Elementary Schools in the District. and then Supervisor of Physical Education.  In 1969 she worked as principal of Lakeview School and became involved with the physical education classes. After retiring in 1980 she taught for a year at the University of Lethbridge. At the provincial level she worked with the Curriculum Committee for Physical Education for Elementary Schools. She gave seminars and workshops across the province and served as president of the Southwestern Teachers Convention. She received the Robert Routledge Award from the Alberta Teachers Association Health and Physical Educations Specialist Council. She also sat on the boards for the Young Womens Christian Association (Y W C A) and the United Way Boards. She also volunteered at the Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association and taught Keep Fit classes for local seniors. Source. Legacy of Lethbridge Women, Lethbridge Historical Society, (2005; Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021)

Born September 3, 1919, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 15, 2002, Longueuil, Quebec. Jeannine studied at the University of Ottawa earning her B.A. in 1939. Jeannine taught for a short period of time in Cornwall and Mountain, Ontario. By 1945 she had earned her Master's degree in psychology from the Université de Montréal. From 1947 for the next three decades she was Director of the Montreal Counseling and Rehabilitation Centre which she helped to found. She also founded the Quebec Psycho-Education Centre which she directed from 1953 to 1969 while teaching psychology at the Université de Montréal. In 1969 she received her doctorate (PhD) from Université de Montréal and she helped create of psychoeducation serving young people in difficulty. In 1974 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1976, she co-founded the Mariebourg Center and Rehabilitation Institute, which she directed until 1984. In 1990 she was inducted as a Chevaliere of the National Order of Quebec and in 2002 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal. After her death she was inducted as a Commander of the Order of Montreal. (2020)

Born 1870, New Brunswick. Died 1897, Virginia, U.S.A. Lalia was raised in Dorchester, New Brunswick. She graduated as the first Canadian Black person in the Maritimes from Acadia Ladies College in Wolfeville, Nova Scotia in 1889. She  relocated to Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. to be a teacher at Hartshorn Memorial College. She was one of only two Black teachers at the time.  She fell ill and died at 27 and her students held a service in her memory. She was buried in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Source: Rediscovering the Roots of Black s in New Brunswick. online (accessed 2022)

Francess Georgina Halpenny

Born May 27, 1919, Ottawa, Ontario. Died December 25, 2017, Toronto, Ontario. In 1941 Francess earned her Master's Degree in English language from the University of Toronto (U of T). With the World War ll (1939-1945) storming over Europe she decided not to continue her education as she would have liked and signed up with the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the War she became  known for her energetic and courageous editor working as head of the editorial department at the U of T Press from 1957-1969. She was general editor to the mammoth project of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography and at the same time Dean of the Faculty of Library Science, University of Toronto from 1972-1978. She was awarded the Molson Prize in 1983 and inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1979 and promoted to a companion of the Order of Canada in 1983 while she was serving as President of the Royal Society of Canada. She received the U of T Faculty Award in 1985 and the University of British Columbia Medal for Canadian Biography in 1986. She was presented with the Governor General's Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of Confederation in 1992. She has also received 11 honorary degrees from various Canadian universities including the University of Guelph in 1969 when this librarian and web page writer remembers her speaking at her graduation ceremony. In 2013 she decided to enter the Sunnybrook Veterans Wing for long term care in Toronto. (2021)

Born Fergus, Ontario. In 1910 Mary became head of the physical education at the Margaret Eaton School of Literature and Expression, (MES) a private girls school in Toronto, Ontario. She promoted physical education and developed it to a level of professional acceptance as an educational medium. She offered Monday evening dance classes which were one of the early forms of organized recreation for women in Toronto. In 1912 she developed an evening course in physical training. During World War l she arranged Patriotic Fetes in Toronto allowing students to raise funds for Canadian prisoners of war. She would work from the school until 1934. Upon her retirement her replacement at the school Florence Summers encouraged merger with the University of Toronto and the establishment of the first bachelor’s program in physical education. During her tenure at M E S Mary was directing physical education at the YWCA served as principal at M E S and opened a summer camp, Camp Tanamakoon, located in Algonquin Park, for girls offering the 1st comprehensive camp leadership training courses for women in Canada. She also hosted the founding meeting of the Canadian Physical Education Association in 1933. Source: John Byl, Mary G. Hamilton: Committed, Dedicated Pioneer Made a Difference. CAAWS/ACAFS. Online (accessed April 1999) (2021) A Brief History of Camp Tanamakoon online (accessed 2024)

née Pearlman. Born September 18, 1936, Calgary, Alberta. Died April 13, 2019, Victoria, British Columbia. Marsha earned her Bachelor of Arts and her Master's from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A. She attended Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.A. to earn her Doctorate (PhD). She has held various academic positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Brandeis University, Dalhousie University and the University of Calgary where she co-founded the Faculty of General Studies in 1981. She served on the first Advisory Committee to the Women's Health Resources Unit at Grace Hospital in Calgary. She served on the first Advisory Committee to the Women's Health Resources Unit at Grace Hospital in Calgary. She has also served as a director or on the boards of The Toronto Dominion Bank, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the National Education Committee of the Conference Board of Canada, the Foundation for the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and The Winnipeg Foundation.  Marsha served as the first woman to be President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1989 to 1999. In 1998 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. She has served as President of the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership from 1999 to 2006. In 2007 the Marsha Hanen Global Ethics and Dialogue Program at the University of Winnipeg was established through a generous donation by Dr. Hanen. The Marsha Hanen Award of Excellence in Creating Community Awareness recognizes activities of faculty and staff of the University of Winnipeg who reinforce the value of a liberal arts education. Marsha is a Member of the Order of Canada. She also received the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. The University of Winnipeg has also named a street, Marsha Hanen Way, in her honour. Sources: In Memorium, University of Calgary 2013 online (accessed 2021); Memorable Manitobans online (accessed 2013)  (2021)

Born  August 17, 1928, Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar). Died October 7, 2009, Toronto, Ontario. Jennie  graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with Honours in English Literature from the University of Rangoon in 1951. She went on to obtain a Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong in 1953. By 1961 she received a Ph.D. from the University of London in the United Kingdom. 1962 to 1969 she taught English language and literature at United College, Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as visiting universities in Britain and the United States, including a period as Visiting Scholar at the Harvard-Yenching Institute, Harvard University. Jennie emigrated to Canada in 1969, and went on to teach English and Canadian literature at Trent University and the University of Toronto. In 1981 she earned a Master of Library Science, University of Toronto, and from 1982 until her retirement in 1993 she held the position of Librarian of the Ontario Women’s Directorate.  Sources: Jennie Huie Collection. E. J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013). Suggestion submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born December 11, 1922,  St Catherines, Ontario. Died July 5, 1992, Ottawa, Ontario. Pauline would use her own educational background from Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Radcliff University in the USA, Harvard University in the USA, Oxford University in England, and London [England] School of Economics as a background for being a politician, educator, and professor of political science. She was an elected member of parliament in the 1960's and again in the 1980's. In 1962 she ran, unsuccessfully, as a Liberal candidate for a seat in the house of commons in the riding of Northumberland, Ontario. The following year she won a seat by 505 votes. In 1972 she was a New Democratic Party candidate in the riding of Ottawa West but did not win a seat in the House of Commons. She was appointed President of Simon Fraser University in 1974, the first woman to be head of a major co-educational university in Canada. In 19769 she was elected to the federal parliament for the riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam in British Columbia. She was appointed Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa in 1990, a position she held until her death. In 1992 Carleton University renamed its women's studies program to become the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women's Studies. She was also an Officer in the Order of Canada. (2021)

Born 1975. Poland. At 17 Joanna immigrated to Canada. She participated an the Canadian Physics Olympiad and won a position representing Canada in the international level in Beijing, Republic of China where she earned a bronze medal. She attended Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, for her undergraduate program. In 2002 she earned her Doctoral Degree (PhD) at Princeton, University, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. and went on to study at Harvard and Rutgers universities in the U.S.A. She works as a professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.  Source: Canadian Girls Who Rocked the World by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Walrus Books 2001.(2020)

Born August 15, 1915, Turkey. Died September 22, 2011, Montreal, Quebec. During the First World War (1914-1918) she fled with her family to Syria and from there to France. After completing her education at the Sorbonne with an advanced degree, she became a teacher of music. In 1952 she emigrated to Canada, settling at first in Saskatchewan and then in Quebec. She proudly became a Canadian Citizen in 1960. From 1966 thought to 1981 she worked as a professor at the Université de Montreal as a musicologist. She retired as Professor Emeritus. She worked with Radio Canada as a commentator on culture. She was co-founder of la Societé de musique contemporaine du Québec. In 1980 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada which was upgraded in 1992. In 1985 she earned the Prix-Calixa-Lavallée and became an Chevalier of the National Order of Quebec.

née Dubska. Born June 18, 1929, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Died January 28, 2023, Toronto, Ontario.  Eva lived in France, 1939–1945, then returned briefly to Czechoslovakia after World War II, before coming to Canada. In 1949 she married Don Kushner, who would become a distinguished Professor of Microbiology at the University of Toronto. The couple had three sons. She received her university education at McGill University: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology, 1948, her Master's Degree in Philosophy, 1950, and her Doctorate in French Literature, 1956.  She began teaching in 1952 and in the 1950's she was a Lecturer at various institutions, including McGill, and University College London. In 1961 she moved to teach at Carleton University, becoming a Full Professor of French and Comparative Literature in 1969. She joined McGill in 1976 as Director of the Department of French Language and Literature. Professor Kushner was named President of Victoria University in 1987 through 1994. She continuing to teach, as well as acting as the Director of the Northrop Frye Centre, 1988–1994 when she became a Professor Emeritus. She contributed to the academic world in many capacities, including serving as Chair of the Royal Society of Canada Committee on Freedom of Scholarship and Science, 1993–1998, as a member of the Canada Council Advisory Academic Panel and Executive Committee, 1975–198, and the Modern Language Association of America Executive Council, 1983–1988. She is the author of numerous scholarly publications and articles. Professor Kushner was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997. Sources: Eva Kushner Collection. E .J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013). Submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021) (2024)

Born August 1, 1871, London, Ontario. Died May 3, 1939, Ontario. Annie graduated from the Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Annie and Clara Benson were the first women to be an Associate Professor in 1906 at the University of Toronto (U of T0 . By 1920 Annie held full professor status. From 1907, when the Faculty of Household Science was established, though 1936 Annie was in charge of the Faculty of Household Science at the U of T. Even though it was a full designated faculty she was never given the title of 'Dean'. With a substantial donation from philanthropist, Lillian Massey Treble, a new faculty building was constructed and opened in 1913. The new building contained classrooms, laboratories, staff offices as well as the only athletic facilities opened to women such as a gymnasium and a pool. The faculty program was phased out in the 1960's when courses were being offered elsewhere on campus. The 2007 renovated building now houses the Department of Classics and the Centre for Medieval Studies. The Annie Laird Fellowship is presented annually. Source: Find a Grave Canada (2022)

Born February 2, 1899, Lefebvre, Ontario. Died March 2, 1930, Montreal, Quebec. Jeanne suffered from poor health as a child and was eight when she began attending school. At 13 she began taking piano lessons and at 15 obtained a diploma in stenography. In 1919 she was housekeeper for her broth the village priest in Vars, Ontario. In 1921 she began teaching in a separate school in the District of Sudbury in northern Ontario. She went on to teach a class of 60 students in nearby Azilda, Ontario and finally by September 1922 she was teaching in Naughton, Ontario, but left with fatigue and depression. In the fall of 1923 she was hired to teach French at in Pembroke, Ontario law meant that communication and instruction in French required permission from inspectors. and could be taught for no more than one hour per day. The school head thought it foolish to teach children two languages. Within a month an Anglophone sister was teaching French. Supported by francophone parents and the Association Canadienne-Française d'éducation d'Ontario took up Jeanne's cause. Protests and petitions followed and a 'free' school outside government control was established. Jeanne not only taught at the school bur also raided funds to keep it running. Soon other "free' French school opened in the province. The regulations against the French language teaching was finished officially in 1927. After her death she was called the 'Maid of Pembroke' and pilgrimages where mad to her tomb in the 1940's. Several Ontario schools were named in her honour. Source: D C B (accessed 2023)

Born Quebec. Pat earned a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of New Brunswick. She went on to earn a Master's Degree at Central Michigan University in the U.S.A. She married Robert 'Bob' Lang. She became a teacher at the college level and worked at various colleges in Quebec and Ontario. While working she learned that it was important to align college programs with their communities. In 2000 she became president of Confederation College, Thunder Bay, Ontario and worked there through to 2011. She set up the first Canadian program in Nursing to allow students to train thin their own home down and developed programs with First nations. She has served on various boards such as Cancer Care Ontario, Ornge, Toronto Board of Regional Health Services, Post secondary Education Quality Assessment. Getting involved in her community she officiated at high school and University Basketball for more than four decades. She is a member of the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame. She has also rec3ived the Dean's Award for Outstanding Achievement from Central Michigan University. In January 2017 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. (2021)

Born March 4, 1869, St. Peter's Bay, Prince Edward Island. Died May 1, 1934, Pasadena, California. U.S.A. Annie attended Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1893 followed by her Master's Degree in 1895. She studied philosophy and modern languages. She went on with her education at the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. earning two doctorate degrees in 1897 and then in 1900 as one of the first women to earn a doctorate in sociology in North America. She would teach sociology at Royal Victoria College, Montreal for her first year after graduation. She was appointed Professor of Sociology and Dean of Women at Stetson University, Florida from 1901-1903 and then became a professor of sociology at Adelphi College, Brooklin, New York, U.S.A. from 1906 through 1914. From 1907 through 1910 she was also a Director of Sociological Investigation for the National Board of the Young Women's Christian Association (Y W C A)  where she researched the conditions of working women. She was an active member of the American Sociological Society and the American Social Sciences Association. Annie was a prolific writer in her field and also published tow  works of social commentary as fiction. She retired to live in California. In 2014 Mary Jo Deegan wrote Annie Marion MacLean and the Chicago School of Sociology, 1894-1934. Source: ECWW online (accessed 2022); D C B

Born July 6, 1908, Chelsey, Ontario. Died September 6, 1986, Toronto, Ontario. Jeanne earned he Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto and her Doctorate (PhD) in 1935. In 1938 she married zoology professor Kenneth Fisher. Jeanne became the first woman appointed professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto in 1964. She was president of the Royal Canadian Institute in 1980. She has received honours for her scientific achievements and has promoted the role of women within her field. Jean created the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences Equal Opportunity Committee.  The Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences, University of Toronto presents every second year to a eminent Canadian woman to receive the Jeanne Manery Fisher Memorial Lectureship. (2021)

Born November 15, 1915, Roxbury, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  Margaret entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity on August 15, 1915 and took her first vows on March 31, 1918 becoming sister Francis d'Assisi. She served at St. Patrick's in Halifax Nova Scotia teaching high school of 17 years. She also spent time visiting the poor where she learned more from the life experience thant previously from textbooks. In 1938 she was sent to Mount Saint Vincent College where she was appointed a dean and registrar. In 1953 she received the Coronation Medal for the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth ll for her pioneer work in education. In 1954 she became president of the College. It was during her tem as president that the College became a University in 1966.  That same year she received the Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice Medal from Pope Paul  Vl.  She retired in 1967. Upon retirement she became Congregational Historian and Archivist. The Saint Vincent University residence dormitory was named in her honour as Assisi Hall. Source: Sisters of Charity  175 Sister Profiles online (accessed 2024)

née McIlvena. Born September 23, 1903, Manchester, England. Died April 22,1958, Lethbridge, Alberta. As a young girl Janet came to Lethbridge, Alberta with her family where she she enjoyed a great improvement in her health. She studied music in Toronto and returned to Lethbridge to become Supervisor of Music for Lethbridge Schools. Janet married Alexander Vincent McLeod (1903-1988). In 1927 she was organist and choir director for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Janet became involved in provincial music festivals competing and as an official. In 1930 she was the paramount figure in the Lethbridge Music Festival. She contributed to Lethbridge radio music programs and led her own C B  C school music radio program, School of the Air. She also directed the woman's chorus, the Treble Clefs. In 1953 she stimulated the Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge to take over an annual event that became known as the Kiwanis Music and Speech Arts Festival. The Kiwanis Club created the Janet McLeod Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship in her honour. The Alberta Teachers Association  Janet McLeod Memorial Shield for top school coral was also created in her honour. The city of Lethbridge has named a street in her honour. Source: Legacy of Lethbridge Women, Lethbridge Historical Society, 2005; Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021)

née Barr. Born 1937, Leeds England. Died January 29, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. Jane was educated at the universities of Leeds and Kent at Canterbury, England. She taught at Victoria College in the English Department at the University of Toronto from 1964–1997 and from 1982–87 she was Vice-Dean of Arts and Science. She is the author of several volumes including  Scott’s Last Edition: A Study in Publishing History (1987) , was awarded the British Academy’s Crawshay Prize in 1988. Professor Millgate was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1986 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1994. She has served on numerous editorial boards, including Dalhousie Review, Victorian Review, Papers of the Bibliographical Society of Canada, English Studies in Canada, and Collected Works of Northrop Frye. A professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, she is also a member of the advisory board for the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels and one of the founders of the Toronto Centre for the Book. Her Union Catalogue of Correspondence of Sir Walter Scott comprises over 14000 records for letters from and to Scott, is published by the National Library of Scotland. Sources: Jane Millgate Collection. E. J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013). Submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021) (2024)

Born January 29, 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Died October 4, 2008, Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a youth Marial excelled at dance. At 18 she joined the Albertine Rasch Girls, a 50 member acrobatic dance troop performing at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, U.S.A. She was visiting home in Halifax when World War ll (1939-1945) broke out and she volunteered for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps serving in posts across Canada and in Britain. Her unit was disbanded in June 1946. A scholarship from the Department of Veterans Affairs allowed her to enter Acadia University to complete a Bachelor of Arts which she followed with a Masters Degree in sociology. In the militia in 1951 she was back in uniform as advisor to the Eastern Command running summer training camps. Heading back to the classroom she earned a second masters at the University of Toronto and a Ph.D at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. In 1974 she founded the Canadian Studies program at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, and rose to the rank of Major in the militia. In 1984 she created the Marial Mosher Scholarship for students excelling in Canadian Studies and Sociology/anthropology. In 2004 she received the Order of Nova Scotia. In 2008 she published her book, One Woman’s World War ll Story (Halifax, Glen Haven Press, 2008) telling of her service in Great Britain and Canada. Source: Order of Nova Scotia Online (accessed July 2008) Google obituaries “Marial Mosher; Dancer, soldier turned anthropologist was ahead of her times on Native issues”. (accessed July 2008)  (2021)

Heather Anne Elyse Lilian Munroe-Blum

Born August 25, 1950, Montreal, Quebec. Heather earned her Bachelor degree and her Bachelor of Social Work from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She continued her studies for a Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario and her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.A.  In 1970 she married Len Blum and the couple have one child. She taught at York University, Toronto, (UofT) McMaster University, Hamilton and at the University of Toronto. From 1994-2002 she served as Vice-President of Research and International Relations at UofT. In 2003 she became the first woman to serve as McGill University President and Vice Chancellor where she served until 2013. She has authored works in over 60 scholarly publications and published four books. She has served on the board of directors of the Medical Research Council of Canada (now the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) as well as on international reviews of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health (USA). In 2003 she was inducted into the Order of Canada and in 2009 she was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. (2020)(2024)

née Ward. Born April 12, 1960, Kenora Ontario. Died January 8, 2018,  Duck Mountain, Manitoba. Sherry moved with her family to western Manitoba and was raised by her grandfather and later by her father on the family farm which was located on Treaty 4 / Qu'Appelle treaty territory. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Brandon University and went on to teach elementary, middle school, and high school in the Frontier School Division and the Norway House Cree Nations Schools. While working at Norway House she became the centre co-ordinatior for the Brandon University northern teacher education program and then centre co-ordinatior in Dauphin, Manitoba. When the Indian Act was amended in 1985 her mother was reinstated to have Indian status and Sherry and her siblings also gained Indian status. She would  found the Onikaniwak summer institute which provided First Nations, Inuit, and Métis teaching for senior educational administrators. Her life partner was Leo Nijssen and the couple had one son. She was also stepmother  to two children. She returned to university to earn a master's degree and began teaching at Brandon University. By 2011 she had earned her doctorate degree (PhD) from the University of Manitoba and two years later she was the academic vice-president at the University College of the North in The Pas. She would retire in 2015. Throughout her career she would combat systemic racism in educational systems and institutions. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2017 she went on to work as a consultant in Aboriginal education. The Dr. Sherry Lynn Peden Indigenous Graduate Scholarship Fund is maintained by the University of Manitoba.   Source: Nellie McClung Foundation. online (accessed 2024); Obituary online (accessed 2024)

Born 1910, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Died 1996, Toronto, Ontario. After Secondary School in Switzerland Laure studied arts and literature at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, before moving to Toronto in 1928. She took a teaching position at Victoria College’s French House while studying at the University of Toronto (U of T). She earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). in 1933, a Master's Degree. in 1935 and a Ph.D. in 1946. She was the first woman U of T faculty member to earn a Doctorate Degree (PhD). As a Professor of French at Victoria University, she conducted courses in the study of French-Canadian authors, and Quebec’s place in la francophonie. At the same time she supported the teaching of theatre. She was a member of numerous organizations including Chairman of the Canadian Swiss Cultural Association, Honourary President of the Alliance Française, and founder and President of the French Salon in Toronto. She was  recipient of numerous awards, including the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in France 1971, the Officier d’Académie, the Officier d’Instruction Publique, Officer of the Order of Canada, and Dame of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. She has wrote many articles and reviews for French Canadian and French American journals, and journals in France. Sources: Laure Eva Rièce Collection. E. J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013). Submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2020)

Agnes McCausland Richardson

Born  August 19, 1920, Chaffey’s Locks, Ontario, Died March 23, 2007, Ottawa, Ontario. Agnes moved with her family to Winnipeg, Manitoba and spent her youth there. She was active in the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian Red Cross during World War ll. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario in 1941. She married William Moore Benidickson in 1947. They had three children. She served as  president of the National Association of Canadian Clubs, and president of the Canadian Council on Social Development. She was elected to Queens University’s board of trustees in 1969, and from 1980 to 1996 she served as the first female Chancellor of Queens University. Sources: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 26 March 2007: Memorable Manitobans. Profile by Angela Graham (accessed December 2011) (2020)

Constance 'Connie' Rooke

Born  November 14, 1942, New York City, U.S.A.  Died October 4, 2008, Toronto, Ontario. In 1964 she graduated from Smith College and went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, and her PhD from the University of North Carolina in 1973. During her student years she married short story writer Leon Rooke. The couple had one son. The young academic settled at the University of Victoria in British Columbia where she edited the Malaha Review becoming a lifelong champion of Canadian literature. In 1979 she initiated the Women’s Studies Program at University of Victoria and later chaired the Women’s Studies Department and served as Academic Vice-President. In 1988 the family moved to Guelph, Ontario where Connie worked as Chair of the English Department and became Associate Vice-President (Academic). In 1989 the couple founded the Eden Mills Writer’s Festival which continues to showcase the best writers in Canada. In 1999 the couple were in Winnipeg where Connie was Vice-Chancellor at the University of Winnipeg. Moving again in 2002 the couple settled in Toronto. Connie served as president of PEN Canada from 2005-2007 where she edited three anthologies of Canadian literature as fundraisers for the writers’ organization dedicated to freedom of expression. Source: Constance Rooke by Sandra Martin. Globe and Mail October 5, 2008 online (accessed August 2011)  (2021)

née Barnes. Born March 25, 1942, Petrolia, Ontario. Died May 25, 2014, Whitehorse, Yukon. When graduating from grade eight, Sheila earned the Lambton County Public Speaking contest in 1957.  In 1969 she achieved her teaching degree at the London Althouse College (Teachers College). She began teaching in her home town of Petrolia. She married Floyd McCormick and the couple had two children. By 1976 she had returned to university earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, London. She was teaching grades four and five when she developed the Cana-Kits Project which helped teachers with social studies. the kits are collections of stories, photos, taped interviews, newspaper clippings and crafts collected by students that tell of their hometown life. 200 classrooms across Canada twinned to that every year a class could learn about a different town. In 1980 her teaching efforts was recognized with the Order of Canada. By 1982 she held a Master's Degree from the University of Windsor in Ontario. By 1988 she had completed her doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Connecticut, U.S.A. In 1989 she relocated to the Yukon to work as Director of Curriculum at the Department of Education. While in Whitehorse, Yukon, she was active in local, national, and internationals educational programs. In 2002 she was a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. She worked at the Yukon Department of Education until 2002 when she moved to the Women's Directorate and the Department of Justice. She retired from the Government of the Yukon in 2005. She provided her time working with various organizations including the Yukon Food and Learning Association, MacBride Museum, the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, the No Fixed Address outreach van, and the local soup kitchen.  In 2012 she received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Source: Canuckstoirans: History for Kids by Kids, Online Accessed 2022); Obituary, online (accessed 2022)

née Levi. Born January 30, 1897, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 8,1989, Toronto, Ontario. Evan as a child Mattie exhibited a powerful desire for leaning and retention of knowledge. In 1921 she earned her Bachelor Degree in Mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto (U of T). In 1924 she married Meyer Rotenberg (1894-1958) a lawyer and businessman. The couple would have five children. By 1926 she had completed her doctorate and was the first woman and First Jew to earn a Doctorate (PhD) in Physics at the U of T. Her thesis “on the characteristics X-rays from light elements” was actually published in 1924. In 1929 she founded the Hillcrest Progressive School the 1st Jewish Day School in Toronto. She served as a director through to 1944. Mattie also enjoyed being a journalist, in 1930 she worked for the Jewish Standard writing a women’s column. From 1939 through 1966 she was a regular commentator on the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (C B C) Trans Canada Matinee, which was dedicated to women’s issues. In 1945 her work was recognized by the Canadian Women’s Press Club (C W P C) with the presentation of the Memorial Award. In 1947 she covered the session at the United Nations and the Status of Women for the CBC.  By 1941 she had returned to the University of Toronto where, until 1968, she was a demonstrator at the University physics laboratory. She was always a strong family oriented person who made sure the younger generations knew of their religious beliefs. Sources: Mattie Levi Rotenberg by Nessa Rapoport. We Remember, Jewish Women’s Archives. Online (accessed December 2012) (2021)

née Arulpragasam. Born April 11, 1952, Colombo, Sri Lanka. As a Fulbright-Hays Scholar, Indira earned a Master's of Science from the University of California, U.S.A. in 1976. In 1980, she earned a PhD in metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia. She was Vice-President Research and held the Dofasco Chair in Advanced Steel Processing at the University of British Columbia prior to becoming President of the University of Alberta. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Nova Scotia, is Chair of the World-wide Universities Network, is a member of Canada’s Science, Technology, Innovation Council. She has served on the Public Policy Forum of Canada, Minister’s advisory committee on Canada’s Global Commerce Strategy, the Conference Board of Canada, and the Prime-Minister’s Committee for the Renewal of the Public Service. Dr. Samarasekera received the E.W. R. Steacie Memorial fellowship in 1991, awarded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to the top 4 researchers under 40. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2002 for outstanding contributions to steel process engineering. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (C I M M), an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Mining, Materials and Petroleum Engineering, its highest honour and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering. July 1, 2005 she became president and vice-chancellor of the University, a position she held until June 30, 2015. Dr. Samarasekera received a Canadian Learning Partnership Award in 2008 and a Leadership Award, by the CASE District VII, USA in 2012 and the Peter Lougheed Leadership Award from the Public Policy Forum in Canada in 2012. That same year she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and became chair of the Worldwide Universities Network. In 2014 she was named Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering. In 2018 she was awarded the Bessemer Gold Medal by the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining.   Source: University of Alberta Online (accessed April 2014)  (2021)(2024)

née Sharp. Born January 12, 1865, Woodstock, New Brunswick. Died April 11, 1937, Woodstock, New Brunswick. Minnie trained in music in New York City, U.S.A. in the early 1880’s. She taught for a while in New York and later in Fredericton and Woodstock, New Brunswick. In 1893 she purchased the Victoria Conservatory of Music in Victoria, British Columbia serving as principal until 1900. September 12 1899 she married Klondike ethnographer, Edwin Tappan Adney and the couple had one son. Returning to the Maritimes she opened the Woodstock School of Music which she ran for two decades. She also followed in her father’s footsteps as a horticulturalist in the family orchards and nurseries. Unfortunately she did not have a strong sense of finances and became quite impoverished. She was the first New Brunswick woman to file nomination papers to run in a federal election, entering the 1919 race for the Victoria-Carleton riding. However, her name did not appear on the ballot. She suspected that her nomination papers were lost on purpose. She ran again for that federal seat in 1925, but was not elected having received only 84 votes. Source: New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Celebrating Achievers; Behind Every Successful Woman Are All the Women Who Came Before Her., September 2002. Online (accessed January 2016) (2021)

née Sirois. Born March 12, 1878, Quebec City, Quebec. Died February 2, 1934, Quebec City, Quebec. After the death of her mother she boarded at a convent for her education. She Graduated in 1896 and in February 1898 she became a novice at the Congregation of Notre-Dame in Montreal. Poor health was the cause of her leaving the convent in 1900. In 1901-1902 she traveled in Europe. After she retuned to Quebec she took  French literature courses at the Laval University which had been opened to accept women for these individual courses. In May 1904, partly to encourage students to study literature, Laval University created a certificate in literary studies. Marie was allowed to study but she was not allowed to attend graduation. Her graduation diploma was mailed out to her. Marie Married Joseph-Pierre-Henri Boivin, a lawyer, on October 20, 1908 and the couple had six children. Marie dedicated herself to ensure her children received an education.  In 2003 Laval University presented a copy of her certification of graduation to one of her descendants. Source: D C B

Born December 6, 1891, Forest Junction, Wisconsin U.S.A. Died 1976, Saskatchewan. Timmie moved to Saskatchewan from the United States in 1917. She worked as a secretary while studying at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1940 she earned a PhD at the University of Washington and returned to the University of Saskatchewan to teach economics. She would go on to write some of the basic Canadian economic works of the 1950's and 1960's. In 1959 she became the first woman to be appointed as a provincial Magistrate in Saskatchewan. She would become the first woman to be elected to the executive committee of the American Economics Association from 1957-1960. Working with Roger Carter (1922-2009) she would seek to help Indigenous students to enter the study of law. Among her many awards were being elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 1951, the Canada Centennial Medal 1967, and the Order of Canada in 1976.

SEE - Writers - Authors

Born Capreol, Ontario. Died September 24, 2005, Wolfeville, Nova Scotia. In 1953 Lois graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (U of T). She went on to earn her teaching certificate teaching at various locations in Ontario and Quebec. In 1962 she earned her Master’s Degree and in 1965 she earned her PhD from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. She arrived at Nova Scotia’s Acadia University in 1968 and by 1973 she had helped develop and taught their 1st Women’s Studies classes. In 1974 Lois taught the 1st Women’s History class and was part of the group that founded the journal Atlantis. In 1982 she was appointed Dean of Arts at Acadia. She chaired the Wolfville’s Heritage Advisory Committee helping to preserve the oldest academic building in Canada: The Ladies Seminary, which received national heritage designation. Lois married fellow educator Dr. Gabriel Fischer (1922-2008) and the couple had four children. The Lois Vallely Fischer Award for Democratic Student Citizenship is presented annually to a student in their final year of undergraduate study by the Acadia University Faculty Association. The Lois Vallely-Fischer Award  for Democratic Student Citizenship Source: Herstory; The Canadian Women’s Calendar 2010. (2021)

née Shade. Born July 8, 1927, Kainaissksahkoyi Reserve, Alberta. Died November 20, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Flora survived having been forced to attend residential school for Indigenous students. During school holidays and summer vacation their parents taught Flora and her siblings traditional culture as well as the family tradition of telling stories. Flora furthered her education with Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta and a Master's of Education at the University of Manitoba. She also holds a Standard Teaching Certificate from the University of Alberta. A teacher who has taught in dozens of schools in both Manitoba and Alberta Flora has coordinated school programs for Fist Nations Schools in both Manitoba and Alberta. She coordinated the project that published 4 volumes of Stories from the Elders of Kainaa Nation (Blood Reserve), Alberta. She has lectured at the University of Manitoba, Brandon University, University of Lethbridge, Alberta and the University of British Columbia. She is a founder and active member of the Keteyatsak Elders and Seniors Inc., is active with the Maternal Child Health Advisory, has served as Deer Lodge Hospital Eucharistic Minister, worked with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Elders Advisory Committee and served on the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Board. She has been awarded Special Recognition as Aboriginal Educator by the Aboriginal Circle of Elders, received the Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition award and has been inducted into the Native Hall of Fame in the Education category. Flora has also been inducted into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt from the Manitoba Provincial Government. In 2010 she was honoured at the Keeping the Fires Burning aboriginal awards celebrating female leaders for preserving First Nations culture and serving as role models for younger generations. Flora married Stanley Zaharia and the couple had two children. Sources; Matt Preprost, “Gala recognizes accomplishments”.  Winnipeg Free Press, June 18, 2010 Page A13; Flora Zaharia, Directory of Members, Storeytellers of Canada. Online (accessed October 2015).( 2021)

Born November 12, 1876, Emerald Junction, Prince Edward Island. Died April 27, 1925, New York City, New York, U.S.A.. After completing her education in 1892 in her home province taught aboriginal children in eastern and central Canada. she joined the staff of the Montreal Star in 1903 until 1906. In 1904 she was a member of a group of Canadian women journalists who were sponsored by the Canadian Pacific Railway to travel and cover the St Louis World's Fair. It was during this trip that she participated in the founding of the Canadian Women's Press Club (CWPC). By 1906 she had moved west and was working with the Edmonton Bulletin where she covered the news from the Alberta provincial legislature. That same year she published her 1st book, a biography of her uncle. In 1908 she was appointed as the 1st Provincial Archivist of Alberta. While in Edmonton she was one of the founders of the Catholic Women’s League. In 1914 she became Assistant to Agent General for Alberta in London, England where she befriended the Irish sentiment for independence. By 1920 she had written a draft biography on William Van Horne. The biography was published but not under her name but that of editor Walter Vaughn. It was about this time that she moved to Washington DC, U.S.A. in order to lobby for Irish independence. She also traveled to Australia to support the Irish cause before settling in New York City, New York, U.S.A. As well as having been a journalist she authored two biographies. Archbishop O’Brien: man and churchman (Ottawa, 1906) and Father Lacombe: the Black Robe Voyageur (Toronto, 1911). Source: Linda Kay, Sweet Sixteen: the Journey That Inspired the Canadian Women’s Press Club, 2012; D C B  (2021)

Born February 21, 1932, Toronto, Ontario. Died August 28, 2018, Toronto, Ontario. Phyllis earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto in 1954.  She began her working career working in 1956 at the Circulation Department at the Main Library at the University of Toronto. The following year she was working at the Reference Library and Archives at the University of Rochester, In New York State, U.S.A. In 1966 after having worked in libraries for a decade she graduated with a Master's in Library Science from Syracuse University, New York State, U.S.A. After graduation she worked in the Serials Department at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, where she prepared a printed catalogue serial holdings. She spent the next year at the College BiblioCentre, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University) in Toronto. From 1967 through 1998 she worked at various library positions at York University Libraries, Toronto. In 1985 she published Canadian Poetry: Index of Criticisms 1970-1979. By 2001 she and Beverly Smith has published as update to the Index to Criticism as a First Supplement 1980-1989. All during her career as a librarian she had never given up on the idea of being an archivist. In 1989 she earned her certificate in Archives from the National Archives of Canada and became an archivist at York University. She was a member of the Ontario Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, and after retirement the Ex Libris Association, and York University Retirees Association. Source: Ex Libris Association. Online (accessed 2019)  (2021)

née Langille. Born 1926, Pictou, Nova Scotia. Died April 17, 2020, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shirlee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history and would spend most of her working career working with the Hudson's Bay Company (H B C). In 1960 she married Richard Alfred Smith. She worked to promote the idea of having the H B C archives brought to Canada. In 1970 she received the Manitoba Centennial Medal from the Manitoba Historical Society. In 1973 she was in London, England preparing the HBC records to be transferred to Winnipeg, Manitoba after which she became the first H B C archivist in Canada. She would conduct workshops, write articles, book reviews, and edit manuscripts relating to H B C history. In 1977 she was a co-founder with Helen Spinks Burgess of the Watson $ Dwyer publishers using their mothers' maiden names. They would published books specializing on western Canada and the industry of the fur trade. From 1982 to 1984 Shirlee served as president of the Manitoba Historical Society. In 1984 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. As well she served on various Boards and Committees including with the National History Society, the National Archival Board, and City of Winnipeg Advisory Board of the Arts.. She retired from H B C in 1990. In 1995 she received an Award from the Province, and in 2002 she received the Queen Elisabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2012 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal.  Source: Memorable Manitobans, online (accessed 2022)

Born March 12, 1940. Died August 18, 2012, Toronto, Ontario. By the time she was 29 Cathie had married Ron Oberholtzer and was mother to four children. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and MA from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario and went on to receive her Doctorate (PhD) in anthropology from McMasters University, Hamilton, Ontario. She specialized in Algonquin Art as expressed in their decorative clothing. She was the only scholar in the world to do this type of studies. She wrote a book: Dream Catchers: Legends, lore and artifacts, published posthumously, September 2012. Source: Obituaries, The Globe and Mail, August 22, 2012.  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa. (2021)

Born July 4, 1931, Alert Bay, British Columbia. Died April 19, 2023, Alert Bay, British Columbia. On September 10 1949, Gloria Cranmer, future film maker and linguist. became the first Indigenous woman to attend the University of British Columbia. She graduated with a degree in anthropology. Her first job was as a counselor for first time offenders in prison. She married John Webster, executive director of the Saskatchewan John Howard Society. Eventually the couple settled with their three children on the west coast. Gloria worked with the Vancouver Y W C A and later became program director for the Vancouver Indian Center. In 1971 she became assistant curator for the new British Columbia Museum of Anthropology. From 1960 through 1991 she served as curator of the U’mist Cultural Centre in Alert Bay. She has authored several books and co-piloted a project to create to transcribe the sounds of the Kwak’wala language. She worked with the Museum of Civilization on the creation of the Great Hall and served as a member of the Board of the Museum of Civilization. Her contributions to British Columbia native life are remarkable. She was awarded the Heritage Society of British Columbia’s Heritage Award in 1996.  Source: Gloria Cranmer Webster, ABC Book World (accessed November 2012) (2024)

Born November 10, 1823, Westbury, Lower Canada. Died December 5, 1898, Toronto, Ontario.  Mary was an educator, administrator and a poet. She occupied several positions in various schools. As preceptress at Wesleyan Academy in Mount Allison, Sackville, New Brunswick she held the highest office in a school open to a woman. She would also serve as Ladies Principal of the Ontario Ladies College in Whitby Ontario. She was an effective and determined advocate of academic education for women. In 2004 she was declared a National Historic Person by the Canadian Government. Source:: D C B  (2021)

Marie Jeanne Antoinette Anctil

Born December 27, 1875, Saint-Anne-de-la Pocatière, Quebec. Died December 4, 1926, Montreal, Quebec. In November 1904 the School Household Science in Montreal is established to professionalize domestic work and promote public Health. The school sent Jeanne to Europe along with Marie De Beaujeu to study and broaden knowledge in training for domestic sciences. Jeanne was one of the first French Canadians to complete European education in Domestic Science and Domestic Economics. The newly chartered Ecole Ménages Provincials accepted students in December 1906 with Jeanne as co-principal with Antoinette Gerin-Lajoie who had also studied in France. By March 1907 a three month teacher training course was added to the curriculum. In May 1907 at the 1st congress of the Federation Nationale Saint-Jean Baptiste, a women’s group were very supportive of domestic training as they saw it as essential for wives and mothers. Jeanne fought to have various levels of government accept the discipline for recognition and financial help. Source: D C B (2021)

Born 1916, Amherst, Nova Scotia. Died 1965, Montreal Quebec. Daisy was a recognized teacher of art who had a strong influence on her students.  In th 1940's Daisy taught at the Nova Scotia College of Art. Also in the 1940's she taught children at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in Manitoba.  In 1958 she as teaching in Lachine, Quebec and at  St. Lambert. She also exhibited her own art 1940-1943 at the Art Association of Montreal Spring Exhibitions. Source: Canadian Women Artists History Initiative online (accessed 2023)

Born 1841?, Orono, Ontario. Died February 8, 1888, Morleyville, Alberta. Like many young women of her era, Elizabeth, attended Normal school to become a teacher. In 1874 she was teaching at Orone, Ontario, when she decided to head the call for teachers and missionaries to go to the Canadian Northwest. Her first post was at Whitefish Lake Mission a 100 miles northeast of Fort Edmonton with the Rev. Henry Bird Steinhauer, ‘Shawahnekezhik the first aboriginal ordained minister in the Methodist Church', his wife Jessie Joyful Mamanuwartum and their 12 children. The journey to arrive in the Canadian northwest took several months. She was the first First Nation Christian Missionary in the Northwest. Elizabeth taught there two years and made sure that Henry’s son, Egerton Steinhauer, could continue with the Whitefish Lake school. While at Whitefish Lake Elizabeth had learned the Cree language. Elizabeth also loved to write and some of her letters were published in the Christian Guardian and the Missionary Notices of the Methodist Church. Some of her poems were published in the Methodist magazine. In 1877 she was one of six women to sign Treaty No. 7 with the local tribes. Her second assignment was with Reverend George McDougall and his family at the Morley Mission. Here she studied the language and customs of the Stoney. She was soon relocated to Fort Macleod where she opened a public School, the 1st in southern Alberta. She also held the 1st Methodist Religious Services at Fort Macleod. Suffering from ill health she returned to Morleyville. Cochrane, Alberta is proud to be home to the Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School, named for the first professional teacher in Alberta. Source: 200 remarkable Alberta women. Online (accessed October 2014) ; Elizabeth Barrett, Journal, Historic Sites & Archives of the Alberta & Northwest Conference,  United Church of Canada vol. 10 n0. 1 May 1977. online (accessed 2021)

Born Queens, New York , U.S.A.  Although raised in the United states she has spent most of her adult life in rural Nova Scotia. She is married and has three children. Her avocation is her profession which is teaching. She taught school and was even a principal before becoming a teacher at the Faculty of Education at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her work goes beyond the class room as she writes articles and books to help teachers in their ongoing careers. She has even ventured into video aids. For teachers. She had bee bestowed with a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Educational Press Association of America for her series of articles in Teaching k-8 magazine. Her real enjoyment however comes from sharing her love of the abundant nature she enjoys around her rural home and her love of reading. She wrote a book of children’s poetry and several children’s picture book sharing her love of nature. The Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union has honoured her as a six time recipient of the Educational Quality Award. Sources: Writers Federation of Nova Scotia Web site:  (accessed May 2008) as well as her own web site. Some of the above information was provided through personal correspondence. (2021)(2024)

Born September 15, 1921, Kerala, India. Died November 10, 2012, Guelph Ontario. After earning her masters degree in sciences Pari immigrated to Canada to study for her Doctorate at the University of Toronto in 1955. She began work at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph as the first woman on the faculty. She married Dr. Vasanth Basrur and the couple had one daughter. She would author over 200 scientific articles for journals and books but is perhaps best known for her dedication to her students, many of whom endearing called her “Mamma Basrur”. She mentored 5,000 veterinary students.  She received many honours during her life time: YMCA/YWCA Woman of Distinction; the Norden Award for distinguished teaching; the Order of Canada and in 2012 the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Source: Obituary, Globe and Mail , November 17, 2012 ; Guelph loses leading veterinary scientist ‘Mama’ Basrur. The Guelph Mercury, November 13, 2012. (2021) (updated 2023)

Wanda Thomas Elaine Bernard

Born August 1, 1953, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wanda is the first Black Canadian to have an academic tenure position and become a full professor at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She would serve as director of the Dalhousie School of Social Work for ten years. She was one of the founding members of the Association of Black Social Workers. In 2004 she received the Order of Canada in appreciation of her work addressing racism and diversity in the field of social work. In 2014 she was inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia. She has served as Chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She has served as a member of the National Coalition of Advisory Councils on the Status of Women. On October 27, 2016 she was named to the Senate of Canada, sitting as an independent. In 2016 She became the first Black Nova Scotia woman to serve in the Canadian Senate. (2021)

Born Ontario. Died Ontario. From 1911 through 1937 Alice taught with the Lethbridge School Division, Alberta. When the school principal at Galbraith School enlisted her to serve as a teacher during World War 1 (1914-1918) she was appointed as an interim principal. She was the first woman in Lethbridge to attain such a post. Sadly the original principal was killed during the war and Alice was appointed to the position permanently. She loved golf and practiced her swing getting gold balls at recess and noon hours with her students retrieving the balls for her. She was an active member of the Quota Club which was founded in 1936. In 1937 she retired from teaching and returned home to Ontario. Alice Birch Pointe Rd in Lethbridge is named in her honour. Source: Legacy of Lethbridge Women. Lethbridge Historical Society, 2005. (2021)

Born 1891, Emerson, Manitoba. Died August 7, 1992,  Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Grace graduated from Winnipeg Normal School, (teacher's college) then taught in rural, town, and city schools. She married A.M. 'Monty' Blue and the couple had two sons. Settling in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she played an important role in the establishment of the provincial Home and School movement that sought to enhance co-operative teacher-parent relationships. In 1926 she founded the Home and School movement and served as first president of the Buena Vista Home and School Association. She helped organize the 1st citywide council in Saskatoon, and also participated in the organization and leadership of the Association provincially and nationally. Blue was the 1st woman elected to the High School Collegiate Board in Saskatoon. She also served on the 1st  advisory committees for the Salvation Army and the School for the Deaf, was president for the Women’s Canadian Club, and became a life member of the Saskatoon Council of Women. During World War II she did extensive voluntary work to support the war effort, and served in leadership positions with wartime women’s committees in Saskatoon. She received the Canadian Red Cross Society Badge of Service and a Centennial Medal. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan Online (accessed February 2014) (2021)

née Cumming. Born 1921, Pilkington Township, Wellington County, Ontario. Died April 17, 2010, Elmira, Ontario. In 1939 Margaret graduated high school having earned the best overall student award. In 1941 she graduated from Hamilton (Ontario) Normal School (teacher’s college) Later in life in 1974 she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario. Her main career was that of a lifelong teacher. She married Lorne Bolender and the couple had two children. She was also an avid gardener, in fact a master gardener, who encouraged planting butterfly gardens and encouraged children with disabilities to garden. She was an active member of Trinity United Church. She served as the first woman president of the Elmira Fair Board and president of the North District Women’s Institute from 1996-98. In 1984 she was presented with a Bicentennial Certificate of Merit from the Province of Ontario. In 1997 she was Oktoberfest Senior Citizen of the year and that same year she was presented with an award by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. Source: Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. Online (accessed July 2014. )  (updated 2023)

Died February 10, 1997. In 1920, Eleanor took up her first teaching position, in Ethelbert, Manitoba, and later taught at Elm Creek. During the 1930s, she became one of the first female school principals in Manitoba, in charge of the Roland High School. From there, she went to the Central Normal School in Winnipeg, where she instructed during the 1940s. She also did educational radio addresses,  In 1941, she was elected president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. In 1950, she received a Doctoral degree (PhD) from the University of Manitoba based on research about the historical use of readers in Canadian schools. From 1948-1956 she was one of the first female School Inspectors in Manitoba. She joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in 1956 and remained there until 1967. She was Superintendent of Ramah Hebrew School until 1971. She wrote several textbooks for use in schools. In 1966, she was given the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John II In 1977, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal and was inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of more than half a century devoted to education. Sources: Order of Canada. Online (accessed January 2012.) ; Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 12 February 1997, page 36. ; Memorable Manitobans. Profile by Gordon Goldsborough. (accessed December 2011) (2021)

Beatrice Maude Bradshaw

Born July 31, 1885, Guelph, Ontario. Died March 25, 1972, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1891 Beatrice  moved with her family and settled near Morden, Manitoba  She began her teaching career at Morden, and Deloraine and Lauder before she joined the staff of the Winnipeg School District in 1908. After two years at Stratcona School, she became Principal of Cecil Rhodes School. She left the employ of the Board in 1913, only to return to teaching at Machray School, from 1914 to 1922, when she became Principal of the newly-opened David Livingstone School. In 1929, she became Primary Supervisor for the District, with special emphasis on the education of handicapped children. She retired in June 1946 and lived alternately in the warmer climates of Florida, and Jamaica. Sources: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 March 1972, page 16.; Memorable Manitobans. Profile by Gordon Goldsborough. Online. (accessed December, 2011) (2021)

Ann Elizabeth Connor Brimer

Born 1940, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Died July 22, 1988, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ann was educated at McGill University, Montreal, the University of London and the Atlantic Institute of Education. Later in life she would return to graduate studies at Dalhousie University. She began her career as a teacher in her home province of Nova Scotia. She earned a position as executive Director  of the Canadian Learning Materials Centre and was program co-ordinator of Continuing Education at Dalhousie University. She would found the first children’s bookstore in the city of Halifax and became the Atlantic Representative for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. She was also a founding member of the Nova Scotia Coalition on Arts and Culture. In 1990 the Nova Scotia Library Association established the Ann Connor Brimer Award to be given to a resident of Atlantic Canada for a book published in Canada that has made an outstanding contribution to Children’s literature. Source: Anne Conner Brimer Award, online; Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021)

Died 1937. Annie married Richard Broder in Regina, Saskatchewan, and became step mother to two sons. In 1903 the family relocated to Calgary, Alberta. A lover of music, she composed a march called The Ride of the N W M P in 1906. In Calgary Annie founded choral and orchestral groups. Between 1914 and 1928 when the Calgary symphony was disbanded Annie arranged events where young musicians could perform and learn. In 1934 she represented Canada at the Anglo-American musical conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. Source:  200 Remarkable Alberta Women, (Famous Five Foundation, 1999).(2021)

Mary Margaret 'Margery' Brooker

Born 1901, Dumfries, Scotland. Died 1955, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Margery received a Master of Arts from Glasgow University, Scotland, and studied languages at Rouen, the Sorbonne in France as well as  the University of Hamburg, Germany.  She immigrated to Canada in 1929, and worked as a teacher at Cecil Rhodes School, Winnipeg. She was the supervisor of French Instruction for the Manitoba Department of Education until 1938, at the same time she taught at Winnipeg Normal School (Teacher’s College). In 1941 she was appointed School Inspector for the Virden District,  the first woman in Canada to be appointed in such a position. She worked fourteen years inspecting rural schools. In 1946 she accepted two fellowships to travel abroad and study languages; the Humbolt Siftung Resident Fellowship from the Berlin Research Institute, and the Carnegie fellowship from the Institute of Education at the University of London. Upon her return to Canada in 1948 she was appointed school inspector in the Winnipeg School District. Source: Memorable Manitobans Profile by Gordon Goldsborough. Online (accessed December 2011) (2021)

née Simmons, Born December 21, 1926, Bermuda. Died February 26, 2012, Toronto, Ontario. Phyllis originally came to Canada to study teaching in 1945 after receiving a scholarship. She returned to Bermuda an taught school before she married a Canadian, Wilson Brooks, and settled in Canada.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto (U of T)  and then earned a Master's Degree in Education. A mother of four children she worked for 20 as a teacher and served as a librarian with the Toronto School Board. She taught adult literacy as a volunteer for the Toronto District School Board. She was an active member of the Bermudian Canadian Relief Association, a founding member of the Canadian Negro Women's Association (C A N E W A), (later the Congress of Black Women of Canada), and worked with St. Christopher House to raise funds for scholarships. She also  helped organize the first Calypso Carnival, the precursor of Caribana.  She was presented with the Harriet Tubman Award from the Ontario Black History Society in 2012. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2023) . 

Born 1785, Yamachiche, Quebec. Died 1833, In the early 1800's Madeleine was a teacher in the Trois-Riviéres region. By 1828 she owned her own school and boarding facility for girls. Her school is the first girls' school, L'Académie  des filles.   in Chambly and houses approximately 60 students with 20 girls boarding at the school. Not only did the students learn the traditional academic subjects but they were also taught dance, art, music and needlework. In some cases the girls were protestant Americans who came to learn French. After her death the school continue for another four years. In 2016 a new school in Chambly was named in her honour. Source Madeleine Brosseau and the School of Young Girls Memoires des femmes facebook online (accessed 2924) suggestion from Borden Brewster.

Jessie Anne Buckingham

Born November 27, 1906, Culross, Manitoba. Died August 3, 2001, St. Boniface, Manitoba. Jessie Anne received her education at the Winnipeg Normal School (teachers college) and the University of Manitoba. She began her career as a teacher in Wawanesa and Souris school divisions before joining the Winnipeg School Division, 1930. She also spent a year as an exchange teacher in New Zealand. A member of the Winnipeg Business and Professional Women’s Club she attended Congresses of the International Federation in London, England, Stockholm, Sweden, Washington DC, U.S.A., Montreal, Quebec, Buenos Aires and Helsinki, Finland. She was also a member of Olive Branch Historic Rebekah Lodge No.1, Exchange Teachers Club and the Women’s Canadian Club. Sources: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, Tuesday, 7 August 2001; Memorable Manitobans. Profile by Kris Keen and Gordon Goldsborough. online (accessed 2019) (2021)

Piano Teacher

Born March 16, 1892, White Pigeon, Michigan, U.S.A. Died May 31, 1987, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gladys moved with her parents to Quill Lake, Saskatchewan in 1903 where her father built the first house in the town. She studied piano in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Grinnell and Winnipeg,  graduating with ALCM and at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Moving to Winnipeg in 1914 she settled in Charleswood and taught piano lessons to local children for over 60 years, retiring at the age of 76. A biography entitled Gladys A. Bunn, Piano Teacher and Artist was written and published by Anne E. Cott in 1981. Her life is commemorated with a public park bearing her name in Winnipeg. sources: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 2 June 1987, page 43. Memorable Manitobans. Profile by Gordon Goldsborough. Online (accessed December 2011).(2021)

Born February 4, 1870, Galt, Ontario. Died February 21, 1953. Janet was the first woman to graduate the University of Toronto (U of T) with a post graduate Masters degree. In 1901 she was the first woman teacher at Galt Collegiate Institute. She enjoyed establishing the girl's basketball team for extra curricular activities. She would spend her summer vacations taking language courses in Europe to improve her teaching knowledge. In 1924 she was the 1st president of the Galt Collegiate Staff Players Club and out of school she was active in the local Little Theater. Upon her retirement in 1934 she was a recipient of the King George decoration for outstanding contributions in education. In 1958-1949 she sat on the Galt Public Library Board. She also worked in support of the Grenfell Mission in Labrador for which the Mission founder Wilfrid Grenfell thanked her in person. Source: Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. Online. (accessed July 2014); Janet Carter. Cambridge Archives and Record Center. Online (accessed July 2014) (2021)

Martha 'Mattie' Julia Cartmell.

Teaching Missionary

Born December 14, 1845, Thorold, Ontario. Died March 20, 1945, Hamilton, Ontario. Mattie's mother died when Mattie was only four. Mattie and her sister went to live with an aunt and were brought up by the Southerland family. At 11 her uncle was killed in an accident and a year later her father died. She learned quickly to become independent. She attended Normal School (teacher’s college) in Toronto and from 1865 through 1882 she was a teacher and then principal of a public school for girls in Hamilton, Ontario. She left Hamilton to become a missionary in Methodist Church (now United Church of Canada) sponsored by the newly organizes Women’s Missionary Society (W M S). She soon sailed for Japan as the first Canadian woman missionary of the W MS. In 1884 she founded a school Toyo Eiwa with the support of the finances of the W M S. The new school building survived damages from a typhoon, a fire and two strong earthquakes before opening officially on November 6, 1884. In 1887 Mattie was forced by poor health to return to Canada where until 1892 she continued with mission work . She returned to work again in Japan until her retirement in 1896. Her personal Bible is a prized possession of Toyo Eiwa schools today. Her grave in Hamilton Municipal Cemetery has a special marker inscribed in both English and Japanese and laid in 2005 by her family, her Hamilton church and her grateful Toyo Eiwa school. Source: Canadian Women Missionaries at Toyo Eiwa in Japan 1882-2006 translated by Seiichi Ariga and Wayne Irwin. (Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin, 2012.) (2021)

Born January 18, 1928, St Norbert, Manitoba. Died February 19, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba. At 20, Thérése Champagne entered the Congregation of the Missionary Oblate Sisters whose mandate it is to tend to the needs of the poor and make bilingual and religious education a priority. Sister Champagne taught for more than 34 years in public, private and residential schools through the Prairie Provinces. Northern Manitoba needed someone to serve as a pastoral minister to the Cree, Métis and white population living in outlying communities of the Keewatin-Le Pas Archdiocese. She traveled between the communities of Thompson, Thicket Portage and Wabowden ministering to the needs of the community. She was inducted into the Order of Manitoba. Source: Memorable Manitobans Online (accessed November 2012)  (2021)

Ruth Lorraine Collins - Nakai

Born March 21, 1949, Pincher Creek, Alberta. After earning her medical degree at the University of Alberta, Ruth specialized in pediatric medicine (childhood medicine). Shetaught at the University of Alberta where she was named teacher of the Year in her own department in 1988. She has participated in the betterment of her home province by serving on the Premier's Council on Science and Technology, the Subcommittee of Science and Technology in Alberta and the Premier's Commission on Future Health Care in the Province of Alberta. A well respected medical author she has written some 100 abstracts and papers in her chosen field of medicine. She has also been an active member of various boards of directors for national and international medical associations. Combining a profession and a family she is the mother of three children. (2021)

Born February 29, 1908, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 7, 1995, Montreal, Quebec. Charlotte, raised a Roman Catholic, took her vows as a nun and was given the name Sister St-Jean-du Sacré Coeur of the Congregation of Notre Dame. She earned a teaching certificate in Montreal in 1928 and went on to study for a Bachelor of Music in Montreal in 1931. From 1942 through 1954 she was the Director of Ecole Normale de Musique and from 1959 through 1989 she served as General Director of Musical Studies of the Congregation of Notre Dame. From 1976 through 1982 she served as vice-president of C F M S (now C S M T). She composed choral works, masses, cantatas, songs, folksongs, and organ music

née Muise. Born January 28, 1942, Saulnierville, Nova Scotia. Anne-Marie studied at Université Sainte-Anne and married John Robert Comeau. The couple had two children. Interested in dance she took a diploma from the British Association of Teachers in Dance and the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association. In 1979 she founded and became the artistic director of a dance group whose name celebrates Acadian heritage and  culture, La Baie en Joie. The group has performed for heads of state and audiences throughout North America, and France. She has received numerous awards recognizing the preservation of Acadian culture and promotion of the arts. In 1991 she became the Outstanding Cultural Educator and in 1992 she received L’Ordre de la Pléiade. In 2003 she earned was awarded the Acadian community’s highest accolade: the distinguished Prix Hommage by the Academie des arts et des letters de L’Atlantique, as well she received le Prix Eloizes d’Excellence. 2004 found her at Université Sainte Anne as Director of Arts. During this time she was also recognized 5 times as Volunteer supporter of the year. In 2004 she was invested with the Order of Nova Scotia. Sources: Celebrating Women’s Achievements, Library and Archives Canada. (accessed May 2011) ; Canadian Who’s who 2006 Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007.; University de Moncton: Centre d’etudes acadiennes “Anne-Marie Comeau”  (accessed 2007 in French) (2021)

née Brown. Born November 4, 1860, Pickering, Canada West (now Ontario). Died August 24, 1923, Toronto, Ontario. The family relocated to near by Toronto in the mid 1880's.  Ada May married Rev. Andrew C. Courtice (died 1908) in 1888. shortly after graduating from the Whitby Ladies College, Ontario. They were posted to ministries in London, Montreal and Kingston. By 1894 they were living in Toronto. The couple opened opened a private school in Toronto which she would operate for ten years after her husband's death. She became active in the education scene in Toronto and became a member of the Toronto Board of Education. She was an advocate for peace and supported the advancement of women and women's suffrage. She was an active member of the National Council of Women. In 1914 she she was elected to the Toronto Public School Board. By 1916 she helped found the Home and School Movement in Toronto and was elected president supporting expansion of kindergarten, domestic science and school health programs.  In 1920 she resigned her position in Toronto  to become organizing secretary for the provincial level of the organization. Defeated in the school board elections in 1921 she turned her energies to the expansion of local home and school clubs. The Movement gained popularity and spread across the province and the entire country. (2020)

née Anderson. Born May 7, 1927, Kilmarnock, Scotland. Died September 2011, Regina, Saskatchewan. Sally's mother left her alcoholic husband to raise to raise her four children on her own. Somehow enough money was scraped together for lessons in dance, drama, voice, and piano for the talented young Salty. After high school she took a position with the British civil Service in London, England. She continued to pay for voice lessons and worked to build a roster of contacts and performance credits. She also studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began to tour with ice shows. She married Jim Crooks, from her home town in 1954. The couple had two children. Jim was a physiotherapist who sought opportunity in Regina, Canada, taking his family to Canada in 1965. Once settled Sally enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan with a major in Music but soon switched to English. After graduation in 1971 she taught public school for several years and then at a local high school teaching until she retired in 1988. She directed plays and musicals and was active in the Regina arts scene singing in choirs, acting and directing with the Summer Stage, Little Theatre and Lyric Light Opera Society. She also enjoyed writing poetry which was published in 2006 entitled That Saturday Night. In 2007 she won the John V. Hicks long manuscript award for nonfiction from the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild for her memoir. In 2003 she found small TV roles in Corner Gas, Just Friends, Tideland, and Little Mosque on the Prairie. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Decease in 2011. Source: Saskatchewan Teacher started out poor… by Chris Ewing-Weisz The Globe and Mail October 5, 2011 page R 5 (Photograph included in article) (2021)

Born June 19, 1869, London, England. Died August 9,1955, Vancouver, British Columbia. Just five years before the turn of the century Mary Jane immigrated to Canada. Eventually she settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she was the firs Principal of the Havergal Ladies College from 1901-1906. (The College was renamed Rupert's Land Girls' School in 1915 to avoid confusion with the Havergal school in Toronto, Ontario). She retired from the school due to illness. Having recovered by 1912 she travelled to the Yukon and then sailed to Japan. She resettled in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1919 but never forgot her time in Winnipeg and made numerous visits to her former home town. Source: Memorable Manitobans online (accessed 2022)

née Torbiak. Born October 28, 1944, Teulon, Manitoba. Died April 17, 1996, Canora, Saskatchewan. After secondary school in 1961 Helen attended Manitoba Teachers' College, Winnipeg, and at 17 she was teaching at Ringrose School.  From 1962 through 1967 she took classes at University while she continued teaching. She earned her Education degree in 1967 and on August 26 that same year she married Zenovey Danylchuk who was studying to become a doctor. They raised four daughters together. Helen helped in creating a Sadochok program for pre-schooler and school aged children at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in her community of Canora, Saskatchewan. She became a Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association (C Y M K ) parent supervisor. Helen was also a member of the Maria Markovych Branch of the Ukrainian Women's Association where she served on various committee and executive positions. She also helped at the Canora Figure skating Club, the School Band, the Parkland Music Festival, and the Canora Veselka Dance School She would serve nine years as an elected member of the Canora School Division Board and was vice president from 1985 through 1991. She was very concerned in keeping the instruction of the Ukrainian language in schools. In 2015 she was awarded posthumously a Nation Builders and Community Recognition Award by the Ukrainian Committee of Canada. Source: Ukrainian Committee of Saskatchewan. Online (accessed 2021)

Born November 15, 1875, Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Died December 6, 1977. A trained nurse and teacher she arrived in New Westminster, British Columbia, to work for her uncle. She took additional training in Seattle, Oregon, U.S.A. and returned to B.C. to teach High School becoming supervisor of special classes for mentally challenged children. She travelled across the U.S.A. observing special teaching methods to apply in BC. She was a founding member of the Vancouver Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1922 and president from 1928-1929. She helped establish the National Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in 1930 and was president from 1932 to 1935. She retired from her teaching duties in 1941. Source: The History of Metropolitan Vancouver. (accessed June 19, 2009) (2021)

née Pizzy. Born September 22, 1926, Hansworth, Middlesex, England. Died October 16, 1994, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Angela studied at King’s College Hospital graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1948. She worked at King’s College Hospital as Staff Nurse. April 27, 1950 she married Dr. Royden A. Davies and the couple emigrated to Canada in 1951. Settling on the West coast the couple raised 5 children. Relocating to Regina in the 1960’s where she was a founding member of one of the first cooperative childcare centres. Once her children were grown she returned to school earning a BA in History, University of Winnipeg, followed by a Master's Degree in 1979. By 1987 she had completed her Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Manitoba. From 1975 through 1994 she taught at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. She also was a consultant, conference organizer and committee member for several associations including the Canadian Committee on Women’s History, the Canadian Historical Association, Canadian Womens’ Studies Association, Victorian Studies Association and the Manitoba Historical Society. In 1976 She was co-founder of the Osborne Gallery in Winnipeg  and served as an Art Consultant for the Gallery from 1977 through 1986. She wrote frequently for Manitoba History and served in various positions as a member of the Manitoba Historical Society. Source: Memorable Manitobans Online (accessed February 2014) (2021)

Born 1820, Red River Settlement Manitoba. Died 1873. Matilda was the daughter of an Officer of the Hudson Bay Company. As was the standard of the day she was shipped to England to receive a proper educations. As the Red River Settlement grew so did the demand for education in the community. In the 1850’s the HBC offered to pay $132.00 per year for room board and teaching for young female students. Matilda became school mistress for a day and boarding school in St. Andrew’s Parish, just north of modern day Winnipeg. Some 40 students resided in a fine stone structure this is still standing today. Assisted by an English governess the young ladies were provided a solid education including the learning of French, dancing, drawing, and needlework, all the kinds of training required for future wives of Red River society. Source: D C B (2021)

Born October 5, 1883. Died 1972, Haney, British Columbia. Donalda attended Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Oxford University, England, and Columbia University, New York City, New York, U.S.A. She taught at normal school (teacher’s college) in Alberta and was an advocate of the ‘Enterprise’ a progressive educational approach to teaching of elementary school. She authored The Enterprise in Theory and Practice in 1940. She retired in 1947. She was also an author of numerous text books for schools and children’s stories. In 1950 she published the Great Adventure: an Illustrated History of Canada for Young Canadians (Dent Publishing) which became a stable in schools. In 1950 she received the Governor General’s award for juvenile literature. Source: Guide to Literary Heritage of Waterloo and Wellington Counties. online (Waterloo, On, 1985) (2021)

Born 1934, South Shields, England. Died March 28, 2018, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Joan immigrated with her mother and stepfather in 1946 to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In the early 1960's she relocated to Antigonish. She became an active member in her community becoming involved for 35 years with Scouts Canada receiving the Silver Acorn Award for her dedication to scouting. She was a member of the Eastern Nova Scotia Ladies Softball League. She helped to organize the Children's Parade at the Highland Games.  Her main avocation however was education. She is known as the “heart” of the X-Project, a student-based society at St. Francis Xavier University. Beginning in 1965 she was instrumental in bringing together over 3500 university students with over 1000 community people to provide small-group educational assistance, mentoring, workshop and recreation programs. She has received the Silver Acorn Award from Scouts Canada for over 35 years of dedication to the movement. She has been inducted into the African Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, has received in 2006 an honorary doctorate of Laws from St. Francis Xavier university, received the Canada 125 medal, was inducted into the Hall of Thoughts in 1991, and is honoured with the Order of Nova Scotia. Source: Protocol Office. Order of Nova Scotia Recipients (accessed August 12, 2008) Obituary, online, (accessed 2021)

Born September 3, 1892, St. John's Newfoundland. Died July 31 1987, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. At the age of 16 Molly  had graduated from Holloway School and in 1908 began work as an assistant teacher. Wanting to become a kindergarten teacher in 1914 she attended the Training School for teachers, Truro, Nova Scotia. She returned to Newfoundland and began her lifelong teaching career in St. John's. In 1933-34 she went to Dumferline, Scotland as an exchange teacher. Back home in Newfoundland she became involved in training teachers at annual summer school. In 1949 she was inducted as a Member of the British Empire for her dedication to teaching. In 1952 she was once again an exchange teachers this time in England. In 1953 back home once again, she worked on a new programme to help educate mentally disabled children. When a special school was opened by the programme in 1954 she joined the staff. The school operated from the United Church Orphanage.  Throughout the mid 1950's she visited various schools in Truro, Nova Scotia and in England to learn new methods and programs. Molly would continue teaching until she was 77 years old. Sources: Find a Grave Canada online (accessed 2023)  (2023)

née Walker. Born December 1871, Cheddleton, England. Died March 13, 1955, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1882 with her family to Canada and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She joined the teaching staff various schools in the area. She retired from teaching in 1901. On October 21, 1903 she  married William J. Dobson. When she became a widow in 1915  Mary returned to teaching to support herself and her daughter. She was appointed Principal of various schools until her retirement in 1937. Her dedication to education in the area  was recognized with  the King’s Coronation Medal for distinguished service to education in Manitoba in 1937. Source: Memorable Manitobans Online (accessed February 2014) (2021)

Born November 6, 1899,  Manitoba. Died January 11, 1971, Manitoba. Aileen graduated public school having won the Governor General Medal. She attended the University of Manitoba for her BA. She was an accomplished pianist studying in Winnipeg, the Toronto Conservatory Montreal, and in Paris, France. Returning home to Winnipeg she taught piano and served on the executive of the Manitoba Music Teachers’ Association. In 1933, she enrolled in the newly formed Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and obtained a Bachelor of Education  degree. She taught English, French and German at various high schools. She was also active in her community, serving 1949-1951 as president of the University Women’s Club, Vice-President of the Women’s Canadian Club, Winnipeg President and National Vice-President of the Council of Women. In 1944 she married fellow teacher William B. Doerksen.(1900-1987) In 1962, with the newly formed United Church of Canada she was elected as the 1st Provincial President of the United Church Women. Source: Memorable Manitobans Online (accessed February 2014) (2021)

Maureen "Mimi" Mitchell
 Donald

Born November 19, 1917, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died September 24, 2012, Vancouver, British Columbia. Mimi became deaf as a toddler and was educated in schools for the deaf in Winnipeg and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In 1945 she became the 1st teacher of deaf children at the British Columbia Provincial Jericho Hill School for the Deaf, Vancouver. She remained at the school until her retirement in 1978. She was awarded an honorary doctor of laws in 2000 from the University of British Columbia which considered her the 20th centuries most outstanding teacher of the deaf in Canada. She was the 1st woman president of the Vancouver Association of the Deaf and was on the executive of the Western Canadian Association of the Deaf. She was one of only a few Canadians named to the U.S. National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Hall of Fame. She was involved with the production and publication of the Canadian Dictionary of American Sign Language. She refused to take it for granted that the deaf could not attend university and she encouraged and paved the way for many deaf students. Source: “Lives lived” by Stephen McClure. The Globe and Mail, November 15, 2012 ; Obituary, The Vancouver Sun. (2021)

Born August 3, 1845, St. Jérôme, Lower Canada (now Quebec). Died December 10, 1932, Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Onésime was a devoted Roman Catholic Métis. She had hoped to serve with the Sisters of Good Shepherd in New York, U.S.A. but it was felt that her poor health would keep her from being devoted to completing her duties and she did not take her final vows. She had earned her teaching certificate at the Ecole Modèle at St. Jérôme and soon found herself heading for the Canadian North West to apply her trade. She is conceded the 1st certified teacher in Saskatchewan. In 1877 she traveled to the Red River Settlement at Fort Garry (now Winnipeg). She also taught at St Albert and St. Laurent de Grandin in Saskatchewan, where she helped establish the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto. From 1894-1914 she taught at Batoche No. 1 School District where she also worked as a housekeeper for local clergy and provided board for students were far from home. She went on to Aldina and back to St Laurent de Grandin. She retired from teaching in 1921, living and serving the Sisters of Presentation. It was here that she wrote her memoirs. On June 7, 1954, the Canadian Historic Sites and Monuments Board had her declared a Person of National Historic Significance. In 1994 the Division scolaire francophone established the Prix Onésime Dorval Award annually presented to exemplary and dedicated teachers in her honor. October 2, 2002 a plaque showing her story was unvalued in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan by the Government of Canada. Source: Dorval, Onésime (1845-1932) Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Online (accessed May 2014) (2021)

Born April 28, 1913, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died November 9, 1987, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Beth taught at the Aberdeen School and the Victoria-Albert School during the late 1930's and early 1940's.  From 1943 through 1956 she was a staff member of the Manitoba Norma School (teachers" college) She had served as a music consultant and coordinator for the Winnipeg School Division for 21 years. She became an honourary life member of the Manitoba Music Educators Association and the Canadian Music Educators Association. She served as president of the Wednesday Morning Musicale, the Women Administrators Association and was a director of the Winnipeg Boys Choir, the Bethesda Church Choir and the Vivace Ladies Choir. In 1981 she was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt. Source: Memorable Manitobans online (accessed 2022)

Born 1865, Packenham, Ontario. Died December 31, 1951, Ottawa, Ontario. Sara was a teacher with the Perth  School Board, in Ontario, for 13 years. During the Boer War (1899-1902) the call went out from the British government for patriotic women to teach in the refugee/concentration camps in South Africa. Was it adventure that caused Sarah to apply? She was granted a leave of absence from her position in Perth and on April 12, 1902 she sailed to England from Halifax, Nova Scotia. A total of 300 teachers would come from across the Empire. 40 women came from Canada. In England the prospective teachers were presented to the Prime Minister Alfred Belfour (1848-1930) to meet such notables as Lord and Lady Baden Powell. Arriving in South Africa there were 17,000 concentration camp Boer children waiting to be 'Anglicized'. Shortly after the cease of hostilities on May 31, 1902 the concentration camps were closed and the teachers were sent out to set up schools. Sarah worked in Krugersdorp. She remained teaching in South Africa until 1907. The following year she was back in  Canada working at the Carnegie Library in Ottawa. By 1918 she was in Chief of the Children's Circulation Department at Ottawa Public Library. Leaving the library in 1920 she joined the civil service working at the Department of External Affairs and then with the Prime Minister's Office. She retired in 1933. While in Ottawa she was a member of the Ontario Library Association, the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa and the Chelsea Club of Ottawa. Source: Perth District Historical Society. (2020)

Born November 4, 1888, Port Fairy, Australia. Died October 29, 1969, Vancouver, British Columbia. She came to Vancouver, British Columbia with her family in 1930. After her husband’s death in 1940 she founded the Athlone School, a private school for boys. She opened the school with six pupils. By 1969 it could boast of 230 students. She added to the family income by writing. In 1952 her novel Provoke Silent Dust won third prize in a literary competition, not in Canada but in Australia! Source: The History of Metropolitan Vancouver – Hall of Fame. (accessed June 19, 2009)  (2021)

Born October 9, 1919. Died December 14, 2010, Coquitlam, British Columbia. In 1940 Jessie joined the Sisters of the Child of Jesus. She was a teacher and in 1963-1964 she was principal at Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional High School. She served a second term as principal from 1972 through 1976. She remained as a teacher at the school until she retired in 1982.  She had always been a strong supporter of womens athletics at the school.  The Sister Jessie Ellis Female Athlete Award is presented each year to the top senior female athlete who demonstrates dedication and leadership at the school. Source: Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional High School web page. (accessed (2022)

Born May 23, 1889, Sundridge, Ontario. Died September 17, 1973. Mary Susanne studied at Havergal College in Toronto and at the University of Chicago before graduating from the National Training School of the Young Women's Christian Association, New York City in 1915. 1920 found her in Japan as a volunteer for the Y.W.C.A. She returned to Canada and purchased land near her home in Sunderland to established a youth camp which opened in 1922. She was the director until her retirement in 1956. She devoted her life to working with young girls and camping and worked not only with the Y.W.C.A. but also with Girl Guides of Canada, Canadian Girls in Training, and the Canadian Camping Association. She wrote several books including Wood-fire and Candlelight (Toronto,1945); Under Open Skies (Toronto,1956); The Christmas Wreath of Verse (Toronto,1967); Once There Was a Camper (Toronto,1970). She also wrote a number of one act plays and hymns. (2021)

Born June 19, 1955. A graduate of Yale University, Renée earned her Doctoral degree (PhD) at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1981. She is an Associate professor of Computing Science at the University of Alberta. She is the author and co-author of numerous articles in the fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science and artificial intelligence (2021)

Born June 17, 1920, near Shoal Lake, Manitoba. Died April 7, 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Completing high school Betty attended the University of Manitoba, winning an Isbister scholarship on graduating 1st in her Home Economics class. She continued on to earn a Master's of Science (MSc) in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. In 1945, she married geologist Michael Feniak and in 1947 the couple settled Yellowknife, North West Territories. The couple had two children. After the drowning death of her husband in 1949 she relocated her family Winnipeg. She began a teaching career in the Faculty of Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. She would earn her Doctorate (PhD) and began serving as Department Head, was Acting Dean, and Associate Dean prior to retirement in 1985. She oversaw one of her graduate students, Charlotte Moore, who piloted the “Meals on Wheels” program. Her community service earned her the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. She was named a “Woman of Distinction” by the Y W C A in 1982. Betty also served as President of the Provincial Council of Women, the Canadian Home Economics Association, and Chair of the Canadian Home Economics Foundation. In 1988, she was inducted into the Order of Canada. 1n 2002 she was awarded the  Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. She was also a life member of the National Council of Women, Manitoba Council of Women, and Manitoba Women’s Institute. Sources:  Memorable Manitobans. Online (accessed September 2014) ; Obituary. Winnipeg Free Press April 12, 2013, (2020)

Born Toronto, Ontario. A member of Fisher Cree First Nation, Manitoba Janice decided to obtain her post high school education at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1995 and an honours diploma in History in 1997. She had always had an interest in sports. Ant twice earned All-Canadian status in cross-country running. In 1995 and 2002 she competed in the North American Indigenous Games for Team Ontario. At this time she also compiled a master’s degree in Aboriginal Sport. Her Doctoral (PhD) research included contemporary Aboriginal sport practices in Canada. In 2005 she began teaching at the University of Manitoba. She has worked as a board member with the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and sport and Physical Activity and she has represented Canada’s Aboriginal sport and recreation. In 2002 she was awarded the Tom Longboat Regional Award for Ontario for her outstanding contribution to sport.  In 2010 she found herself back at the University of Western Ontario as director of the International Center for Olympic Studies. In 2021 her book, Reclaiming Tom Longboat: Indigenous Self-Determination in Canadian Sport, published by the University of Regina Press in 2020, was the winner of the North American Society for Sport History Book Award.  Source: “Aboriginal Sport Expert guiding Olympic Centre” by Paul Mayne. Alumni Gazette (University of Western Ontario)  (2021) Spring 2010. (2021)

Born March 22, 1912, Waywayseecappo Reserve, Manitoba. Died October 16, 1990, Westminster, British Columbia. Dorothy married Joseph Francis and the couple lived on a reserve near Broadview, Saskatchewan. The couple had ten children. In 1953 one of the children died as a result of inadequate hospital facilities for Indigenous peoples. The family attempted to rent a home in Regina, Saskatchewan but being Indigenous they ended up having to live in a ten on the edge of twon.  Dorothy became involved in the Regina Native Society and founded the first Indian Friendship Centre where she was a counselor. Moving to Winnipeg, Manitoba Dorothy once again worked at the local Indian Centre as a manager of arts and crafts and then as a counselor.  She was elected chair of the National Arts and Crafts Advisory Committee. She also served Ontario Arts and Crafts Advisory Board.  An artist in her own right her works were exhibited in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.  She would host  a weekly Native cultural program for C B C radio. As a writer she would publish a book on Native legends. In 1960 she began following the Baha' Faith serving on several Local Spiritual Assemblies and was elected as a delegate of the National Convention severa times.  In 1978 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. She would later in life organize a Native spiritual project for British Columbia correctional institutions. Source: Canadian Origins:Dorothy MacQuabeak Francis (1912-1990), Bahais of Canada online (accessed 2024)

Born April 16,1932, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Marion received her her undergraduate university degree, along with a medal in classics at the University of King's College, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. After earning her Masters in 1955 she headed to Oxford University in England for additional studies. She taught at Bishops University and was assistant Dean of Women. She would be the first woman to be President of King's College at Dalhousie University in Halifax.  She moved to Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario where she earned the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1987. She is also a strong supporter of her community. She has held board positions of Arbor Theatre, the Peterborough United Way. She has been a member of the boards that serve University  Scholarships Canada and the National Library of Canada. Source: International Who's Who of Women, 2002. (2021)

née Kemp. Born 1910, Toronto, Ontario. Died 1986, Toronto, Ontario. Helen studied piano and musical theory at the Hamburg Conservatory of Music, Toronto. In 1929 she enrolled in the Pass Course at Victoria College, Toronto. Upon graduating in 1933 she was offered a position in the education department at the Art Gallery of Toronto by Arthur Lismer, who was a personal friend of her father, a commercial artist. She spent one year at the National Gallery in Ottawa and a year studying at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, England. Upon her return to Toronto she continued to work at the Gallery, conducting study groups, sending out loan exhibitions, and organizing lectures and concerts. In 1937 she married Northrop Frye (1912-1991), who would become a key literary figure. The young couple had met during their studies at the University of Toronto.  In the late Thirties she worked as a contributing editor and then as art editor for Canadian Forum. From 1943 until 1946 the Toronto Star Weekly employed her as a reprint editor. She devoted much of her spare time to committee work at Victoria College and later, when Northrop Frye became College Principal, took charge of various women’s organizations at the College. Source: Helen Kemp Frye Collection. E. J. Pratt Library, University of Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. Online. (accessed July 2013) Suggestion submitted by Jeanne Ouellette, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born Nottingham, England. Died November 16, 1934, Montreal, Quebec. Margaret was educated in classical studies at Lady Margaret Hall, the first college for women at Oxford University, England. She did not receive and credentials as women, at this time, were not allowed to receive degrees. She worked in the beginning as a governess and then as a teacher but there were not many job opportunities for women teachers in England at this time. In 1912-1913 she immigrated to Montreal where she originally taught at Miss Camp’s School. She found that she did not share the teaching philosophy of the school. Despite the happening of World War l she opened her own school classes in September 1915 with six students. By September 1916 she had 56 girls. On April 15, 1917 she rented a house on borrowed money to accommodate her growing school and by 1918 there was a faculty of 10 women teachers working at what was now called The Study.  On December 29, 1922 the Study Corporation was incorporated and a Board of governors was established. The prestigious school is a proud 100 year old institution of Montreal. (2021)

Born 1905, Aberdeen, Scotland. Died October 1, 1980, Lethbridge, Alberta. In 1922 Dorothy immigrated to Alberta with her parents. In 1928 she married William Donald Gentleman (1898-1950) and the couple had four children. The family relocated to Lethbridge  in 1943. In 1948 Dorothy opened a private kindergarten in her home called Aunt Dorothy's Playhouse. The kindergarten was unique for the time as Dorothy took in children with developmental handicaps. Soon she had earned an international reputation in the field dealing with children with special needs. In 1961 she was named Canada's Mother of the Year. She became a consultant to the Headstart Movement in the U.S.A. She was also involved in the University Women's Club. Retiring in 1973 she closed her kindergarten. The city of Lethbridge has named a street in her honour. Source: Legacy of Lethbridge Women, Lethbridge Historical Society, 2005: Find a Grave Canada. online (accessed 2021)

Born November 29, 1950, Johannesburg, South Africa. Died August 1, 2013, Toronto, Ontario. In 1972 she graduated in Occupational Therapy from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. That same year she married Michael Anderson and the couple immigrated to Canada in 1978 where they could raise their three children. They settled first in Leamington, Ontario, and then moved to Toronto. In 1988 Anne returned to school and earned her Master’s in Education  and began to teach in adult education and community development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (O I S E). By 1995 she had earned her PhD from the University of Toronto. A year later her marriage ended and she turned even more to her work. In 2003 she married Michael Wheeler. She became president and co-founder of Interchange: International Institute for Community-based Peace Building Collaborating on Educational and Research projects with likeminded activists around the world. Her work took her to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Slovakia, Israel, Croatia, and other countries. She was also a teacher at the Centre of Peace Studies ad McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She also co-founded the Voice of Somali Women for Peach, Reconciliation and Political Rights, helping Somali mothers in Toronto. Source: “Building and living in a culture of peace” by Noreen Shanahan. The Globe and Mail, September 19, 2013. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born May 27, 1912, St Boniface, Manitoba. Died 1970, Manitoba. At convent school, as a girl, her gift for learning languages was noted. Marie continued her education and earned her teaching degree from Manitoba Normal School (teacher's college). She taught school until her marriage to Joseph H. Courchaine. The couple had five children. During the Great Depression in the 1930’s Marie began teaching again and she spent ten years at public schools and another 12 years at Métis and Indian Schools run by the Oblate Fathers. She also worked for a time at C F R C radio in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. She suffered from diabetes losing one of her legs to the disease and it also affected her eyesight. Undaunted she began writing for numerous French and English newspapers who were pleased to publish her works. She even told in one of her articles about how she could write being blind. She was well read in both official languages of her country often under the pen name 'Marie-Tobie.' Source:  Hall of Fame, History of Metropolitan Vancouver web site (accessed April 2013.) (2021)

Alice Maud Dunning Grant

née Fitch. Born 1865, New Minas, Nova Scotia. Died March 1946, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. On June 4, 1885 Alice became the second woman to graduate from Acadia University. The following year she was the 1st woman to receive a Master’s Degree from Acadia University. From 1989 to 1893 she taught at Acadia Ladies Seminary. In 1893 she moved to Toronto serving as Principal of Moulton College. On June 17, 1896 she married Rev. Donald Grant and the couple moved to Quebec City where their two children were born. In 1904 there were in Strafford, Ontario but soon moved to Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. for Donald’s failing health. By 1906 Alice and her children were settled in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Alice taught Latin and History at Acadia Ladies Seminary until she retired in 1925. After retirement she became librarian at Morse Library at Acadia University. She would become the first woman to serve on the Senate of Acadia University. Source: Biography, Esther Clark Wright Archives, Acadia University online. (accessed April 2013)  (2021)

Born March 18, 1900, Quebec City, Quebec. Died 1989, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. In 1906 the family moved to Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Marion graduated from Acadia Ladies College in 1921. She taught for a short period of time before returning to school earning her M.A. in Psychology at the University of Toronto. By 1926 she was professor of education at Baylor College for Women in Texas, U. S. A. It was during this time that she worked towards her PhD which she received in 1931 from the University of Toronto. The following year she studied at the University of London, England. She returned to work at Acadia Ladies College in the Education Department. By 1939 she was Dean of Women at Acadia and expanded her duties in 1939 to teach in the Psychology Department and by 1960 she was Head of the Department. She was a founder of the Fundy Medical Health Clinic and practiced at the clinic until 1975. 1949-1953 she was national president of the Canadian Federation of University Women. She later served on the Senate and the Board of Governors for Acadia Ladies College. In 1985 Acadia University named her Woman of the Century to celebrate 100 years of women graduates. The Federation of University Women offers the annual Marion Elder Grant Fellowship. Sources: Herstory, the Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006 Coteau Books, 2005 ; Biography, Esther Clark Wright Archives, Acadia University online. (accessed April 2013) (2021).

Died July 16, 1901, Claremont, New Hampshire, U.S.A. In 1864 Mary graduated from the New London Literary and Scientific Institution, New Hampshire, U.S.A. On August 22, 1879, after having taught in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., she was appointed President of Acadia College, Wolfeville, Nova Scotia. This ladies' college had been added in Wolfeville after a fire of the main college and boasted of indoor plumbing along with hot and cold running water! The courses were of strong academic standing. Mary introduced Canadian History and physical education to the course list. While she was Principal she also taught English and art. With her efforts the number of staff expanded to 12, a gymnasium was constricted and dormitories were expanded. At times she suffered from ill health and took travel to Europe to recuperate. In 1886 she resigned but the Board of Governors had her back again in 1889. However her independent manner rubbed the all male board the wrong way and she was asked to resign in 1894. She left having raised the standard of education for young women in the Canadian Maritimes. Her portrait hangs today at Acadia University. Source: D C B (2020)

Born June 26, 1947, Windsor, Ontario. Joan did all of her post secondary school studies at the University of Toronto, obtaining a Masters in Education in 1977. She established a career as a teacher, consultant, lecturer, co-ordinator, and leader in education . During her career she took time to have two children, and return effort to her community with charity work such as United Way of Greater Toronto. She has received several awards and honours including Woman of the Year for Women in Leadership 1990, Distinguished Educator O I S I, 1994, and the Helen Horn Leadership Award 1995, As an author she has published several development works for youth. (2021)

née Waldron. Born July 28, 1910, Beachville, Nova Scotia. Died November 10, 1993, Beachville, Nova Scotia. Marie had wanted to be a nurse but education for nurses was closed to Black students when she was growing up. She attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College. Marie married Gerald Mac Hamilton and the couple had six children. Marie taught school in rural areas. While she believed in education for both whites and Blacks she often taught at segregated schools of her era. She often worked with Sunday Schools, Ladies Auxiliaries and adult education programs to also teach adults. Twenty years into her teaching career she set up a pre-school program in the community centr now known as Veith House. She established a volunteers for Seniors to help them with literacy. In 1977 she was presented with the Queen's Jubilee Medal. In 1983 she received the Governor Generals Persons Case Award. She taught for 50 years providing education to one and all. She was a member of the National Anti-Poverty Association. She really never retired from teaching as she became a tutor at the Halifax Public Library and was an active public speaker. In 1989 she was featured in a National Film Board documentary film, Black Mother, Black Daughter. In the early 1990's she coordinated an Early Childhood Education Course sponsored by the Nova Scotia Teachers College training women to run community pre-school programs. Source: Our Lives March April 1987 Vol. 2 no. 1 online (accessed 2022); Find a grave online (accessed 2024)

Born 1891, Meaford, Ontario. Died 1979, Hamilton, Ontario. Frances was a missionary for the Anglican Church of Canada out of Hamilton, Ontario. In 1920 she went to serve in Japan where she taught kindergarten in Toyohashi, Matsumoto and Nagaya where she started a kindergarten train school In 1941 with the gathering storm of war she was one of the last foreigner to leave Japan. Returning to Canada she taught in British Columbia at Japanese internment camps. In 1948 she was once again in Japan helping to rebuild kindergartens and a kindergarten training school for teachers. This would become the Ryujo Junior College where she served as the 1st principal. She retired to Hamilton in 1961. Her students continued to write to her long after her retirement a testament of the affection and esteem that she had earned during her Career. Source: It happened in Canada by Emily-Jane Hills Orford. Online (accessed June 2014) (2021)

née Richan. Born August 13, 1911, Montreal, Quebec. Died June 4, 2010, Ottawa, Ontario. As a child she had a dream of being a teacher. She attended McGill University, Montreal and 1933 she earned her teaching certificate. In 1938 she married George Haythorn, a Canadian Government official and the couple had two children. She was elected to the Home and School Association of Ottawa and of Ontario as well as the Ottawa Board of Education. She helped establish Algonquin College of the Applied Arts and Technology and served on its’ first board of governors as chair 1967- 69. Also during the 1960’s and 70’s she accompanied her husband on his foreign service positions in Europe, Gabonne and Botswana. In Botswana she helped establish an education program for children and adults. Source: Herstory: Canadian Women’s Calendar 2012 ,Coteau Books, 2011; Obituary online (accessed 2024)

Helen Battles Hogg - Priestley

Frances Esther 'Hester' How

Born January 29, 1848, Ireland. Died September 22, 1915, Toronto, Ontario. Hester emigrated from Ireland with her family in 1849. In 1866 she graduated from the Toronto Normal School and began teaching in Toronto. In 1881 she was chosen to work at a school for delinquent boys. The school and its students blossomed under her strict but kind leadership and by 1892 classes for girls and 1/2 day classes for newsboys were opened. She started a crèche for baby care, a free lunch Program, summer camps and arranged health and dental services. She became known as Aunt Hessie. She worked with the Temperance League and anti-tobacco League. In 1912 a new school was called the Hester How School. Upon her retirement she was described as the Jane Addams of Toronto, referring to a famous Chicago reformer in the United States. (2021)

née Lake. Born October 15, 1911, Seeleys Bay, Ontario. Died September 222, 2013, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. At 12 Anna and her family moved to the Canadian west. In 1933-1934 she attended Normal School (teacher's college) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her first job as teacher in 1934 was in a one room rural Saskatchewan school with 40 students from grade one through grade 10. In 1935 she married Augustine 'Austin' Elmer Ingram (1906-1970)and the couple had two children. The family moved several times throughout Saskatchewan and Anna taught whenever she could. They finally settled in 1956 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In order to help her students she created visual and verbal jingles so that the children could leant tricky rules of English spelling. In 1967 she published a book, The Blended Sound-Sight Method of learning. Her work encouraged generations of students. She retired from teaching in the classroom in 1972 but continued to spread the word about her teaching methods. The Blend Sight-Sound method spread throughout Canada, the rest of North America and even to Japan. In 1973 she was asked to teach her method at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1993 she received the Canada 125 Commemorative medal and in 1994 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. In 2007 she received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. She continued presenting workshops well into her 90’s. She is the definition of true dedication to the profession of teaching. Sources; Herstory 2006. The Canadian Women’s Calendar (Coteau Books, 2005) ; Good spirit School Division, Yorkton Saskatchewan. Anna Gertrude Ingham Biography.  (accessed November 2014); Find a grave (accessed 2024)

Born September 30, 1884, Ontario? Died June 17, 1951, Metcalfe?, Ontario. Sadie attended Mc Master University, Hamilton, Ontario, graduating in 1911. She probably attended Normal School (teacher's college), perhaps in Ottawa, and became a devoted teacher in Maxville, Ontario. She was appointed principal of the Maxville Public School in 1916. During world War l (1914-1918) she wrote letters to soldiers on the front lines to show support from the home front. It is not known if Sadie encouraged her students to also write letters to the soldiers but it might be nice to think she did. Source: Information courtesy of Osgood Township Museum (accession # 192.25.01) (2022)

Anna 'Annie' Bruce Jamieson

Born. 1871, Leeds, Quebec. Died January 23, 1952, Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1904 she earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba. She taught in Manitoba before moving to Vancouver's Dawson School in 1907. From 1908-27, taught at King Edward High School where she served as vice principal for ten years. She was elected to the Vancouver School Board and served from 1929 through 46. She also served as a member of the Senate of the University of British Columbia and the Board of Governors from 1936 to 1942). She was a member of the British Columbia Library Board and was awarded a life membership for her 30 years of service. Annie was a founding member, University Women's Club. A Vancouver elementary school is named in her honour.  Source: The Vancouver Hall of Fame online (accessed November 2012) (2021)

née Worsley. Born 1927? New Zealand. Died December 26, 2004, Asia. An accomplished professional with thirty years experience in the areas of linguistics, education and curriculum development June made education her lifetime avocation. She earned several post graduate degrees including Doctoral (PhD) courses in 1994. Long after most professionals retired to a more inactive lifestyle she continued to use and share her knowledge and life energies with those in need. Her endeavors would take her to Laos, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt, and Hong Kong. As a volunteer for two years for the World University Service of Canada (W U S C) she developed Literature Resource materials and Writing Resources for the National University in Laos in addition to the regular English Language teaching duties. She assisted in the reestablishment of programs at Kuwait University after the Gulf War and worked in her home Canada in the design and delivery of the Curriculum for McGill University Intensive Language Program. She was also a counselor to Canadian Immigrants for the Government of Quebec. June died in the tsunami in Asia in 2004. (2021)

Born 1935, Fisher River Reserve, New Brunswick. Verna's Haida Name is Ni-Jing-Jada which translates as 'Longhouse Lady'. After High School she attended summer school for her teacher’s permit. Her first teaching position was with a Métis community in a one room school in Manitoba. After taking additional courses she returned to the Fisher River Reserve where she became principal . In 1959 through 1961 she taught at a residential school in Western Manitoba but soon became a counselor for aboriginal students in Winnipeg. She collaborated in the publication of  an Aboriginal Based Social Studies for primary grades. By 1970 she was with the Manitoba Department of Education working to allow primary education in Aboriginal languages and forced development of Cree and Ojibwa readers. The following year she was educational director for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and contributed to a national committee publishing a report aiding in launching education reforms and closure of residential schools. In 1974 she was in Ottawa, helping to implement the report. By 1975 she had earned her B.A. at the University of Manitoba followed by her Bachelor of Education and Master’s of Education. In 1984 she became Director of Native Education and by 1987 had founded the First Nations House of Learning at the University of British Columbia and in the following years a longhouse was built to house the First Nations Centre dedicated May 25, 1993. The University of British Columbia offers an award in Aboriginal Education in her honour. She was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1999. Sources: Honor Song: A Tribute by Barbara Hagar Vancouver: Raincoast Books, 1996. : Order of Canada Online (accessed November 2011)  (2021)

Born October 4, 1858, Waddon, England. Died January 24,1924, Toronto, Ontario. A well established teacher in the United Kingdom she came to Canada in 1894 to be the first principal of the newly established Havergal Ladies College, a private Anglican girl's school in Toronto. This administrator, who laid the foundation for one of the most prestigious ladies colleges in Canada, remained at her position until her death in 1924. She wrote text books and educational works including, Bible Lessons for Schools. (three volumes) (London 1907-1908) and The Girl of the New Day (Toronto, 1919) about the role of young women in Canada after World War 1(1914-1918). (2021)

Early Graduate, University of Toronto & Teacher in British Columbia

Mary was one of the first ten women to graduated from the University of Toronto. Women were first allowed to attend the University of Toronto after the Ontario Legislature had passed permission for women students at the University in 1884. Not much is known about these early women graduates. They were not allowed to use the library catalogue or study halls and there was no women's washroom on campus when these young ladies dared to attend university. It is known that a Mary Lennox, a graduate of the University of Toronto was a teacher listed in 1904 and in 1909 as a teacher by the Superintendent of Education of British Columbia. (2022)

Anna Harriette/Harriet Emma Leonowens

née Edwards. Born November 6, 1831, Ahmadnagar, India. Died January 19, 1915, Montreal, Quebec. Anna seems to have attempted to alter the facts of her early life. She claimed that she had been born in Caernarvon, Wales, United Kingdom in 1834 the daughter of Captain Thomas Crawford. She also claimed to have married Major Leonowens in 1851. It is believed that she wished to hide her low birth and perhaps her mixed racial origin. She actually married Thomas Leon Owens on Christmas Day 1849 and the couple had four children. Widowed in 1859 and in order to support her family she opened a school for children of British officers in Singapore but the school was not successful. In 1862 she became governess to the 67 children of the King of Siam (now Thailand). By 1868 she was in the United States where she opened a school for kindergarten teachers in New York City. In 1870 she produced a series of articles for the Atlantic Monthly magazine about her life in Siam which soon was a book published under the title of the English Governess at the Siamese Court. In 1873 she published a second popular novel. In 1878 she moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with her daughter Avis and her son-in-law while still returning to the United Stages as a lecturer. In 1881 she went to Russia after the assassination of Emperor Alexander ll and was proclaimed the first foreign woman to have travelled in that country unescorted. She turned her attention to her grandchildren but still found time to produce books in 1884 and 1889. She became involved with her home community and raised funds for the Victoria Schools of Art and Design. The modern schools of Nova Scotia College of Art and Design contains the Anna Leonowens Gallery in her memory. She spent five years in Germany with daughter Avis and the grandchildren returning to Halifax in 1893. She played an prominent role in the Halifax Council of Women and participated in the early feminist movement of the city. She and her family relocated to Montreal in 1897 where after the death of her daughter she took care of the family. In 1944 author Margaret Dorothea Landon penned the book Anna and the King of Siam which was picked up by Rogers and Hammerstein for the Broadway play, The King and I followed by the movie favourite by the same name. (2021)

Born October 4, 1831, Lewisville (Moncton), New Brunswick. Died November 20, 1892, Saint John, New Brunswick. Martha's father died when she was an infant and she, and her brothers and sisters, were brought up by their loyalist grandfather. At this time it was the custom that only men became teachers and attended Normal School (teachers college) in either Fredericton or Saint John in New Brunswick. Martha’s first application to the Saint John Training School (teachers college) was turned down but she countered with a letter to Sir Edmund Walker Head who was the first civilian lieutenant governor of the province of New Brunswick. Head ruled that Martha was eligible and an order-in-council was passed directing that Miss Lewis be admitted to the school. She graduated in 1849. She was however warned that the Executive Council would not be responsible for any adverse effects of her decision. It was felt that having a woman in the classroom would disrupt the students, Martha was ordered to enter the call ten minutes before the male students and to leave five minutes before the class ended. She was also told to sit at the back of the classroom and wear a veil and not to speak to any of the young male student teachers! She completed her Normal School in 1850 and became licensed to teach outside of the city of Saint John. It took three years for her to be licensed to teach in the city itself. Martha married a grocery retailer, Alexander Nevers Peters on May 15, 1856, thus retiring from teaching. By 1856, there were almost twice as many female students as male students at the school. The couple would have four daughters. In 1852 49 of the 92 students at the Normal School in Saint John were women. Sources:  D C , vol. 12, (accessed December 21, 2015); New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Celebrating Achievers; Behind Every Successful Woman Are All the Women Who Came Before Her., September 2002. Online (accessed January 2016) (2021)

Born 1892, Orangeville, Ontario. Died May 18, 1956. Nellie was on the staff of the Ontario Council of Christian Education for 40 years. She became an expert in recreation and wrote several books on games and playing including Games and Parties the Year Round (Toronto, 1938) and Boys and Girls at Play (Toronto, 1946). (2021)

Born 1949, Poland. Died March 2005. After her father had fallen out of favor with Moscow communists the family moved to Israel and in 1960 settled in Canada. Terry studied for a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Toronto graduating in 1972. It is said that she took coursed in accounting because it meant less time in school than to study law. Later in life she would go on to take her Masters in Business Administration, York University, Toronto. After working as a chartered accountant at Coopers and Lybrand Chartered Accountants, and at William Eisenberg & Co. where she taught in-house courses, she discovered that she enjoyed teaching and she settled at the Scarborough campus of the University of Toronto spending 25 years there. Most often students found her very strict and demanding. However, the stronger students could see beyond the intimidation to become aware of a professor who cared enough to provide students with a strong foundation required by their chosen profession. Her students, like her family, were always her main concerns. Before her death she created the Terry Litovitz Merit Award in management for students. (2021)

née Brillon. Born May 11, 1931, Faust, Alberta. Died June 8, 1985, Vancouver, British Columbia. A busy housewife and mother of two in 1961 she took on the job of opening a modeling agency and self-improvement school which she later expanded to include fashion, esthetics and make-up artistry training. As C E O of the Native Communications Society of British Columbia she launched a journalism program for Indigenous students which produced it’s own newspaper for the local community. She was a founding member, Vancouver's First Woman's Network, a board member of the Better Business Bureau, the Modeling Association of America, the Professional Native Woman's Association and the Vancouver Indian Centre. In 1985 she received the Y W C A Woman of Distinction Award for Business and the Professions. After her death the new owner of the school operates it under the name of The Blanche Macdonald Center, a private college with two campus’ in Vancouver.  Source: the Vancouver Hall of Fame Online; The Blanche Macdonald Centre. (accessed November 2012.)  (2021)

Isabel Frances Leith Macdonald

Born January 17, 1917, Tamsui, Taiwan. Died January 16, 2013, Toronto, Ontario. Isabel's medical father took the family with him on his international work trips. Her first language was actually Chinese learned from her Chinese nanny. She took an interest in acting while studying at the University of Toronto (U of T). Shortly after attending university she married Ross Macdonald. In 1938 she spent three seasons with the Mohawk Drama Festival, Schenectady, New York, U.S.A. From 1940 thought 1950 she acted and directed with the Ottawa (Ontario) Drama League. She then began a long 24 year career sharing her love of drama with students at East York Collegiate, Toronto, where she became Department Head. She also worked with the College Drama Festival sponsored by Simpson’s Department Stores. Plays were presented at Hart House on the U of T Campus. She established the first Grade 13 Theatre Art Program in Ontario as well as the first television and film courses in the borough of East York (now Greater Toronto). She also produced a documentary on the 1930’s Korea. Her television, theatre, and film work has been preserved by the Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation. Source: Lives Lived by Stephanie Macdonald, The Globe and Mail June 12, 2013. (2021)

née Warrack. Born August 30, 1920, Port Hammond, British Columbia. Died June 2019, Duncan, British Columbia. Beryl earn a Bachelor of Arts from  the University of British Columbia. After university she worked at first at a laboratory at the Canadian Fishing Company. On August 31, 1946 she married John Algot March. After their marriage the couple designed their home which John would build over five years. The couple had one child. In 1962 she graduated with a, Master's degree. In 1969 she received the Nutrition Research Award from the Poultry Science Association and The American Feed manufacturers' Association From 1977 through 1980 she was a member of the National Research Council of Canada. In 1977 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Award. In 1986 she earned the Willard McHenry Award from the Canadian Society for Nutritional Science. In 1993 she received the 125th Anniversary medal in Commemoration of Confederation. She was a member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, the Poultry Science Association. She authored almost 200 scientific papers on nutrition and physiology with particular reference to poultry and fish.  She taught at the University of British Columbia becoming a Fellow in the Royal Society of Canada, Dean of Agriculture and upon active retirement she became Professor Emeritus at the University. Source: Canadian Who's Who 2000; Obituary, Globe and Mail, July 6, 2019.

Born 1966, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Monique studied at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon earning her Bachelor of Education in Fine Arts in 1993. As an artist Monique works in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, printmaking, oil painting, and pastels. Her works have been exhibited across Canada, Australia, England , France and the United States. She has lectured at workshops and conferences in various countries and has been Artist in Residence in Coaticook, Quebec in 2001, Wynard, Australia in 2003, Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.A. In 2004 Vallauris and Nice in France in 2006, Spalding, United Kingdom in 2008 and Ottawa, Ontario in 2010 and at the Saskatchewan Children's Festival in 2012. She has been involved with CARFAC, the Saskatchewan Craft Council, the Saskatoon Sculptors' Association, the Saskatoon Printmakers' Association, and both the Canadian and International organizations of the Society for Education Through Art. In 2000 and 2001 she received a National teaching award. In 2007 she was one of the teachers to earn the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History when she encourages her grade 7 and 8 students to create history-themed advertisements for local bus shelters and for bus interiors called 'Stops with History'.  In 2009 she received the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2010 the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission presented her with a Humanitarian Award. In 2017 she was presented with a Canada 150 Award from Saskatoon-Grasswood. (2021)

Born 1865, Mitchell, Ontario. Died May 10, 1929, Johannesburg, South Africa. Aletta taught public school and organized Sunday School. She felt that teaching was the greatest profession. Aletta earned her Bachelor Degree at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, and her Master's in 1895 with an Doctorate (PhD) in 1921.While at university she helped raised funds to build a women's residence called Ban Righ, Gaelic for the Hall of the Queen. She was a school teacher who was interested in the administration of her profession in became the first woman appointed inspector of Public Schools in Toronto. She wrote numerous books for her profession The Principles and Practice of Oral Reading (Toronto, 1904) and An Education Creed (Toronto, 1921. In 1928 she worked for a year in South Africa on an exchange program and she became ill and died. (2021)

née Mellish. Born January 27, 1849, Pownal, Prince Edward Island. Died January 9, 1901, New York City, U.S.A. Like so many young women of her era Mary began her working career as a teacher having attended Normal School (teacher's college) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She taught sporadically and also worked for a time as a governess. She went on to additional academic education attending Mount Allison Wesleyan Academy in Sackville, New Brunswick graduating in 1867 with a Mistress of Liberal Arts Diploma. She would work as a teacher and Preceptress at Mount Allison Wesleyan Female Academy from 1869-1873. She left teaching to marry Abram Newcomb Archibald in 1874. The couple had one son. After the death of her husband in 1885 she returned to working as Preceptress at Mount Allison Ladies Academy in order to support herself and her son. As well as being an educator she was an active member in the temperance work and other activities of the Melodist Church. The Mary Mellish - Archibald Library of Folklore at Mount Allison University was established by her son.  (2024) .

Born July 4, 1903, Buctouche, New Brunswick. Died 1982, Moncton, New Brunswick. The bilingual Marguerite always excelled in her scholastic studies earning a medal from the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick for her early studies. Marguerite was the first francophone woman in New Brunswick to graduate from a university when in 1923 she earned her degree with distinction from Sainte Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. She continued her education at the Sorbonne, Paris France earning a Diploma of Professor of the French Language. She earned a second Master's degree from Columbia University, New York Cit, U.S.A. and her doctoral degree (PhD) with honours from the University of Montreal. She was a member of the New Brunswick Provincial Normal School (teacher's college) from 1940 through 1946 and from 1953 to 1967 she served as vice principal of the New Brunswick Teachers College where in 1961 she became the first woman to be assistant principal. In 1952 she was a delegate to the Ottawa Conference on Education. Beginning in 1960 she served seven years a a member of the Saint Thomas University faculty in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She authored numerous article and over a dozen books including a 1950 children's book which was an adaptation on Longfellow's Evangeline.  She was one of three Canadians to attend the United Nations seminar in Holland on the teaching of human rights in secondary school. She was the vice president of U N I C E F for New Brunswick, served on the board of directors for The Beaverbrook Foundation , Le Cercle Français de Fredericton, the York Sudbury Historical Society, the Council of Women and the St Xavier University Alumni Association.  She was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1964. In 1977 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth l  Silver Jubilee medal. In 1979 she earned Le Prix de Mérite de l'A E F N B and in 1981 she was presented with a membership in La Companie des cent-associés Francophones. Her Portrait hangs in  Dr Marguerite Michaud Library in Fredericton. St. Francis Xavier University offers the Dr. Marguerite Michaud Prize in Canadian Studies. Source Educator Profile, New Brunswick Teachers Association online accessed (2024); Dr. Marguerite Michaud Prize in Canadian Studies, St. Francis Xavier University, online (accessed 2024); Daisy Michaud, New Brunswick Authors' Portal , Online (accessed 2024)

SEE - Religious Leaders

Born June 11, 1937, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Gwenna earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Home Economics from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) In 1992 she became responsible for the Instructional Development Program at the Extension Division. in 1959. She continued her education obtaining her Master's Degree in 1968 and then in 1970 her doctorate in Extension and Adult Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. After graduation she taught  in the Extension Division. In the mid 1970's she taught rural women at the University of Ghana in Accra. Returning to the University of Saskatchewan sh worked as a professor of Continuing Education at the College of Education. From 1982 through 1986 she served as Dean of Home Economics and followed this until 1990 as Associate vice-president, Academic. She was the first woman appointed to a senior academic administrative post at the U of S. In 1996 she received the Saskatchewan Association for Lifelong Learning Roby Kidd Award. In 1998 the University Alumni Association presented her the Award of Achievement. In 1999 she received the Outstanding United Way Award. In 2000 the Gwenna Moss Teaching and Learning Centre was established. Gwenna retired from the U of S in 2004. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan online (accessed 2022)

née Gillespie. Born 1866, Canada West (now Ontario). Died July 6, 1952, Abernethy District Saskatchewan. In 1989 the Gillespie family moved west to the Balcarres area of Saskatchewan. Kate worked in 1989 with the Crowstan Mission School. By 1997 she had taken a nursing course and went to the Mistawasis Mission where she was in charge of the day school along with her father and her sister. In 1901 she became principal of Fire Hills Boarding School. Here she helps her sister who served as Matron to prepare Indigenous youth to become farmers, farm wives or missionaries. In 1908 she married politician William Richard Motherwell (1860-1943)and became step mother to his two children. Kate became involved with her Presbyterian Church mission endeavors. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan online (accessed 2022)

née Lacerte. Born 1843, Fort Cumberland, Saskatchewan. April 22, 1922, St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba. Just before 1850 the Lacerte family moved to the red River Settlement from Pembina North Dakota, U.S.A. In 1954 her teacher became ill and she took over the class of Indigenous children in Saulteaux, the Ojibway language. She was just 9 years old!. She was went to Longueuil in Lower Canada (Quebec) in 1855 to further her education. She returned to the Red River Settlement to teach at Walhalla, in North Dakota. November 24, 1862 she married Joseph Miller, alias Mulaire and within a year the moved to Pointe Coupee where she taught school in St. Adolphe until 1882. After her husband's death in 1871 she became a single parent to her five children. From 1884 through 1893 she taught at the Ste. Agathe home. Some of her student's  work was sent to a colonial exhibition in London, England. Catherine would eventually move to live with her son in Otterburne and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren.  She would have a cross erected between the lands of her sons where all could gather a pray. Source: Catherine Mulaire, Nellie McClung Fondation, online (accessed 2024)

Born 1787, Quebec. Died March 30, 1869, St. Boniface, Manitoba. Angelique and her sister Marguerite were educated in Montreal by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. In 1819 the relocated to the Red River Settlement in Manitoba after having spent some time in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, U.S.A. The local Catholic bishop had asked the sisters to set up a school for Indigenous girls and although they refused at first she opened a school in 1829 after the death of their father. The school was the first such school in western Canada educating Métis, Francophones, Cree, Ojibwa and Scottish girls. The sisters themselves spoke fluently in French, English, Ojibway and Cree. In 1934 she traveled to Baie St. Paul (now St. Eustache) to open another school to help integrate Indigenous and Métis  learn of the white Catholic way of life. They would assist Father Belcourt  to write an Ojibway dictionary and additional textbooks. By the 1840's the sisters were farming locally. Source: Angelique and Marguerite Nolin, Nellie McClung Foundation. online (accessed 2024)

Born 1781, Quebec. Died September 1878, Manitoba. Marguerite and her sister Angelique were educated in Montreal by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. In 1819 the relocated to the Red River Settlement in Manitoba after having spent some time in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, U.S.A. The local Catholic bishop had asked the sisters to set up a school for Indigenous girls and although they refused at first she opened a school in 1829 after the death of their father. The school was the first such school in western Canada educating Métis, Francophones, Cree, Ojibwa and Scottish girls. The sisters themselves spoke fluently in French, English, Ojibway and Cree. In 1934 she traveled to Baie St. Paul (now St. Eustache) to open another school to help integrate Indigenous and Métis  learn of the white Catholic way of life. They would assist Father Belcourt  to write an Ojibway dictionary and additional textbooks. By the 1840's the sisters wer farming locally. Source: Angelique and Marguerite Nolin, Nellie McClung Foundation. online (accessed 2024)

Born 1895, Nova Scotia. Died December 7, 1960, Chester, Nova Scotia. After her primary schooling Bertha became a teacher and in 1908 she relocated to Saskatoon Saskatchewan to teach. She attended the University of Saskatchewan earning a Bachelor of Arts and went onn to hear a Master's degree at the University of Chicago in the U.S.A. She did additional post-graduate studies at Chicago in textiles and clothing. Returning to Saskatchewan she became an assistant professor in household science at the university. She and Ethel B. Rutter developed the School of Household Science where a Bachelor of Household Science could be earned. By 1930 she became director of Women's Work  developing Homemakers' Clubs for rural women.  She also penned a column in the publication the Western Producer.  She was active in the Canadian Association for Adult Education, the National Vocational Training Advisory Council, the Canadian Association of Consumers, the Canadian Home Economics Association, the Saskatchewan Technical Education Committee, and the Saskatchewan Farm Housing Committee.  Retiring in 1949 she returned to Chester, Nova Scotia. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. online (accessed 2022)

née Cazier. Born February 12, 1889, Utah, U.S.A. Died January 31, Nephi, Utah, U.S.A. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. She moved to Canada in 1912 to each English at Raymond Academy. Always interest in dram she directed may plays in the Lethbridge area. in 1916 she Married Asael Exile Palmer (1888-1984) who had been a student when she taught a Knight Academy. He would become an ecclesiastical leader in the Lethbridge area Later Day Saints (L D S) Church. The couple had four children. Mary was a charter member of the Lethbridge University Women's Club shere she served a term as president and remained a member for 25 years. She became a delegate to the Canadian Federation of University Women and was appointed provincial director of the Alberta Clubs from 1961-1963. After retiring in the Alberta area her husband tool and appointment with the Canadian Department of Trade and Commerce under the Colombo Plan in northern Pakistan where Mary taught English to young children.  When she was 87 she was still teaching adult classes in the LDS Church. The city of3 Lethbridge has named a street in her honour. Source: Legacy of Lethbridge Women, Lethbridge Historical Society 2005. (2022)(2024)

Born 1923, Brooklands, Manitoba. In 1942, after high school she earned a First Class Teaching Certificate beginning a 40 year love affaire with teaching. In 1950 she married another teacher, Alexander Pankiw. The couple had five children. While she was raising her family she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1965. In 1967 she received the Canada Centennial Medal. Although widowed in 1968 she earned her Bachelor of Education followed by a Master’s Degree in Education. Next she earned a Doctorate (PhD) from the Ukraine Free University. She also taught music and found time to be president of the Winnipeg Council of Women and volunteer with the Ukrainian Canadian Women’s Council. She would also serve on the Senate of the University of Manitoba from 1982-1988. In 1998 she won the Woman of Distinction Award from the Winnipeg YWCA and was listed in Chatelaine’s Who’s Who of Canadian Women. In 2006 she travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to the International Conference of women. In her spare time she wrote a successful children’s book. In 2011 she received the Eira “Babs” Friesen Award for lifetime achievement from the Y W C A in Winnipeg. Source: Herstory 2008: The Canadian Women’s Calendar (Coteau Books, 2007) : Winnipeg YWCA Online (accessed January 2013)

Born October 24, 1878, Bowmanville, Ontario. Died May 7,1953, Toronto, Ontario. In 1907 Nellie attended courses at the University of Toronto in Household Sciences. She was a physiological chemistry instructor until 1915 when she began to teach at Central Technical School in Domestic Sciences, Toronto, Ontario. In 1917 she wrote a book of recipes developed at the Central Technical School. By 1920 she was the Director of Domestic Sciences at the school. The book royalties she received were a welcome boost to her rather low teaching salary. For a short time she worked endorsing Quaker Oats Cake Flower. An annual award, in her name, was presented to students intending to teach home economics. Since she was established in her field it is easy to see why in 1923 she was chosen to edit the Canadian Cook Book published by Ryerson Press. It would see 20 printings from 1923 through 1951. It was Canada’s first mass-produced cookbook. It emphasized good nutrition and informed readers of the development of household science and economic courses. Chicken was an expensive purchase during this era so there were very few chicken recipes. It is interesting to note that the word “Cookie” was American and recipes for these were listed under “Small Cakes”. Helen included lots of colourful pickling and chili sauce recipes to brighten up the winter table. Nellie’s work was updated 1953 but she felt that she was too old to face the rather large task. She was replaced as editor by two women, Helen Wattie and Elinor Donaldson. Some of the later printings used the title Nellie Lyle Pattinson’s Canadian Cook Book. Source: “Cooking with Nellie” by Susan Goldenberg, The Beaver, October/November 2005; Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021)

née Crosbie. Born November 28, 1902, St. John's Newfoundland. Died December 11, 1974, St. John's, Newfoundland. After attending primary school in St. John's she attended private school in Toronto, Ontario. On September 11, 1926 Vera married Albert Benjamin Perlin (1901-1978). The couple had three children. Vera would become involved in her community and helped establish Newfoundland's first Home and School association and would later preside over the regional Council of  Council of Home and School Associations. She also served on the Advisory Board of the St. John's United Church Orphanage. While working at the orphanage she encountered and became concerned of the lack of attention being made to educated children with developmental disabilities. By 1954 she had persuaded the United Church Orphanage to establish a day care class in the basement to help the children and persuaded noted educator Mollie / Molly Dingle (1892-1987) to work with the class. Vera traveled to visit schools and even spend time at school in Great Britain to garner ideas for instructing children with developmental disabilities. At one time a Miss A. M. Fuller of Wales came to spend time in Newfoundland to help out at the school. Vera single-handedly formed the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children (Now Newfoundland Association for Community Living) forming eleven branches outside St. John's. In December 1957 she persuaded her husband and his business associated to fund the purchase of a house to help with the growing needs of the school. In 1959, to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, the provincial government gave a yearly grant of $10,000.00 to the work of the Association. The annual grant lasted until 1971 when the government took over responsibility for the education of children with developmental disabilities. In 1962 Vera was honoured with the first Citizen of the Year Award for the City of St. John. In 1966 a new multi purpose building was build and was named the Vera Perlin School (now the Perlin Centre). In 1967 she was one of 11 Canadian women honoured as Women of the Century by the National Council of Jewish Women. The following year she was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada. The Vera Perlin Society continued to co-operate with parents/guardians to delivery services to all with developmental disabilities. Source: History. Vera Perlin Society. online (accessed 2023)

Born June 12, 1861, Saint John, New Brunswick. Died August 30, 1914, Boston, Massauchetts, U.S.A. In 1847 Mabel and her sister became the proprietors of the family hotel. By 1900 she was a known lecturer and gave a paper at the 1901 National Council of Women on vacation schools and playgrounds and the benefits of these on the lives of young students. From 1902 to 1914 she was the convener of the Committee to Promote Playgrounds and Vacation Schools. She was also and active member of the Playground Association of America. She was also known for her strong suffragist attitude and a member of a number of Saint John womens suffrage groups. She spoke at conferences such as the Washington National Suffrage Conference in 1902. Source: D C B (2021)

Born Lorain, Ohio, U.S.A. Martha studied for the Bachelor of Science (B, Sc.) at the University of Michigan in 1967. Moving to the University of Connecticut she earned her Masters of Arts and in 1979 she received her Doctorate (PhD) at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. Her distinguished career would lead her to western Canada to work at the University of Alberta and then as President and Vice Chancellor at the University of British Columbia in 1997. She also has served on numerous boards and committees including the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation. She became an Officer in the Order of Canada in 2003. In 2004 she was awarded the Educator of the Year and recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful Top 100 women. In 2005 she received the Order of British Columbia. Suggested Resources: Canadian Who’s Who 2006 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press)  (2021)

Born ca 1790. Died April 9, 1839, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. Little is known of Nancy’s early life. She married James Purvis and the couple had three daughters. Nancy became a widow with the death of her husband on April 15, 1830. Left with no option but to work to support her daughters Nancy 1st attempted a millenary business but it was short lived. Soon after she advertised the opening of a school where she and her daughters would teach young ladies. She would open later the Purvis School, again with the help of her daughters as teachers. It was noted at the time that it was a model of its time. The 4 women provided opportunity for girls to be educated at a time when education opportunities were lacking in Nova Scotia. Nancy’s history shows the efforts that widows were forced to make in order to make a life for themselves. Source: D C B  (2020)

Born June 7, 1839, Temporary County, Ireland. Died February 18,1923, Chatham, New Brunswick.  Anne immigrated with her family when she was just a child and the family settled in Chatham, New Brunswick. By 1856, having completed her own education she enrolled in school in Saint John to earn a second class teaching licence. She returned home to Chatham to teach. She was so popular that she had up to 60 students in her class and  and had her younger sister, Susan, as a volunteer to help with the students. After the St. Michael's Academy for Boys was established in 1860, the public wondered about a school for girls. In 1862 Anne established a school for girls at the Catholic Temperance Hall. In 1871 the New Brunswick Common Schools Act provided for free schools and free denominational schools became history. In 1869 the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph opened a girls school and Anne helped organize the convent school and became a teacher and principal with a first class licence. In the 1880's she was a member of the management committee of Northumberland County Teacher's Institute. When she was just 50 ill health prevented her from teaching full time. In 1896 she was a School Trustee for the new incorporated Town of Chatham. She also taught privately in her home. Source; D C B (accessed 2023)

Born March 31, 1859, Epping Forrest, Essex, England. Died May 27, 1954, British Columbia. Before emigrating to Canada Alice had built up a sold reputation as a lecturer and author on public health. She was co-author of Household Administration ( New York, 19110). She arrived in Canada in 1911 on the west coast as a welfare worker with Indigenous peiples. She became extremely interested in the lives of the people she worked with, their spirits, their crafts, and their very way of life. She would produce several books on west coast Indian lore including Native Tribes of Pacific Canada (Victoria, 1938) and A corner Stone of Canadian Culture: an Outline of the Arts and Crafts of the Indian Tribes of British Columbia (Victoria, 1953). She would receive an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia in 1948 as recognition of her efforts on behalf of the native peoples. She was one of the first authors to propound Indigenous rights on the west coast. Sources: Canadian Early Women Writers. (2021)

Born St. Paul, Alberta. Claudette was always been a strong supporter of her community. She was a founding member of La Cité francophone, a community and business centre, and of Edmonton's chante music festival. She is a member of the Human History Gallery Advisory Group of the Royal Albert Museum. she has served on many professional committees including the Canadian Teachers' Federation, and the 2004 Edmonton Centennial Celebration Committee and the Board of Trustees of the Western Catholic Reporter. She has received many honours for her work in promoting francophone rights and community visibility. She has been inducted into the Order of Canada, and in 2002 she received the Queen's Jubilee Medal and has received the Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2008 Claudette ran unsuccessfully as a candidate in the federal election. (2019)

Born July 27, 1896, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 25, 1971, Montreal, Quebec. Anne was a pioneer in teaching children’s art. Her own works matured showing a lyrical quality and late in life she was attracted to the abstract form of painting. She was a teacher to several rising young Canadian artists. In 1921 she joined the Beaver Hall Hill Group of painters. In 1927 she spent time in British Columbia where she sketched native villages on the northwest coast. In 1948 she was appointed supervisor of art for the Protestant School Board of Montreal. She retired from full-time teaching in 1953 and was named a Supervisor of Art for the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal. She was predominant in founding the High School Art Teaching Association in 1955 as well as the Child Art Council which is now the Quebec Society for Education Through Art. (2019)

née Boswell. Born October 29, 1931, Victoria, Prince Edward Island. Died February 27, 2023, Moncton, New Brunswick. Ruth studied music at Mount Allison University. In 1953 she met her husband John Schiller (died 2001). This mother of three children was a leader and music specialist for 45 years. A conductor, adjudicator and lecturer she has represented Canada numerous times at the International Society of Music Education. She was been awarded the André Thadée Bourque and Louise Manny Award for Excellence in Music, the Centennial Award, the Leslie Bell Choral Award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and recognized by the New Brunswick Teachers Association for outstanding contribution to education in the province. She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992 and in 1996 she became a member of the Order of British Columbia. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal.  (2021) Source: Obituary online (accessed 2024)

Born April 1, 1911, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died January 22, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sybil earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1929. The following year she earned her teacher's certificate. The depression prevented her from gaining a full-time teaching position so, to make a living, she wrote articles for a labour council newspaper and The Western Jewish News. She also gave tutorials and was a substitute teacher. In 1932 she began teaching at Foxwarren School and then at Shoal Lake School. In the mid 1930's she took a position with the Winnipeg School Division and taught at first at Margaret Scoot School and then at Strathcona School. While at Laura Secord School she attended the University of Manitoba once again to obtain a Master's Degree in Education. In 1948 she became the first woman in the province of Manitoba: to serve as a school Principal working at Sargeant Park School from 1948 through 1954. and in 1947 she was at Kelvin High School. By the time she retired in 1976 she had served as Principal at five additional schools. In the 1950's she was well known as a writer and broadcaster of C B C education radio programs. In 1965 she published: Primer: A Canadian Teacher Looks at Children, Schools, and Parents. In 1960 she served as the president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society and as a director of the Canadian Teachers Federation. She was also a founding member and fellow of the the Canadian College of Teachers. Sybil would also serve on various provincial government boards and commissions and served as Chair of the Legislative Review Committee. In 1970 she received the Manitoba Centennial Medal from the Manitoba Historical Society. In 1973 she wrote on women in education followed in 1977 with Saturdays Stepchildren about women in Canadian Business. She was a member of numerous organizations including the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women, Amnesty International, and the Winnipeg Humane Society. In 1984 she was appointed to the Order of Canada, the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, and the Manitoba Human Rights Achievement Award. In 1986 she was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt. In 1996 she became a member of the Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame. Source: Memorable Manitobans. online (accessed 2024)

née Shaw. Born June 21, 1832, Pleasant Valley (now Berwick) Nova Scotia. Died June 18, 1921, Berwick, Nova Scotia. She traveled to Massachusetts, U.S.A. to attend Mount Holyoke Seminary graduating in August 1857 with her Master's of Arts degree. She taught for a year at the Ladies Collegiate Institute of Worchester, Massachusetts, U.S.A. before returning to Nova Scotia where she taught at the Chase School for Young Ladies in Wolfville. In June 1859 she opened her own School for Young Ladies in Berwick. In 1860 she became the first principal foe the new Female Department of Horton Academy in Wolfville. In June 1861 the school was renamed the Grand Pre Seminary. On October 28, 1862 she married Rev. Alfred Chipman (1834-????) and the couple had three children. Alice and Alfred retired to Berwick in 1899. (2018)

née Shuber. Born May 18, 1930, Toronto, Ontario. Died March 20, 2009, Toronto, Ontario. Rose earned her Bachelor of Arts in science from the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1951. That same year she married an engineer, Joseph Sheinin, and the couple had three children. She continued her education receiving a Master's Degree in biochemistry in 1953 and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Biochemistry in 1956. She taught at the U of T for 25 years in the Departments of Microbiology, Medical Biophysics, and in Microbiology and Parasitology. She was the Chair of Microbiology and Parasitology 1975-1981 and became Vice-Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the U of T, 1984-1989. In 1989, she moved to Montreal when she was appointed Professor in the Department of Biology and Vice-Rector Academic at Concordia University.  She chaired many groups including Women in Scholarship Committee (1989-1994). She was on the National Advisory Board for the Canadian Encyclopedia and was winner of the Woman of Distinction Award in 1988. she was also an internationally respected researcher, a specialist in cancer research and DNA replication. For more than 30 years the Medical Research Council of Canada and the national Cancer Institute of Canada funded her research. She had more than one hundred scholarly publications. She was also the recipient of the Government of Canada’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1978 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1981. Rose retired from the administration at Concordia in 1994  but continued teaching until she retired in 2000. (2019)

Born May 6, 1869, Hampshire, England. Died, April 10, 1949, Regina, Saskatchewan. After the death of Catherine's father, her mother immigrated with her family  to farm in the Cannington Manor area of Saskatchewan. Catherine became a teacher in Wolseley prior to moving to Regina in 1920 and beginning to work for the provincial Department of Education. In 1925 she began the Outpost Correspondence School, which in time, became the Saskatchewan Government Correspondence School. She would serve as convener of the local Council of Women Education Committee and on the Collegiate Board for two decades. In 1935 she was elected to the Public School Board and served a four year term. In 1938 she became an independent candidate in the provincial election but she did not campaign and withdrew prior to the election. The Regina Council of Women honoured her with a Life Membership in 1949. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan online (accessed 2022); Find a grave online (accessed 2024)

née Hyodo. Born 1908, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died August 22, 1999, Nepean, Ontario. Hide studied at the University of British Columbia for a year but found tuition fees too expensive and to transferred to a teacher's training school. In 1926 she became one of the first Nisei (second-generation Japanese-Canadians) to earn a teacher's certificate. She taught at Lord Byng  School in Steveston, British Columbia. Hide did not speak Japanese and found her teaching grade one students who were fluent in Japanese a challenge. She continued to teach until 1942. In 1935 she was part of a group from the Japanese Canadian Citizens League that travelled to the House of Commons in Ottawa in a failed attempt to support of Asian-Canadian enfranchisement. World War ll (1939-1945) was a dark period of Canadian history when Canadians of Japanese descent were removed from their homes and land and placed in detention camps. Hide was one of the detainees. Living in the camps, Hide organized classes for the children of the camps to ensure they received an education. Moving to Toronto, Ontario after the war she married Rev. Kosaburo Shimizu (died 1962), a widowed United Church Minister with four children. Later as a supervisor of teacher training she assisted in assuring proper social adjustment of Japanese evacuees in the Toronto area. On June 21, 1982, Hide was awarded the Order of Canada for her dedication to teaching and helping others. The Lord Byng School dedicated a traditional Japanese Rock Garden in her honour. The Greater Toronto chapter of the National Associations of Japanese Canadians (N A J C) and the Hastings Park Foundation jointly offer a scholarship for Japanese-Canadian students in her memory.  Source: Japanese Canadian Timeline online. (accessed June 2012) (2021)

née Smith. Born 1927? Weymouth, Falls, Nova Scotia. Died December 29, 2019, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Florence attended Oakdene School in Bear River, Nova Scotia. At 15 she took a home study course in music and used her musical talents at the Victoria Road United Baptist Church and community. In 1952 the Inspector of Schools appointed her as a teacher at Weymouth Falls. She went on to teach in Lucasville in the one room school house with 48 students! The Alderney Chapter of the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I O D E) provided funds for Florence to attend the Provincial Normal School (teacher's college) where she graduated in 1957. She would teach for 25 years at the Partridge River School in East Preston, Nova Scotia. In the evenings she taught adult classes and participated in Home and School events. She married Douglas Bauld. She also continued to take courses from Saint Mary's University and Dalhousie Universities to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree and her Bachelor of Education. She also taught in Digby and Halifax County school for 35 years. As a volunteer she was recognized for outstanding services by the Red Cross Society. She was a found of the Black Professional Women's Group of Nova Scotia. The Dartmouth Heritage Museum presented her as a Memorable Woman. In 1988 she received two plaques for faithful service to the Victoria Road United Baptist Church. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2023)

née Fischl. Born December 16, 1914, Kladno, Czechoslovakia. Died August 29, 2014, London, Ontario. Hanna earned her Doctorate (PhD) in Languages at the University of Prague and became a teacher. Her family escaped the Nazi regime of Adolph Hitler in the late 1930's by claiming to be gentiles in order to immigrate to Canada where there were restrictive immigration policies against Jews. Settling in Eastern Ontario Hanna began a teaching career at a Private School in Ottawa where she met and married Elvins Spencer (d 2010). While her two children were at home she became president of the National Women’s Council. With her children back at school, Hanna resumed her teaching career as a professor of German languages at the University of Western Ontario. In the late 1960’s she published the book: Hanna’s Diary 1938-1941, which was based on the diary she kept prior to immigrating to Canada. Sources: Mary Spencer, Lives Lived: Hanna Spencer, Globe and Mail, February 20, 2015; Jennifer Brown, Hanna Spencer, who would have turned 101 in December… London Free Press, September 2, 2014. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born February 17, 1856, California, U.S.A. Died July 31,1890, Nanaimo, British Columbia. When Emma was just a toddler the family arrived on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. By 1875 the family had moved to Cedar near Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. By 1880 her mother had moved herself and all the children back to Salt Spring Island. Emma attended school in a log cabin schoolhouse. When she was ready to attend high school she moved to Nanaimo to live with her father. Graduating secondary school she trained to be a teacher in Nanaimo. In August 1874 she was hired to teach in a one room school in the Cedar District at $40.00 per month. Emma was the first Black teacher on Vancouver Island. Emma and students who lived a long distance from the school lived in a cabin. December 28, 1878 Emma married James Clark. Source: BC Black History Awareness Society online (accessed 2022)

née Stearns. Born 1907. Died 2006. It seems that Hazel always wanted to be a teacher. After graduating high school she was teaching in a one-room school in the Pontiac region of Quebec. In the Pontiac she made friends with another teacher and the two young ladies took a job on an Algonquin Reserve north of Maniwaki. It was quite the adventure for the two young teachers who  having taken a train from Hull (now Gatineau) to Maniwaki which was the end of the train line.  The attempted to take a hired horse and wagon but the three day trek to the reserve had trails so muddy the girls were forced to walk most of the trip to Bark Lake Depot on the shores of Barriere Lake.  From here they travelled by canoe to their summer home in a small cottage. They must have enjoyed teaching English to their Algonquin students. The whole community came and made summer camp near the Catholic Church and Hudson's Bay Store. The girls returned home in the fall but returned the following summer, this time travelling in a sea plane. Hazel went on to attend Macdonald College  to earn a formal teaching degree and taught in schools in the Gatineau area. She married Carl Langford Gibson (1900-1948)and settled in the Gatineau Hills. The couple had at least two children. After the death of her husband Hazel and her daughter moved around the are and spent a period of time at Sissinghurst Castle in England. Source: Notable Women of the Gatineau Valley and the Outaouais online (accessed 2022); Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2022)

née Rose. Born January 15, 1866, Georgetown, Ontario. Died 1963, Ottawa, Ontario. Laura was born into the famous 'Five Roses Flour' family. As a young woman she kept house for her brother in North Dakota, U.S.A. In 1893 she graduated from Dairy School at the Ontario Agriculture College (O A C), Guelph, Ontario. For the next almost 20 years she would lecture and supervise the Home Dairy Department at the O A C becoming Canada's first dairy instructor. In 1904 she drove a horse and buggy traveling Dairy School throughout Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Her lecture series on butter, From Stable to the Table was published in the Farmer's Advocate in the early 1900's. She would work with the Women's Institutes establishing three new branches by 1900. By 1909 she had established 15 branches in British Columbia. She designed the Women's Institute badge and established their motto, 'Home and Country'. In 1911 she wrote a textbook, Farm Dairying, which would have four editions. in 1930 she was the Canadian government delegate to the 1st International Conference of Country Women. That same year she married William F. Stephen (1863-1933). In 1949 a local branch of the Women's Institute near Cambridge, Ontario, was named in her honour. The couple settled in Montreal and adopted two children. In 1983 Laura was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. Source: Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame online; Find a grave Canada online (accessed 2021)

Died November 23, 1981, Belleville, Ontario. Jessie was a beloved teacher at Albert College, Belleville, Ontario. Jessie came to the college to teach in the music department. In 1912 she was named Dean of Women at Albert College, a position she would retain until 1952 when she retired. She was well respected by all the students so much so that older students cautioned newcomers to treat her with the utmost respect and to behave properly in her classes. As well a teaching in the formal classroom she also coached after hours drama helping students to produce numerous plays for entertainment of the college. The first stained glass window at the Memorial Chapel at Albert College was dedicated to her and paid for by contributions from grateful students. Source: Albert College web pages. (accessed 2022); Find a grave Canada (accessed 2022)

Born February 25, 1895, Japan. Died November 27, 1989, Vancouver, British Columbia. Chitose came to Canada with her parents while uner one year old. After working at first in a mill her father Chiyoshichl (died 1913( eventually opened a general store. She would attend the University of British Columbia and become one of the first female graduates in 1916. Choosing to become a teacher she moved to teach in rural Alberta when she could not fine a school to hire a Japanese Canadian teacher in British Columbia. She would return to British Columbia when the Canadian Government interred Japanese Canadians after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, U.S.A. All possessions of Japanese Canadians were confiscated when they were sent to the internment camps. Chitose would teach at Taylor Lake Japanese Internment Camp in 1942. Source: Chitose Uchida Collection Nikkei National Museum online (accessed 2024); Find a Grave online (accessed 2024).

née Coe. Born December 1862, Brent Elly, England. Died October 3,1934, Picture Butte Alberta. Edith trained as a teacher in England and worked as a governess in France. In the 1883 she followed her parents immigrating and settling Alberta. Her father was a veterinarian with the Northwest Mounted Police and was assigned to Fort Macleod where Edith opened a private school for local Métis and white children. Her father was later assigned to work in Lethbridge and the family moved with him. She started a one-room school in a miners' cottage in 1885 becoming the first teacher in Lethbridge. A year later on June 18, 1888, she married Herbert 'Bert' Falkland Fitzmaurice Warren*  (1867-1940), a Northwest Mounted Police officer and, as was the norm of the day, she left her teaching career. The couple settled on a farm in the Iron Springs/Turin area and had at  two children. The City of Lethbridge has named a street in her honour. * husbands name is reported differently on different websites. Source: Legacy of Lethbridge Women, Lethbridge Historical Society 2005.; Edith Emma Coe, Galt Archives, Alberta online (accessed 2022); Find a grave Canada (accessed 2022)

Elizabeth Waterston


Educator & Author

née Hillman. Born April 18, 1922, Montreal, Quebec. Died February 18, 2024, Bradenton, Florida, U.S.A. Elizabeth began her university education at McGill University, Montreal but after two years she transferred to the University of Toronto (U of T) where received both her Bachelor of Arts. She earned her masters from Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and her Doctorate (PhD) at U of T. She met and married Doug Waterston while working on her PhD. The couple had five children. She was  a teacher at Sir George Williams University, Montreal, Quebec, The University of Western Ontario (now Western University), London, Ontario, and the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, where she held the status of Professor Emeritus. She was a founding member of the Association of Canadian University Teachers of English and of the Association for Canadian and Quebec Literatures. In the late 1970's she was the president of the Humanities Association of Canada and is the founding editor of Canadian Children's Literature. She was also well known for her editorial expertise from working on the Selected Journals of L. M. Montgomery (1985, 1987 and 1992) as well as co-author of Writing a Life: L. M. Montgomery (1994). She also shred authoring of Silenced Sextet: Six 19th Century Women Novelists (1993). In 2020 she was appointed to the Order of Ontario and the following year she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018 she was appointed to the Order of Canada.  (2021)

Born September 1, 1911, Bracebridge, Ontario. Died October 22, 2009, Toronto, Ontario. After earning her Bachelor of Arts and her Master’s in Education, Helen taught food, nutrition and home management (home economics) at various schools throughout Ontario including Weston, and St. Catharines. At Kirkland Lake, Ontario, she was Vice-principal at the local high school. She also participated in a teaching exchange which took her to Edmonton, Alberta. Helen also taught at Ryerson Community College, (now Metropolitan Toronto University). In 1953 she and Eleanor Donaldson revised the Canadian Cookbook, taking over from Nellie Lyle Pattinson (1878-1953). This new edition was reprinted well into the 1970’s. When she retired from teaching in Ontario she signed up with the Canadian University Students Overseas (C U S O) and taught in Ghana, West Africa. Source: Obituary, The Globe and Mail October, 2009. (2021)

Inuit Teacher

née Ford. Born April 1, 1932, Nain, Labrador. Died April 26, 2004, Northwest River, Newfoundland and Labrador. As a child, Bea's mother was determined that she would get an education so at six she was sent of boarding school. Later she would attend Memorial University, Newfoundland, in 1949 and become the first Labrador Inuit to qualify as a teacher in 1957. Returning to Labrador she taught, became a principal and later an administrator with the Labrador East Integrated School Board. She developed Inuit programs and Inuktitut immersion classers. As she travelled the area she gathered stories, songs and games reworking them into various Inuit dialects. She also authored a handbook for teachers of Inuktitut. She even introduced the language and stories over the C B C radio. As a young mother of five children, she stayed at home running a daycare centre until her own youngest was in school. She was president of the Labrador Native Women’s Association and showed community involvement as the first woman mayor in Labrador. Retiring from teaching she retained community commitment by working on the Labrador Inuit Association Land Claims team. Source: Saskatoon Women’s Calendar Collective. Herstory 2007: the Canadian Women’s Calendar (Regina: Couteau Books, 2006)  pg. 12. (2021)(2024)

Born April 22, 1944, Gull Bay First Nations, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, Ontario. Died May 30, 2020, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Dolores was the first indigenous person to earn a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master's of Education in northwestern Ontario. She would spent 15 years at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, developing the Native Teacher Education Program and then took three years to establish the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University, Hamilton. She was a founding member of the Lakehead Public Schools Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee where she served in the position of co-chair. She was inducted into the Order of Ontario and received the Lakehead Alumni Award. She also received the Ontario Public School Board's Associate Award of Excellence. She was the first female Indigenous Emerita in North America. (2020)

Born August 26, 1881, Coburg, Ontario. Died April 15, 1964, Ottawa, Ontario. Alice studied modern language and history at Victoria College, Toronto, in 1901. She had wanted to be a teacher. Poor health kept her from completing her studies. She would complete her degree only in 1911. During the First World War she funded her projects wit her own money studying comparative anatomy and marine biology in Long Island, New York, U.S.A. Later in the war back in Canada she joined the Canadian women's war effort. While returning to working at the Geological Survey of Canada she was originally refused time off to complete her Doctoral studies. In 1927 she was awarded a scholarship from the Canadian Federation of University Women (C F U W)  and by 1929 she graduated from the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. with a doctorate in geology. A paleontologist who worked at the Geological Survey of Canada, where she described fossils in papers and books. She lectured and traveled to bring geology to the public, especially children. In 1937 she was the 1st woman to be elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She became a Member of the Order of the British Empire, was the first woman to be a  Fellow in the Royal Society of Canada in 1938 and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She was also the first Canadian woman admitted to the Geological Society of America. In 1991 the Royal Society of Canada established the Alice Wilson Awards for emerging woman scholars. In 2005 she was inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame. October 2018 the government of Canada recognized her a a person of National Historic Significance. (2021)

Born Fredericton, New Brunswick. In 1901 Tillie /Tilly became the first Black woman to attend a university in New Brunswick, graduating from the University of New Brunswick in 1905. She earned a Bachelor of Arts, and the Montgomery Campbell Prize for excellence in classics. Unable to get a teaching position in New Brunswick she went on to teach in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a short time before moving to the United States. She married Frances P. MacAlpine and became a music teacher and Dean of the Normal Department at Central College in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A. in 1906. By 1916 she had settled in Springfield, Massacheutts, U.S.A. teaching at Springfield College. In 1950 she relocated to Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.  Source: New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Celebrating Achievers; Behind Every Successful Woman Are All the Women Who Came Before Her., September 2002. Online (accessed January 2016) (2021)

Kathleen Barrett Blanchard

Music Historian

Born 1872,  England. Died 1954, Vancouver, British Columbia.  Kathleen came to Winnipeg with her husband around 1920. By 1940 she Had begun writing for the Winnipeg Free Press newspaper about the history of church music. Her column was called “Romance of Our Hymns.” She ultimately published five books, including: The Gossamer Thread (1937) and Stories of Popular Hymns (c1939).She moved to Vancouver in 1953. Source: Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by J. M. Bumsted University of Manitoba Press, 1999: Memorable Manitobans. Online (accessed December 2011)

Born October 8, 1914, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died January 26, 1991, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mary started writing for the Winnipeg Free Press newspaper during World War ll (1939-1945) penning a column entitled “What Can I Do?” After her retirement from the newspaper, she wrote a number of biographies of famous Canadians for schoolchildren and local history, including a history of St. George’s Church in the Winnipeg neighborhood of Crescentwood. She won the 1984 Y W C A Woman of the Year Award. Her papers are held in the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections. Sources: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 29 January 1991, page 32. Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by J. M. Bumsted University of Manitoba Press, 1999

née Shantz. Born May 29, 1921, Wilmot, Township, Wellington County, Ontario. Died March 22, 2009, Cambridge, Ontario. Lorna was a Mennonite Historian who gathered the local oral history and wrote about the stories she was told. Lorna Married David D. Bergey and the couple had two sons. She was active not only in local historical groups, such as the Waterloo Historical Society and the Doon Heritage Crossroads, but also with the Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church of North America and the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario. In 1965 she was a founding Board Member of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario where she served as secretary for 32 years. She assisted in the production of several films and plays, and the production of the Mennonites in Ontario booklets by J. Winfield Fretz and Marlene Epp. Lorna developed and led many tours of "Mennonite country" for individuals and bus groups, including the tours during the Mennonite Bicentennial in 1986. She also served as secretary of the Mennonite Bicentennial Commission and was historian for the Mennonite Conference of Ontario for many years. She took an active role in establishing and setting up the Brubacher House Museum on the University of Waterloo Campus. She was the first archivist of the Mennonite Archives of Ontario which is located at Conrad Grebel College, Waterloo, Ontario. She authored numerous article on Mennonite history for the publications of the organizations to which she was active as well as for the Mennonite Encyclopedia. In 1993 she was presented with the Joseph Schneider Haus Volunteer Award. In 1999 she was the recipient of the Kitchener Seniors Advisory Award of Distinction. In 2001 she earned the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation Award of Excellence followed in 2007 with the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada’s Award of Excellence. Family and friends raised funds to have the Archives Office named in her honour. Source: Waterloo Regional Hall of Fame. Online. (Accessed July 2014) ; Find a grave. Online (accessed July 2014) (2021)

Born August 2, 1922, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Died October 25, 1986, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Phyllis attended Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she earned her Bachelor of Education, and her Master of Arts degrees. In 1945 she began working as a research assistant at the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. She published Glimpses of Halifax: a Brief History in 1956. She also contributed 31 historical biographies to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. In 1978 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada and the following year she had rose through the ranks to became the first woman to be Provincial Archivist of Nova Scotia in 1982. She retired in 1985. In 1988 the DR. Phyllis R. Blakeley Award for Archival Excellence, granted to member institutions and organizations in good standing with the Council of Nova Scotia Archives was created. Source: Obituary, Archivaria, Association of Canadian Archivists. (2019)

née Aylestock. Born January 29, 1923, Mapleton, Ontario. Died July 23, 2019, Scarborough, Ontario. Rella is a descend of the pioneers of Wellington County, Ontario. Her ancestors escaped slavery in the United States through the underground railroad. In 1946 Rella and her husband, Henry A. 'Bob' Braithwaite, settled in Scarborough, (now Greater Toronto), Ontario, as one of the first Black families in the area. The couple raised six children together. As she settled into community life Rella soon found herself serving on the local school board. As a journalist she wrote a column on Black history for the newspaper, Contrast for a decade. In 1975 she published the book: Black Women in Canada, covering outstanding Canadian Black women. She also helped the Ontario Ministry of Education to develop a Black Studies Guide for classroom use. Source: Obituary, online (accessed 2022)

Born May 11, 1911, Souris, Manitoba. Died December 18, 1998, Souris, Manitoba. Evelyn  was the daughter of a farmers, John and Mildred Brandon. In 1967 she helped to set up the Hillcrest Museum, Souris, and wrote six books on local history, including two about the Souris area. She left the farm in 1980 and moved into a house in Souris where she resided until 1997. Sources: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 7 January 1999, page 15.; Memorable Manitobans. Online. (accessed December 2011)  2021)

née Cornfoot. Born February 7, 1887, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Died February 28, 1975, Prince Edward Island. Mary attended Prince of Wales College in P. E. I. and became a teacher.  She married William Brehaut (1872-1972) July 9,1912 and the couple raised three children. In 1953, with the revival of the P. E. I. Heritage Foundation, she edited five volumes of P. E. I. history. (2021) 

née Matheson. Born November 24, 1905, St Barnabas Anglican Mission, Onion Lake First Nations, Saskatchewan. Died July 6, 2009, Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan. In 1928 she graduated from the University of Manitoba and earned her teaching certificate. She taught in Manitoba and later in Saskatchewan. In 1933 she married Geoffrey J. Buck and the couple had one daughter. In 1946 the family settled in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1953 she was elected to the Regina Collegiate Board and served as Chair when the board amalgamated in 1966 with the Public School Board. In 1967 she was elected to Regina’ 1st Board of Education. After her retirement from teaching she turned her energies toward writing. She wrote articles telling of the history of Saskatchewan and the prairies. In 1973 she published the book, Voices of the Plains Cree followed the next year by a biography of her mother, The Doctor Rode Sidesaddle. In 1974 a Regina elementary school was named in her honour. Source: Ruth M. Buck Fonds. Saskatchewan Archival Information Network. Online (accessed April 2014) (2021)

Born November 14, 1839. Stamford, Ontario. Died March 31, 1926, Niagara -on-the-Lake, Ontario. Janet obtained a teacher's certificate when she was just 16, At 18 she attended the Toronto Normal School (teachers' college). She taught school for 39 years in Brantford, Kingston, Peterborough and then Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario. A teacher and historian She worked tirelessly for the Niagara Historical Society in Ontario founding it in 1895 serving as president and curator of the museum opened in 1907. She would author several local church histories in the 1890's before publishing the History of Niagara (Toronto, 1914). Source: D C B (2021)

Born 1946, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Margaret attended Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia earning her Bachelor degree in 1967. She continued her studies at the University of Toronto where she earned her Master's degree. She earned her Doctorate (PhD) while working at Acadia University in 1971. She continued teaching at Acadia until 2002. In 1973 she co-founded the women’s study program at Acadia. She helped found Atlantis, which fought for use of non-sexist language. She also served on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board and sought to have women and visible minorities included as persons of Historical Significance. She served as president of the Canadian History Association and also on the Board of directors of Canada’s National History Society. She authored a biography on Ellen Fairclough, the first woman cabinet minister, and published diaries of rural Nova Scotia women. In 2002 she was awarded the Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Studies at the University of New Brunswick. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has received the Order of Canada. Source: Herstory: The Canadian Women's calendar. 2008  (Saskatoon Women's Calendar Collective / Coteau Books, 2007) (2021)

Born April 19,1925, Lake Max District, Manitoba. Died January 29, 2012, Brandon, Manitoba. Connie attended Central Normal School (teachers' College), Winnipeg, Manitoba on the B. J. Hales Scholarship. For 33 years she was a teacher and eventually a principal of high school in Killarney, Morden and Brandon, Manitoba. She also spent some time teaching in Ethiopia. She continued her own education with degrees from the University of Manitoba and Brandon University. In 1974 she married Richard Howey (1924-2004) and the couple farmed near Harding, Manitoba. In 1989 the couple retired to Brandon. She wrote the history of Lyleton and c-edited with her husband in 1981 Home to Harding. She was also the founder of the Assiniboine Historical Society. Source: Memorable Manitobans. online (accessed 2022)

née Townsend. Born January 1, 1815, East Farnham, Lower Canada (now Quebec). Died August 24, 1899, South Stukely, Quebec. She married Henry W. Day (died 1854) and the couple, who would have six children, settled at first in Sainte-Therese and later in Chambly, Quebec. Catherine moved with her children to Champlain, New York, U.S.A. where she taught in a school of young ladies. In 1861 she published a novel, Alice Maynard and returned home to the Eastern Townships of Quebec.  A well known area historian she would write the Pioneers of the Eastern Townships (Montreal, 1863) and History of the Eastern Townships (Montreal, 1869). She relocated to live with her daughter in Iowa and returned yet again to the Eastern Townships to live with another daughter. Source  C. M. (Catherine Matilda) Day Fonds, Eastern Townships Archives online  (accessed2024)

Cora Alida de Jong Greenaway

Born July 4, 1921, Medan, Indonesia. Died February 2, 2017, The Hague, The Netherlands. Cora's senior schooling, which was in Italy and The Netherlands, was interrupted in World War ll when Cora became an active member o the Dutch resistance to the Germans, taking many dangerous assignments. She and her husband Major William Greenaway settled in Nova Scotia where the journalist/broadcaster took an active interest in preserving the history of her adopted home province. She discovered the "Croscup Painted Parlour” the finest sample of decorative decor painting and spent 20 years fighting for its preservation. It is now housed in the National Gallery of Canada. It was one of many preservation projects that she would touch. In 1959 she spearheaded the first Heritage Trust in Canada and paved the path for the formation of Heritage Canada in 1973. She is a welcome lecturer through the International Committee of sites and Monuments. In 1995 she received the Order of Canada which was followed by numerous additional awards including the Cultural Life Award and the Order of Nova Scotia. She has received honourary degrees from St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Mount St. Vincent University and the Dartmouth Heritage Award. She was honoured with the silver medal from the Royal Society of Arts of the United Kingdom as well as the Canada 125 medal and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. In 2006 she received the Order of Nova Scotia.  Sources.  Order of Nova Scotia (accessed August 12, 2008.); Canadian Who’s Who 2006 (2021)

Born March 6, 1920, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died March 12, 2011, Ottawa, Ontario. A child of an English father and Métis mother, Olive was raised in the remote Northern Manitoba woods. Completing  her high school via correspondence, she continued and received her B.A. at Notre Dame College, Wilcox, Saskatchewan. She became a journalist and a reporter, working her way to women’s editor for the Montreal Gazette and the Toronto Globe and Mail. At 50 years of age, with her three daughters grown, she returned to academic studies earning a Master's of Arts and then in 1977 her Doctorate Degree (PhD) in history. She then became a professor and scholar, and is considered one of Canada’s foremost historians contributing greatly to understanding of Aboriginal and Métis peoples. The prestigious work Canada’s First Nations: a history of founding peoples was in its 4th edition in 2009. In 1996 she became a member of the Order of Canada and in 1997 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in 1977.In 2021 Darren Prefontaine published Changing Canadian History: The Life and Works of Olive Patricia Dickason.  Source: Personal knowledge also Obituary, The Ottawa Citizen March 2011. (2021).

née Ridout. Born September 29, 1844, Toronto, Ontario. Died September 29, 1910, London, United Kingdom. She became Lady Edgar upon her marriage to Sir James David Edgar (1841-1899) a lawyer, writer , and politician who was knighted in 1898. The couple had nine children. She was the patron of the Toronto Infants home, the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.) and the Women's Art Association of Canada (W A A C). She also served as President of the National Council of Women in Canada in 1898. After the death of her husband she went into mourning for a year and by 1900 she was active in women's caused for better education and the right to vote. By 1906 she had become a life member of the National Council of Women and was elected president. She was re-elected President in 1909. Tillie  was on her own a well established historian who would pen such works as: Ten Years of Upper Canada, in Peace and War (Toronto, 1904) and A Colonial Governor in Maryland which was published after her death. The Women's Canadian Historical Society, co-founded by Tillie in 1895,  published a sketch of her life in 1914. A granddaughter, Maud McLean, co-authored a biography of Tillie and James Edgar entitled: My Dearest Wife: the Private and Public Lives of James David Edgar and Matilda Ridout Edgar, (Dundurn Press, 1998) 

Marie studied at Victoria College and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. As Chief Curator of History 1973-1992, she added significant historic houses to the Nova Scotia Museum. She also located and worked to repatriate important artifacts, paintings, and documents from England, Scotland and the United States. She was an instructor at the Nova Scotia College of Art where she willingly shared her knowledge of ceramics. Marie catalogued and published the King’s College Weldon Collection, one of the oldest collections of ceramics in Canada and a catalogue of the contents of Government House in Nova Scotia. She served as president of the American Ceramic Circle of the Metropolitan Museum, New York City, New York, U.S.A. She published The Egyptian Album of John Elliot Wolford: Original Watercolours, (2009). This collection resides at the National Gallery of Canada. She also served as a Research Associate of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Source: Protocol Office – Order of Nova Scotia Past Recipients, 2012. Online (accessed March 2013) 2024

Georgiana 'Gina' Danielle Feldberg

Born April 30, 1956, Calcutta, India. Died Toronto, Ontario, July 10, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. Gina's father’s job took the family to multiple homes. They moved to England, New York, U.S.A., Brazil, Switzerland, and Belgium. For her university studies she chose Harvard University and graduated in 1989 with a Doctorate (PhD) in the history of Science. She married Robert Vipond, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, and the couple had one daughter. Gina was passionate about the social aspect of health and heath care. She felt strongly that in order to move forward you had to first know the complete history. The social effects on tuberculosis was one of her long term studies. She taught at York University, Toronto, where she headed the Centre for Health Studies. In 1994 along with some colleagues she published Take Care: Warning Signals for Canada’s Health Care System. The following year she published Disease and Class. Source: “Researcher Studied how Class Differences Influence health-care Policy” by Ron Csllag. The Globe and Mail. July 23, 2010 (2021)

née McArthur. Born June 2, 1921, London, Ontario. Died December 23, 2011, Burlington, Ontario. She graduated from Havergal College and earned her Master’s in Food Science at the University of Toronto (U of T). She had a passion for history and he unflagging documenting of local history resulted in a provincial award for outstanding achievement in volunteerism. She supported the Burlington Historical Society and the Joseph Brant Museum. She was a driving force leading to the purchase of the Historical Ireland House and other historic buildings many of which currently bear historical plaques. She received the Woman of the Year Award from the University Women’s Club and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. She also received the Zonta ll founders Award. She was named Burlington’s Citizen of the Year in 1984 for her work in documenting and preserving local history. She married Duncan Dewar Fraser and the couple had four children. Source: Obituary,  Globe and Mail, December 26, 2011 Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa Ontario. (2021)

née Sadler. Born 1917?, Strathmore, Alberta. Died July, 31, 2014, Calgary Alberta. Margaret had just begun her career as a hairdresser when in 1941 she enlisted in the Canadian Women's Army Corps in November 1941. During World War ll (1939-1945) she was posted at Currie Barracks until the late fall of 1944 when she was sent overseas to drive for the Canadian Military Headquarters in London, England where she drove through the 'V' bomb raids. Returning to Canada after the war she joined the Calgary Police Force in February 1946 as one of Calgary's first policewomen. In 1961 she left the force to marry I. Gordon 'Gobbo' Gilkes, a Sargeant on the police force, and became a step mother to his four children. In 1975 she co-authored with Marilyn Symons the book Calgary's Finest: A History of the City Police Force. She also published Soldier Girl in 1986. IN 1989 her next book was Ladies of the Night which was a memoir of her police career. She was also known for her writings on local history. Some of her manuscripts and photographs are maintained at the Glenbow Archives in Alberta. Source: Glenbow Archives Margaret Gilkes fonds. online (accessed 2023); Obituary, online (accessed 2023)

née Adams. Born June 28, 1938, Montreal, Quebec. Died July 11, 2020, Peterborough, Ontario. Shelagh completed her Nursing studies at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), London, Ontario. She married Jon Grand and the couple had three children. Her love of history took her to earn an undergraduate degree in history followed by a Master's Degree and then courses in Toronto in at the International Affairs Program at the University of Toronto. She worked as a research associate at Trent University's School for the Study of Canada. She became an internationally acclaimed expert on the Arctic writing and giving lectures throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Russia. She was an active volunteer as Director of Wildlife and Forest Issues with the Pointe au Baril Islander's Association and chair of the Canadian Northern Studies Trust. She has been editor of various reviews and co-editor for Federalism in Canada and Australia published in 1989. Her writings garnered her recognition from the Writer's Trust of Canada and the Canadian Historical Association, . She won the Lionel Gelber Prize for the best English Language book on global affairs, the J. W. Dafoe Book Prize for Non fiction tat contributed to the understanding of Canada and its place in the world, the Lela Common Award from the Canadian Author's Association for Canadian History. Her book, Mittimatalik: History of Pond Inlet  was translated into Inuktitut. In 1997 she received the Northern Science Award and was the first woman historian to earn this medal. In 2011 she was appointed Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the following year she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Award. In 2015 she was awarded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (R C G S) H M S Erebus Medal and the Canadian Governor General's Polar medal.  In 2017 she received the R C G S Bernier Medal.  The family has established the Shelagh Grant Endowment in Canadian Studies at Trent University. Source: Obituary, Dignity Memorial. Online (accessed 2021)

Born 1948, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Charlotte studied at Oxford University in England and received her BA in 1969. She followed this with a diploma of Social Administration from the London School of Economics in 1970. In 1978 she was presented with the Packenham Award for the most promising young woman journalist. In 1979 she moved to Canada. Before becoming a full time book author she wrote for several Canadian Magazines including Saturday Night where she penned a monthly column on  the Canadian political scene. She has published several books including biographies on some of Canada leading female figures in history, Catherine Parr Trail, Susanna Moodie and Pauline Johnston. She is also well known  for her Canadian history works which have been presented in award winning works in the 'popular' history writing style. She is an Adjunct Research Professor at the Department of History at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

née Gordon. Born 1908, Huntley, Prince Edward Island. Died September 28, 1980, Alberton, Prince Edward Island. Alice's father died when she was young and her mother attempted to continue to raise the family on the farm. In 1926 the family moved to Alberton, P. E. I. By 1931 Alice had graduated from the Prince County Hospital School o Nursing. She worked as a private nurse for a couple of years and then returned to school hoping to enter missionary work. She attended the United Church Training School in Toronto and then served at a small mission hospital in the Ukrainian community of Ethelbert, Manitoba. In Gypsumville she was in charge of a nursing hospital which did not have a doctor. She even helped out as undertaker. During the Second World War she kept in touch with locals who were serving in the armed forces. Alice returned to P. E. I. to care for her ill mother and On August 26, 1948, she married Arthur C. Green, (died 1959) a local tailor. After the death of her husband she continued in her role as stepmother to his three children and took off his coal business until 1967. The following year she returned to nursing as supervisor of the Maplewood Manor. Devoted to her church she was the first woman elected to the Session of Alberton Congregation of the United Church of Canada. She also served as president of the Women's Missionary Society (W M S) and was active with the United Church Women. She was also active with the local Women's Institute where she served as president at various times from 1948 through 1977. She was co-author of the Alberton Women's Institute: the First Fifty Years 1927-1977.  In 1949 she became Red Cross Convener and remained in the position for twenty years being called 'Mrs. Red Cross'. She was paramount in establishing the Red Cross Blood Drive Clinic and the Swimming and Safety Classes. She was also president of the Alberton branch of the Association of Retarded Children. In 1950 she became a correspondent with the Guardian newspaper. In 1974 she published A Historical Sketch of Prince County Exhibition at Alberton and in 1980 she completed Footprints on the Sands of Time: A History of Alberton. The Prince Edward Island Archives houses some of her papers. Source: Prince Edward Island Archives online (accessed 2022); Find a grave Canada online (accessed 2024)

Francess Georgina Halpenny

Born May 27, 1919, Ottawa, Ontario. Died December 25, 2017, Toronto, Ontario. Francess graduated with an Masters of Arts from the University of Toronto (U of T) and joined the U of T press as an editor in 1941. In 1942 she served with the Royal Canadian Air Forces serving as a meteorological observer in the Canadian Maritimes. She returned to work at the U of T Press after the war. In 1972 she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Library Science at the University of Toronto.  General editor of the Dictionary of National Biography (D C B/D B C) from 1969 to 1988. She oversaw the completion of ten volumes of the D C B covering more than 5,00 biographies. She authored numerous articles on editing, publication and biography in various professional journals. She received the Molson Prize in 1983 from the Canada Council for her distinguished contribution to Canadian heritage.  She was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1984.  Francess was an associate fellow of Massey College and a member of the Canadian Historical Society, Canadian Library Association, Committee for the Advancement of Women in Scholarship, the Heliconian Club, and the University Alumnae Dramatic Club. She was a gifted actor and a playwright. A few months before her death she penned her autobiography: A World of Words. (2021)

née Schwartz. Born December 5, 1887, Storoznetz, Austria. Died August 8, 1975, Regina, Saskatchewan. The Schwartz family immigrated to Canada in the early 1900's and settled in Lipton, Assiniboia (now Saskatchewan). Clara became the wife of Israel Hoffer(1887-1956) in November 1909 and the couple had six children. The Hoffers were one of the founding families of the Jewish farming colony of Sonnenfeld, Saskatchewan. The couple were outstanding farmers and community leaders with Israel being appointed Justice of the Peace in 1912 for the Souris Valley Region. The book, Land of Hope, published in 1960 was written by Clara and her daughter F. H. Kahan. It is a creative non-fiction account of The Hoffer's journey to Canada and their life homesteading in southern Saskatchewan up until the end of the drought. In 1974 the book Township Twenty-five: West of 2^nd Meridian, Rage 13,, Section 10 was published by the Saskatchewan Department of Culture and Youth. Some of the Hoffer family documents, including Clara’s manuscripts of her books, are maintained in the collections of the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. Source: Finding Aid no 979, M G 30, C126, online, Library and Archives Canada (accessed 2024); Find a Grave Canada online (accessed 2024); Hoffer, Clara, Canadian Jewish History Network, online (accessed 2024) .

Born April 13,1899, St Mary's, Ontario. Died January 10, 1972, Toronto, Ontario. Married in 1921, Mary earned her Bachelor of arts from the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. in 1918. Mary married  noted scholar H. A. Innis (1894-1952) in the spring of 1921. The couple had four children. Throughout their marriage she would type and edit the historical writings of her husband. She had a strong and well established career of her own as an economic historian, writer of novels, short stories, and poetry. She wrote a history of the Y M C A, an economic history of Canada, and edited Essays in Canadian Economic History. During her career she researched and edited several books about women including a scholarly edition of Mrs. Simcoe's Diary by Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe (1752-1850), wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, She also presided as Dean of Women at University College, part of the University of Toronto from 1955 through 1964. She published over eighty short stories, and a novel as well as her historical books.  (2024)

Margaret 'Polly' Wade Labarge

née Wade. Born July 18, 1916, New York City, New York, U.S.A. Died August 31, 2009, Ottawa, Ontario. As a child Polly's family moved to the countryside of New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.A. because the country was better for her poor eyesight. She was also not allowed to read very much so she snuck books and outside at night. Polly graduated from Radcliffe College at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. and Oxford University in England specializing in English Medieval history. While at Oxford she met a Canadian law student, Raymond Labarge, and after their marriage the couple settled in Canada to raise two daughters and two sons. She taught at the University of Ottawa and then at Carleton University, Ottawa. Poly was also an active volunteer with nurses and with the elderly. In 1982 she was appointed to the Order of Canada. From 1984 to 1993 she served on the Board of Governors at Carleton University. In 1988 she became a Fellow in the Royal Society of Canada. During her career she would publish nine books mainly on the lives of medieval woman. In 1993 she served as the 1st president of the Canadian Society of Medievalists. The Society presents an annual Prize in her honour. (2020)

Born Brookville, Ontario. The daughter of a history teacher she grew up with a passion for the past. Kathryn earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, and her Doctoral Degree (PhD) from Ohio State University, U.S.A. She is an assistant professor of Aboriginal/Native-Newcomer History at the University of Saskatchewan. She is the author of Dispersed But Not Destroyed; a History of 17th Century Wendat People published by the University of British Columbia Press in 2013. This book earned the Canadian Studies Network Book prize in 2014 and the following year it was the winner of the John A. Ewers Award from the Western History Association. She is working on a project Daughters of Aataentsic on Wendat/Huron women whose stories need to be preserved for future generations. (2021)

née Taylor. Born October 13, 1919. Died May 22, 1989, Cantley, Quebec. Eirene married Trevellyn McClelland (1911-1978) and became a farmers wife and mother. In 1941 she became secretary treasurer of the local protestant school board. It was at a time when one-room school houses were closing for lack of available teachers. Eirene fought to have roads widened to allow a new school bus pick up students and take them into school in Hull (Now Gatineau) Soon the Western Quebec School Board was established. Eirene  was also a local historian who wrote article for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. While researching for history articles she soon found she had enough information for a complete history of the local St. Andrew's United Church, the first detailed history of Cantley, and histories of the local protestant schools. Eirene also played the church organ for services for 30 years. * Birth sometime recorded as 1909 Source: Notable Women of the Gatineau Valley and the Outaouais. online (accessed 2022); Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2022)

Born February 1890, Gilead, Maine, U.S.A. Died August 17, 1970, Newcastle, New Brunswick. At three she moved with her family to the Miramiche area of New Brunswick. Always a smart person she was able to read by the time she was 4 years old. She attended McGill University, Montreal, Quebec and earned her B.A.  in 1913. Returning to the Maritimes she taught at her previous school, Halifax Ladies College.  When her father became ill she decided to return home to the Miramiche and worked at her father’s business. She enjoyed history and spent time not only enjoying badminton and tennis but also researching and gathering local historical information and stories. In later years she would publish several local history books from her work. Max Aiken, Lord Beaverbrook asked her in 1947 to collect and record songs of the lumbermen and fishermen of the Miramiche. With funds from Lord Beaverbrook she established the Old Manse Library in Newcastle and continued her work. She published the Songs of the Miramiche but continued to collect additional folk songs. From 1947 through 1965 she shared her findings on C K M R Radio with weekly broadcasts and also a weekly newspaper column “Scenes from Early Days. In 1957 she founded the Miramiche Folksong Festival which she directed until 1969. She worked closely with rebound folklorist Helen Creighton. In 1967 she was presented with the Woman of the Century from the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. In 1969 Mount Manny was named in her honour in the New Brunswick Historian’s range. In 1974, for the 75 Anniversary celebration of the town of Newcastle a plaque was erected on the Old manse Library in her honour. Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia Online (accessed June 2013 ; Louise Manny by Donna Herriman, Miramiche Literacy Writers, 1985, Online. (accessed Jun 2013). Louise Manny, New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia Online (accessed June 2013). (2021).

Born 1892. Died December 8,1975. Katharine was a member of a wealthy well connected family who vacationed on land called Petersfield near the 18th century Cape Breton Fortress Louisbourg. She served as a nurse’s aid in World War 1, first in France 1916-1918 and then in Germany in 1919. She inherited her passion for the great Fortress of Louisbourg from her father. She established a museum, personally collected artifacts relating to the Fortress and constructed a scale model of the Fortress with its town site. She lobbied for federal recognition for the ruins so that the Fortress could take its rightful place in historical landmarks. She spent a great deal of time piecing together pieces of chinaware found in the Louisbourg archeological digs. In 1935 she was honoured with the King’s Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1940 the Federal Government raised the status of the Fortress to a National Historic Site/Park Katharine worked in support of the Red Cross in WW ll establishing a blood donor clinic and making prisoner of war parcels to the troops. In 1946 she was earned the Red Cross Award of Merit. She continued to encourage recognition of local history and in 1958 the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire in Louisburg placed a plaque to honour General Wolfe’s landing in Nova Scotia. She was also a member of the Regional Cape Breton Library Board and when the Sydney Library burned in 1959 she was a main force in collections development of the new library and even donated land to build the new library. In the 1960’s the government began restoration of the great fortress and Katherine was a permanent knowledgeable volunteer. In 1971 she was granted an honourary degree from St. Francis Xavier University and was called the First Lady of Louisburg. In 1972 she was invested with the Order of Canada. Sources: The McLennan’s Cape Breton Regional Library  (accessed December 2011) : Heroes of Historical Preservation, Canada’s History June/July (2021); Find a grave online Accessed 2024)

Born 1870, Collingwood, Ontario. Died July 10, 1960. Edith Louise enjoyed history and through her published works she shared her love and knowledge of the subject with the youth of Canada. She wrote numerous books including: Where the Buffalo Roamed; the story of the Canadian West (Toronto, 1908) ; Birds of Pease Marsh (Toronto, 1919); The Story of Canada (Toronto,1919 rev. 1927)); The History of the County of Grey (Owen Sound,1931) and With the Birds (Toronto,1935).  (2021)

née Allsebrook. Where there was no room for her to attend high school she took correspondence courses for grades nine and ten before finally attending Kaslo High School. Naomi  wanted to be a nurse and attended the University of British Columbia (U B C) before training a Vancouver General Hospital. She returned to U B C to earn her Bachelor Degree in Nursing in 1951. Upon graduation she was head nurse at the Tuberculosis Willow Chest Centre. In 1953 she married Peter Miller (died 2009) and became a mother of five girls and a boy. The family moved numerous times from Saskatoon, then Edmonton, and Sarnia, Ontario for two years. while in Salmo, British Columbia, Naomi was supportive of her daughters and became a Girl Guide leader and stayed with guiding for 26 years including later on in the Trefoil Guild. While in Golden, British Columbia she became interested in local history. 1986-1987 she was vice-president of the British Columbia Historical Federation and president the following year. She became editor of the British Columbia Historical News, a post she worked at for ten years. Later researching and writing Fort Steele-Gold Rush to Boom Town. During the 1990'sshe was a member of the BC Heritage Minister's Advisory Committee and was director  of the BC Heritage Trust. In 1999 she became a Honorary Life Member of the Kootenay Lake Historical Society.  For her work writing biographies of nurses from around British Columbia she was named an Honorary Life Member of the BC Nursing Society. From 2011 to 2013 Naomi was a trustee on the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District. In 2017 she was recognized a the Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area R. Volunteer of the Year.  Source: Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association Newsletter Spring 2019; History's Historian: The Story of Naomi Miller by Nowell Berg e-know online (accessed 2024) .

Born December 28, 1947. Died October 23, 2021, Woodstock, Ontario. Wendy was a pioneering women’s historian. Wendy earned her Doctorate at York University, Toronto.  She went on to hold academic positions at Mount St. Vincent University, Halifax ,Nova Scotia the University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario and the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario,  where she held the Canada Research Chair in Gender and Medical History from 2006 to 2013. In the early 1970’s she married Rex Lingwood with who she share a lifelong loving relationship. Wendy twice received the Jason A. Hannah medal for her books on medical history. Together with Alison Prentice, Paula Bourne, Gail Cuthbert Brandt, Beth Light and Naomi Black, she wrote Canadian Women: A History, the first comprehensive study of women in Canada allowing her to earn a Y W C A Woman of Distinction Award. She was also the author of numerous articles and edited, co-edited and contributed essays to numerous books. She served as  scholar in residence at the Rockefeller Study Center in Bellagio, Italy in 1996, the Valparaiso Foundation in Mojácar, Spain in 1998, and the Bogliasco Foundation in Bogliasco, Italy in 2007. She ended her career as a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of Waterloo. Wendy was a dedicated, supportive, and much-loved supervisor and mentor to scores of graduate students who established distinguished careers both within and outside the academy. In 2013 the University of Waterloo awarded  an award of excellence in graduate supervision. Source: Obituary  (2021)

née Taylor. Born December 2, 1918, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Died January 8, 2004, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Marjorie married Frank Hauns Morell (1897-1965) and the couple had one son. A local historian, Marjorie Taylor Morell penned the book Of Mines and Men which told the history of the Minto Queen's company in the Central New Brunswick town of Minto. In 1995 she received a United Nations Community Service Award. Source: Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2022)

Born February 2, 1929, London, Ontario. Died April 23, 2020, Niagara Falls, Ontario. The family relocated to Hamilton, Ontario. Wilma married Lorne Morrison (died 2001) in 1955 the couple settled in the Niagara area of Ontario. Wilma was a member of the Nathaniel Dett Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church. When her church was threatened to be sold and destroyed she began a preservation project. Black settlers had been in the area for over 200 years and this building was testament to their history. In 2000 the Church was declared a National Historic Site. With is status the structure was restored. Wilma was not only dedicated to preservation of Black history but she also had a deep interest in heritage and genealogy. She was a frequent guest speak and schools and community groups. She served in the volunteer capacity as Site Manager at the Norval Johnson Heritage Library beginning in 1991. She also was a strong supporter of the establishment of the Niagara Freedom Trail Tour which was established in 1994 to introduce visitors aware of Black Niagara history. In 1997 she received the Paul Harris Rotary Club Award and the Ontario Human Rights Award. In 2000 she received the Christie Holland Award of Merit which was followed the next year with the George Siebel Award for Preservation of Black History. The Ontario Ministry of culture and Citizenship awarded her the Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario. In 2002 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal. In 2005 she earned the Uncrowned Queens Culture Keeper Award for Preservation from the Uncrowned Queens Institute of Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. She was the first Canadian woman to receive this award. Source: Obituary Online (accessed 2023); Uncrowned Community Builders online (accessed 2023)  (2024)

Doris Priscilla Haslem

née Muncey. Born July 20, 1905, Central Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. Died May 7, 2000, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Married Reginald Heber Haslem (1900-1971) in 1945. A local historian Doris wrote the book, The Wrights of Bedeque in 1978. She was also co-editor of An Island Refuge: Loyalists and Disbanded Troops published in 1983.  Doris was a member of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada. Some of the family photographs and papers are maintained in the Prince Edward Island Archives. Source: Outstanding Women of Prince Edward Island , Zonta Club of P E I, 1981 book; Haslam, Doris Muncey, Archives P E I online (accessed 2018);:Find a grave Canada online  Accessed 2018)

née Smith. Born July 8, 1934, Delaware, U.S.A.. Died June 25, 2021, Victoria, British Columbia. In 1939 Alison immigrated with her family to Canada. In 1953 she took an educational trip to Switzerland prior and returned to graduate from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1955.  She went on to earn a Masters from the University of Toronto (U of T) teaching afterward at Bishop Strachan School and Harbord School in Toronto. She married Jim Prentice (died 2028) and the couple had two sons. She would earn a Doctorate degree from the U of T in 1974. In 1959 she took out her Canadian citizenship. From 1972 through 1975 she taught at Atkinson College, York University, Toronto where she developed and taught one of Canada's firs postsecondary courses in women's history. Alison's doctoral paper would become her first book, The School Promoters: Education and Social Class in Mid- nineteenth Century Upper Canada.  In 1983 she was the founder and first director of the Centre for Women's Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (O I S I E). In 1988 she published the first university level textbook in Canadian women's history; Canadian Women: A History which came out in a second edition in 1996. In all she authored, co-authored, contributed and / or edited over 30 books as well as providing countless lectures, seminars and talks. In 1986 she earned the Founder's Prize  for best women's studies article, and the following year she received the Hilda Neatby Prize for best article in Canadian women's History. In 1992 she earned the Founder's Prize for best anthology on the history of education in Canada. That same year she was recognized for her work with Susan Houston with the Canadian Association for Foundations in Education's Book prize for Schooling and Scholars in Nineteenth Century Ontario. In 1998 she became Professor Emeritus when she retired from the University of Toronto and that same years she became a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. The Ontario Historical Society created the Alison Prentice Prize for the best book in women's history. In 2013 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. In 2020 she published, Adventures With Jim, a memoir created from a collection of letters and journal entries from her late  husband. In the late spring of 2021 Alison chose to dies through medical assistance in dying (M A I D). Many of her papers are maintained in the University of Toronto Archives. Source: Obituary: The Globe and Mail August 5, 2021)

Born March 24, 1929, Sainte Foy, Quebec. Died May 24, 2010, Sainte Foy, Quebec. Marianna entered the Sisters of Charity of Halifax in 1952. She began her teaching career in Nova Scotia and in the New England area of the United States. She eventually settled in Quebec City teaching at St. Patrick's High School. She took over time courses that led to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. She continued her education earning a Master's Degree from the University of Ottawa. Coming from an Irish-Quebec background she developed an interest in the Irish of Quebec and their history. In 1973 she visited the historic immigrant station on Grosse Isle and found it is a sad state of disrepair. Her grandfather had designed the famous Celtic Cross on the island and she felt drawn to have the historic site recognized by the Canadian government. She founded Irish Heritage Quebec in 1973 and she served as President until 2009. In the 1980's she founded Carraig Books. She also started a committee for the designation of Grosse Isle which became and formal historic site in 1984 and in 1988 a National Historic Site of Canada. In 1997 she pushed for a series of Quebec City events called Irish Summer. She also authored books and article on Irish-Canadian History. The Canadian Association for Irish Studies established an annual lecture named in her honour. In 1998 she was inducted into the National Order of Quebec and in 2002 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. She received in 1999 the G. E. Clerk Award fro the Canadian Catholic Association.  In 2008 she was a member of the organizing committee for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. Just a while before her death she had been Grand Marshal to the first St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held in Quebec City in 80 years! (2019)

Margaret Anchoretta Ormsby

Born June 7, 1909, Quesnel, British Columbia. Died November 2, 1996, Vernon, British Columbia. Margaret did her university studies in both Canada and the United States. She returned to teach history at the University of British Columbia where she was appointed head of the history department from 1965 to 1974. She produced several works which enlighten readers on the history of British Columbia. She was a major contributor to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. She would also serve as President of the Canadian Historical Association. She was a member of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. (2021)

née MacKinnon. Born June 7, 1911, Coleman, Prince Edward Island. Died December 23, 1978, Eileen attended Mount Allison Ladies College. In 1935 she married Willard Oulton and for several years they settled in Westmount, Quebec before returning to live in Alberton, P.E. I. In 1965 she opened the Alberton Museum in her barn and it became one of the finest small museums in Eastern Canada. In 1967 a Board of Governors assumed responsibility for the museum and Eileen continued to run the museum until her death. She was also a founding member of the Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation which was incorporated in 1970 and she was appointed to the first board of directors where she served until 1975. She became a life member of the Heritage Foundation and later received its award of honour. In 1977 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Medal. Eileen was also and active member in her church and in the local Women's Institute. As a correspondent for the Journal Pioneer newspaper she wrote about the local history. Her genealogical and historical papers are maintained at the Archives of Prince Edward Island. Source: Archives of Prince Edward Island online (accessed 2022)

Born April 28, 1944, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1965 Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor degree from Carleton University in Ottawa. Two years later she married Philip Pacey.  Interested in architectural history she became an active advocate for the older buildings and historic sites. in her home province. She helped preserve landmarks such as the Halifax Public Gardens and the Old Town Clock.  In 1988 she published Historic Halifax and her efforts garnered her the Environment Canada’s Parks Heritage Award. In 1991 she earned the Heritage Canada Medal for outstanding contributions to conservation. That same year she took on the position of Research Director for the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia. In 1993 she was presented with the Gabrielle Leger Medal from Heritage Canada. In 1994 her book : Landmarks; Historic Buildings of Nova Scotia was winner of the Richardson Award from the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia. In 2000 her work Miracle on Brunswick Street chronicled the stories of two local historic churches. May 4, 2006 she was invested as a member of the Order of Canada. (2021)

Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Arts from McGill University, Montreal, and then relocated to Toronto earning her Master's and her Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Toronto (U of T). She is an Associate Professor at York University, Toronto. She has written numerous chapters for Canadian history books as well as numerous journal and magazine articles about Aboriginals and the early fur trade in North America. In 2001 she published Making the Voyageur World: Travelers and Traders in the North American Fur Trade; : Dissenting the Renaissance: Canada and Europe in Multidisciplinary Perspective. She co-authored with Laura Peers the book, Gathering Places: Aboriginal and Fur Trade Histories. published by the University of British Columbia Press in 2010. She is also the editor of the book; Contours of a People; Métis Family Mobility and History, published in 2012. (2021)

née Potter. Born February 6, 1917, Saskatchewan. Died February 9, 1992, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Sally attended Saskatoon Normal School (teacher's college) and for the four years after graduation taught in various locations in rural Saskatchewan. On October 15, 1946 she married James E. Clubb. The couple had three children. In 1966 she published Saskatoon: The Serenity and the Surge. In 1973 she co-wrote Saskatoon's Historic Buildings and Sites which spurred provincial legislation protecting the provinces architectural legacy. In 1982 she penned Our Story: 75 years of Caring: St. Paul's Hospital. Sally was also a welcome contributor to various publications. She continued teaching and also served as a library assistant at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan, online (accessed 2022)

Born January 23, 1921, Stratford, Ontario. Died January 12, 2013, Vancouver, British Columbia. Margaret graduated first from the University of Manitoba where she first became active in the Student Christian Movement. She earned her Doctorate (PhD) in History form the University of Toronto. From 1957 through 1986 she taught as a professor of Canadian History at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She would raise two daughters. In 1969 she became on of the 1st single women in British Columbia to adopt a child and she became a pioneer and innovator in developing a new concept of family which did not necessarily include a husband. With Walter Young she founded the Journal of British Columbia Studies and served as editor for some time. In 1975 she was awarded the UBC Medal for popular biography for her work N.W. Rowell: Ontario nationalist. In 1976/1977 she served as president of the Canadian Historical Society. After her retirement she published A Heart at Leisure From Itself; Caroline Macdonald of Japan. In 2012 she was the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Sources: Lois M. Wilson, I want to be in that number; cool saints I have known. (Self published, 2014) ; Obituary,  Vancouver Sun January 18, 2013. (2021)

Died 1985, North Buxton, Ontario. Arlie served as the secretary of the Raleight Township Historical Society for many years. She was the curator of the Raleigh Township Centennial Museum and researched the Black settlement in Elgin. Through her research she published Legacy to Buxton.  She also wrote the History of the Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction. She served as a Grand Conductor of the Order of the Eastern Star of Ontario. In 1968 she was presented with a Canada Centennial Medal for her contribution to the preservation of history. Arlie was also an Accomplished artist who exhibited her works locally. The Arlie Robbins Research Library at the Buxton Museum has been named in her honour. Source Some Black Women by Rella Braithwaite and Tessa Benn-Ireland , Toronto Sister Vision Press, 1993.

née Murphy. Born 1877, Carleton, County, Ontario. Died August 23, 1956. She obtained her Masters at Queen's University in 1901. In 1904 she married professor O. D. Skelton, one of Canada's foremost writers of history. She is largely overshadowed by the shadow of the work of her husband. She was the first historian to treat women of Canadian history as individuals in their own right instead of their being part of a generalized coverage. Her works also promoted and portrayed Canada a strong independent country separate from British colonialism. The works and lives of these historians are covered in Marriage of minds: Isabel and Oscar Skelton, Reinventing Canada. by Terry Crowley (Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2003) (2021)

née Johnson. Born May 11, 1925, Colchester South, Ontario. Died April 4, 2014, Windsor, Ontario. Betty married Melvin 'Mac' Simpson (1916-1982) and the couple had one child. Betty worked at the Windsor Hotel Dieu General Hospital as an E E G technician from 1961-1986. Her avocation however was local Black history. She and Mac were involved in 1964 with the planning of a Centennial Museum on Black history. The sod was turned on the building of the museum during the Canadian Centennial in 1967. The museum was granted a charter in 1975 and the dream came true on September 20, 1981 when the museum was finally opened. Betty was on the Board of Directors  and was also a member of the Emancipation Day Committee.  In 1993 she was presented with the Canada 125 medal. (2023)

née Biss. Born August 28, 1907, Standerton, Transvaal, South Africa.  Died December 16, 1998, Ottawa, Ontario. Irene studied at the London School of Economics in England in 1924/5 and earned her graduate degree in economics at Gorton College, University of Cambridge, England in 1928. She earned her Master's degree from Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Her academic teaching career began when she joined the Department of Political Economy at the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1929. In 1938 she married Graham Spry (1900-1983), a Canadian broadcasting pioneer, business executive, diplomat and socialist. The couple had three children. The published works of of Irene on the Palliser Expedition of 1857-1860 are definitive studies. During the second world war she served on the Wartime Prices and Trade Board and the Commodity Prices Stabilization Corporation in Ottawa. In the late 1940's she co-founded with her husband Saskatchewan House in England where Graham Spry was serving as Agent-General for Saskatchewan in London from 1946 through 1967.  She represented the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada at the Associated Country Women from 1954 to 1967 and was their executive chairman 1959 to 1965. She was a fervent supporter of Canada and of a social democratic approach to public policy. Returning to Canada in 1967 she taught at the University of Saskatchewan and in 1968 at the University of Ottawa. She formally retired in 1973  but becoming professor emeritus and continuing to teach until the early 1980's. She was giving lectures as late as 1995. She was named an Officer in the Order of Canada in 1993. Failing eyesight did not keep her from almost daily studies at the National Archives of Canada where she could be seen using a large magnifying glass in order to read documents. Sources: Canadian Encyclopedia; personal knowledge. (2021)

née Stovel. Born January 27, 1875, Toronto, Ontario. Died April 12,1952, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Margaret graduated from the University of Toronto in 1898. She began a career as a journalist working in Detroit but relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1910. In 1913 she she was active in the Winnipeg University Women's Club and was a delegate to the International Federation of University Women in 1921 held in Paris, France. By 1922 she was serving as president of the Canadian Federation of University Women. She also sat on boards concerning social welfare and was the only woman council member of the University of Manitoba. In 1923 she wrote Women of Red River. In 1928 she published Manitoba Milestones and followed this up in 1931 with If I Were King of Canada. In 1930 she was a delegate to an International Labour Organization conference. In 1933 she was elected as the second Winnipeg Alderman and served until 1940. She became president of the Manitoba Historical Society for four years and in 1948 published This New Canada. She Married Roland Fairbairn McWilliams (1874-1957) who would become Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba. In 1955 the Manitoba Historical Society commissioned the Margaret McWilliams Award, an annual literary award. Source: Manitoba History: Margaret McWilliams and Her Social Gospel; the Formation of an Interwar Feminist by Mary Kinnear Manitoba History No 22 Autumn 1991 online (accessed 2022)

Evelyn Robson Strahlendorf

Born April 23, 1931 Hamilton, Ontario. September 28, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. In 1951 Evelyn married engineer Carl Peter Strahlendorf (1928)-2004). The couple had a family of four children. After living in Montreal the couple settled in Ottawa in 1971. Evelyn worked in the Cataloguing Department of the National Library of Canada. Her passion was doll collecting and over the years she not only gathered a large collection of Canadian dolls but she also amassed an enormous amount of research on Canadian dolls. The couple traveled across the country gathering information with Carl taking photographs of Canadian dolls not in Evelyn’s own collection. In 1996 the University of Toronto Press published Evelyn’s book, Dolls of Canada: a Reference Guide. It remains the best and most complete guide to Canadian dolls. In 1999 the couple retired to Hamilton, Ontario. Evelyn was back in Ottawa the next year to see the fruits of her labours in encouraging the Canadian Museum of Civilization to create a display of Canadian Dolls. Collectors came from all over to see the largest display of Canadian Dolls produced to date. Evelyn still maintains a small portion of her collection in her home but many of her dolls have been donated to the Bowmanville Museum which maintains the largest privately owned collection of Canadian dolls in the country. In the 1990’s Evelyn promoted the art of doll collecting through her own doll production company, Distinctive Dolls of Canada, which produced short run artistic dolls of such historical characters as Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and Olympic medal winner Elizabeth Manley. She was an executive member of the Canadian Doll Guild and edited for a time:  Doll Creators: A Canadian Doll Guild Publication. She produced by herself the Canadian Doll Journal  (Ottawa, Booklore Publishing) from 1994-1998. Source :Personal  Interview with Evelyn Strahlendorf. (August 2012); Obituary, Ottawa Citizen 2019.  (2021)

Born 1931, Ottawa, Ontario. Died March 21, 2014, Ottawa, Ontario. In 1968 Barbara began her long career as an archivist with the Public/National Archives of Canada (Now Library and Archives Canada) She was in fact a model archivist who had a true knowledge and was deeply committed to the records for which she was responsible. She was always willing to share her knowledge with researchers in her field of Canadian military history. Well before the era of technology she researched and compiled the Guide to Records Relating to the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. She published the Military General Service 1783-1814 (Canadian Recipients) (London, Spink, 1975) and followed it with Ontario and the First World War (Toronto, Champlain Society/University of Toronto, 1977) In 1987 she co-authored with Charles p. Stacey (1906-1989) The Half Million, which showed the impact of the Canadian troops on the lives of people in the United Kingdom during World War ll. After her retirement from the National Archives Barbara could be found volunteering at the Archives of the Canadian War Museum.  Source: Obituary Legacy Obituaries Online (accessed April 2014); Personal acquaintance knowledge. (2024)

Ester Isabelle Clark-Wright       

Born May 4, 1895, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Died June 17, 1990. Ester attended Acadia University in Wolfville Nova Scotia where she enjoyed the atmosphere of the small university and successfully participated in the active women’s sports program. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in 1916. In that same year she published her first work Public Opinion which was followed in 1918 by The Challenge to Canadian Womanhood. In 1919 she became the first woman in the province to become a Pastor in the Baptist Church. She continued her studies at the University of Toronto, Oxford University, England, Stratford University, U.S.A. and at Radcliffe, Harvard University where she earned her Doctorate (PHD) in 1931. While she enjoyed her studies she found all the universities outside of her home province were at that era very male oriented. On July 31, 1924 she married Conrad Payling Wright, a marriage that lasted 65 years. From 1943-1947 she lectured at Acadia University. She served as president of the New Brunswick Association of Consumers and would also serve as vice president of the National Council of Women and Vice President of the Canadian Federation of University Women. She was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1987. Acadia University has names their University Archives in her honour. Source: Herstory: The Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006. Saskatoon, Coteau Books, 2005.;Esther Isabelle (Clark) Wright, The New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia, online (accessed 2024)

née MacPhail. Born March 26, 1924, Hornepayne, Ontario. Died September 8, 2022, Toronto, Ontario. Madge grew up in Capreol, Ontario, near Sudbury. In 1955 she married Wally Bruce, an electrical engineer, and the couple settled in New Brunswick before relocating to Toronto. After their two children had grown in the late 1970's, Madge earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto (U of T). She went on to earn her Master's in Library Sciences from U of T. She worked at the U of T Seneca College and at Scarborough Grace Hospital as a librarian. Madge was also a decade long library volunteer at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. A life long learner she attended lectures at Gendron College, Toronto, well into her 90's. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2023)

Dorothy Shaver Ashbridge -Bullen

Born May 20, 1905, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Died April 3, 1997, Toronto, Ontario. After graduating with her Bachelor Degree from the University of Toronto (u of T). She went on to earn her Bachelor of Library Science from U of T, and began working in a library.  She would work for almost 40 years at Toronto Public Libraries. When she began her professional career, it was the norm for women not to work after her marriage. Dorothy waited until after her retirement to marry. Her family home in Toronto was situated on land settled in 1794 by an United Empire Loyalist Quaker widow, Sarah Ashbridge, with five children. The home was left to Dorothy and her sister Betty Burton (1907-2002) who in turn left the Ashbridge family home to the Ontario Heritage Trust. In 2008 the house was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. The Ashbridges are the only family in Toronto in history of the city to have continuously occupy land they had settled more than 200 years previously. (2021)

Born December 9, 1916, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 22, 2008, Montreal, Quebec. In 1934 she graduated with four medals from Outremont’s Strathcona Academy. In 1938 she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Classics from McGill University, Montreal, and her post graduate Bachelor of Library Science from McGill in 1939. In 1956 she returned to the University of Toronto for her Masters in Library Science. She worked, at the beginning of her career ,as a reference librarian at the Medical Library at McGill university until 1949. She then moved to teaching at McGill University Library School as a teaching assistant, lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor and professor before become Director, Graduate School of Library Science at McGill in 1972 through 1976. From 1982 to 2008 she held the title of professor emeriti. She also served the academic community through the Senate at McGill and membership in the Canadian Library Association and Quebec Library Association. Her specialties were library science education, reference service and bibliography. She had high standards and organized her courses with contemporary materials making her a role model for generations to come. Source: Effie Constance Astbury. Biography collection Ex Libris Association online (accessed November 2011)  (2021)

Born 1942, Montreal Quebec. Died September 2005, Toronto, Ontario. Ethel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Boston, Massauchetts, U.S.A. and went on to Simmons College in Boston, to earn her Masters in Library Science. She began her career as a high school librarian  before moving to the Toronto Board of Education and the Ontario Institute of Education and then she was a professor with the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto. She served as Chair of the Committee on Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Information and was an elected member of the University of Toronto Governing Council. She received the Miles Blackwell Award for Outstanding Academic Librarian from the Canadian Association of Colleges and University Libraries. Her research and publications was in the area of Library and information education, online searching and management of bibliographical retrieval services as well as the administrative problems and academic libraries. Source: Ethel Weiss Auster Biography collection  Ex Libris Association online (accessed November 2011) (2021)

née Schoales. Born December 25, 1918, Londonderry, Ireland. Died December 24, 2011, Denman Island. She graduated from Sheffield University in 1939 and went on to Library School. During the War she worked as a librarian and information officer at Signals Research and Development Establishment Christchurch Hampshire. It was here she met and married Royal Canadian Corp of Signals officer Nicholas Balke. In 1945 she came to Canada with her two young children. She worked as a free lance writer and broadcaster for the C B C and various newspapers. She earned the Memorial Award from the Canadian Women’s Press Club in 1956. Later she worked as a reference librarian at Ottawa Public Library before becoming Chief Librarian of the National Gallery of Canada from 1964-1979. She was a founding member and chairman of the Art Library Committee of the Canadian Library Association. She and her husband retired to Nanoose, British Columbia where she was active with the local peace group. She received the Commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation. Source: Obituary Ottawa Citizen January 21, 2012. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born 1904, Toronto, Ontario. Died April 1991, Toronto, Ontario. Katherine earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1926 at the University of Toronto (U of T). From 1928 she worked in the Circulation and Reference Department of the Library at the University of Toronto. In 1942 to 1945 she served in the Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. By the end of the war she had achieved the rank of Squadron Officer with the position of Staff officer in the RCAF Women’s Division, with no. 6 Canadian Bomber Group. After the war she returned to catalogue at the University of Toronto Library  and obtained her Bachelor of Library Science in 1947. Becoming in 1951 an Assistant Professor at the Library School she worked her way to full professor from 1964-1970. She was professor Emeritus 1970-1991. In the 1950’s and 1960’s she was a member of the Advisory Board for Cataloguing Code Revision with the American Library Association. In 1961 she was the Official Delegate from the Canadian Library Association to the International Conference of Cataloguing Principles in Paris, France. She also worked for additional committees concerning cataloguing for the Canadian Library Association and the American Library Association. In 1967 she received the Government of Canada Centennial Medal. She was the first Canadian to be awarded the American Library Association Margaret Mann Citation in Cataloguing and Classification for distinguished service to librarianship. In 1968/9 she was President of the Canadian Library Association and served as well as Chair, of the Cataloguing and Classification Section of C L A. Source: Katherine Lucy Ball Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011) (2021)

Born October 9, 1913, Sault Ste. Marie de Beauce, Quebec. Died July 28, 2005, Ottawa, Ontario. Educated at the convent de la Congregation de Notre Dame she studied Spanish and German at Laval University in the 1950’s and earned a Bachelor of Library Science at Ottawa University. She married Robert Bastien in 1940 but was soon separated and divorced and  moving to Ottawa in  1944 to work at the French Embassy where her knowledge of French and German languages was helpful in the war effort. In January 1954 she worked at the Library of Parliament and served as private secretary to Guy Sylvester, the future National Librarian. In 1977 she was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Source: Ottawa Citizen “Remembering” August 7, 2005. (2021)

Born 1896, Westhoughton, England. Died January 1956, Rhyl, Wales, United Kingdom. In 1917 she earned her Bachelor of Arts in history at Manchester and in 1929 she received her Diploma in Librarianship from Pratt. She also earned her Masters in History in 1933 from McGill University in Montreal. In 1920 she became a teacher in Compton, Quebec, but soon moved on to become a Library Clerk at the Library of the Ontario Legislature in Toronto. By 1929 she was a reference librarian at the University of British Columbia returning to McGill University she became a Professor at the Library School in 1932. From here she moved to Prince Edward Island as a Director. She worked for a short time at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore returning to the Canadian Maritimes as Director of Libraries in Nova Scotia from 1938-1945. Off to Detroit as Director of Home Reading Department she travelled further in 1947 as a senior Lecturer at the New Zealand Library School and from 1948-1953 she served as Acting Director and Director of the New Zealand Library School. Her work in Prince Edward Island established more than 20 public Libraries from 1933-1936. She had an enduring passion for adult education which no doubt drew her to working in Library Schools around the globe. During WW ll she was  seconded to the Canadian Legion Education Service to establish libraries for armed forces personnel in the Atlantic command. She was an active member of the committee set up to investigate the establishment of a national library association for Canada which led to the Canadian Library Association being formed. Source: Nora Bateman Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011) (2021)

née Armstrong. Born January 22, 1925, Hartford Connecticut, U.S.A. Died February 28, 2008, Waterloo, Ontario. While doing her studies she worked a teacher in Blind River, Ontario Margaret studied at Waterloo College (now Wilfred Laurier University), Waterloo, Ontario, and went on to  graduate work in Library Science at the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1949.Her first professional job was as Children's Librarian, Galt Public Library in Ontario. She married Arthur Kenneth Beckman (1920-2002) in 1950 and the couple had three children. Pregnant with her first child she worked cataloguing books hiding in the basement of the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) library, London, Ontario. In this era pregnant employees were to be fired. In 1966 she was working as systems librarian at the University of Guelph. She would return to U of T when the master’s program was introduced and earn a Master of Library Science (MLS), in 1969. Her career  back at Guelph saw become Head Librarian in 1971, the only woman chief librarian in an Ontario university at this time. She became internationally respected for her world in library management, automation and building design. She convinced committees and boards that librarians were a valuable and knowledgeable resource when it came to input for building modern library facilities. She saw automation as a valuable path for the future of libraries and led the way. She worked with architects on a new library building and pursued her vision of an automated library system despite critics who believed automation was nothing more than an 'expensive toy'. During her career she spoke and published widely acting as a consultant in the design of libraries throughout Canada and the world. She was the first Canadian and first woman to receive an honourary professorship form the University of Essen Germany and the first Canadian to receive the American Academic Librarian of the Year Award. She served on a number of provincial, national and international library bodies as member, advisor or on the executive. In 1975 she was recognized as one of the top 25 outstanding women of Ontario. In 1986 she was she was the first Canadian to Librarian of the Year with the Associan of Colleges and Research Libraries. The following year she was presented with an Award of Merit from the Ontario College and University Library Association. In 1991 the University of Western Ontario Established the Margaret Beckman Gold Medal in Library and Information Science for the highest academic student standing.   In 2007 she was honored by the City of Waterloo for her leadership contributions.  Source: Celebrating Women’s Achievements – Margaret Beckman. Library and Archives Canada (accessed May 2008); Special info & musings for Ottawa IM Professionals 2008-03-03 (accessed May 2008); Obituary online (accessed 2024); Ex Libris Association Margaret Armstrong Beckman online (accessed 2024)  Personal acquaintance. 

Mary Evelyn 'Molly' Cameron

Died January 22, 2012, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Saskatchewan and her post graduate Bachelor of Library Science at the University of Toronto. In 1935 she was appointed Librarian at Regina College, cataloguing and setting up the library when it was a junior college before it was taken over by the University of Saskatchewan. In 1941 she was appointed first assistant cataloguer at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, U.S.A. By 1944 she had returned to Canada as Chief Librarian at the Galt Public Library in Ontario. In 1950 became the first Chief Librarian of Halifax Memorial Library which became in 1954, the Halifax City Regional Library. After she retired she served as a part-time consultant on Public Libraries for the Nova Scotia Provincial Library.  She retired in 1974 leaving the new North Branch Library, tow bookmobiles and an extension of the main library building in progress. In 1975, when she was past president, she received the Merit Award of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association for outstanding contribution to library service in the Atlantic Provinces. She joined the Canadian Library Association as a founding member in 1946 and was elected twice to serve on council.  Source: Alvin M. Schrader, PhD. Director of Research, University of Alberta Libraries. (2021)

Margaret Ridley
Charlton

Born December 10, 1858, Laprairie, Canada East. (now Ontario). Died May 1, 1931, Montreal, Quebec. Christened Margaret Anne Charlton she changed her middle name to Ridley to honour a 1555 in martyred family ancestor. As a young woman she and her friend Charlotte Fraser wrote children’s books including A wonder web of stories, the 1st book of fairy tales to be published in Canada. She later completed a summer course at Amherst College in Massachusetts, U.S.A. in the new field of librarianship. She joined the McGill Medical Library in Montreal in 1895 and a year later was appointed 1st assistant Librarian, a position she retained until 1914. She is considered probably the 1st person with formal library training at McGill University. She relocated to Toronto and served as librarian of the Academy of Medicine. By 1922 she was living back in Montreal with her sisters. May 2, 1898, along with help of Dr. William Osler, she helped for the Association of Medical Librarians centered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. She served as Secretary to the group from inception until 1903 and again from 1909 to 1911 when it was remained the Medical Library Association. She wrote a series of articles exploring the medical history of New France from 1608 to 1759. In 2003 as a result of a recommendation from the Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada she was named a “Person of National Historic Significance. A Government of Canada plaque honoring her accomplishments was erected outside of the McIntire Medical Sciences Building, McGill University. Source: Margaret Ridley Charlton (1858-1931) News Releases and Backgrounders. Parks Canada. 2006 (Modified 2013) Online (accessed May 2014) (2021)

née Schneider. Born February 15, 1936, Osgood, Indiana, U.S.A. Died June 7, 2008, Toronto, Ontario. Valedictorian in high school, she became the first family member to attend university. In the 1950’s she was told not to become an academic only to marry and have children. Marry she did, to Noel Parry, June 1958.  While she followed her husband around the country for jobs, they had two sons. However the moving and good mothering did not stop the fire for more. Library work was an acceptable job for young women. She earned a Maters Degree in Library Science. By the mid 1960’s  she had followed her draft dodging partner, Mike Cheda, to Canada. In Toronto, she settled to work at Seneca College. She also wrote  feminist articles in publications like Chatelaine. In 1972, at the Canadian Library Association, she made a presentation entitled That Little Mechanism, referring to the fact that male librarians got most of the library management jobs. Along with Phyllis Yaffe and Barbara Clubb she worked producing The Emergency Librarian to continue the empowerment of women librarians. She worked endlessly to form the Canadian Periodical Publishers Association. She was also developed the Ontario Ministry of Culture’s publishing policy. She continued writing. The New Feminist movement of the 1970’s had been well established and nourished by her efforts. She also found time to marry Karl Jaffrary and enjoyed being a grandmother. After retirement she worked with the administration of the Ex Libris Association for retired librarians. Suggested sources Obituaries in both the online editions of the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star (accessed June 2008) (2021)

Born February 27, 1927. Died July 9, 2023, Toronto, Ontario. Margaret, also know as Muggsie or Spike  earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto (UofT) and went on to earn Bachelor of Library Science in 1949. She was librarian and teacher of cataloguing at the University of Toronto School of Library Science until 1964. She returned to university and earned her Masters of Library Science and became a full-time instructor at the School of Library Science in 1964. She was active in the administration of the School as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean and as Associate Dean in 1984 through 1987.  She was a expert in both cataloguing theory and in using new techniques in the application of classifications systems as libraries transitioned from traditional service to technology services. She retired in 1992 and became Professor Emerita. Upon her retirement a multimedia interactive electronic classroom for teaching, student use, and continuing education was equipped in the Bissell Building of the Faculty of Information in her honour.  Source: Obituary  online (accessed 2023)

Marie Arzélie Éva Circé-Côté

Born 1929?, Trinidad, West Indies. Rita had always wanted to be a librarian and studied Library sciences in New York, U.S.A. By 1960 she was living in Canada and working as a children's librarian. In 1972 she became Head of the Parkdale Branch of Toronto Public Library. Rita would pioneer the Black Heritage and West Indian Resource Collection which would be named in her honour. In 1976 she founded the Parkdale Community Information Centre. She established Project Read in 1977 in Parkdale which is a community adult literacy program. She would also sit on the steering committee for both the Parkdale Activity-Recreating Centre and the Parkdale Health Centre. She established 'Cumbayah' a successful festival of Black heritage and storytelling. She, herself was  renowned internationally for her storytelling. She was the author of an children's book: How Trouble Made the Monkey Eat Pepper. She retired from the library in 1995. She was appointed as a Citizenship Judge by the Canadian Government. In 1996 she was presented the Canadian Library Association Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award. In 1997 she was appointed to the Order of Canada. The Rita Cox Park is located on Machells Ave in Toronto. The Dr. Rita Cox - Kina Minagok Public School  was renamed in her honour in 2023. (2024)

Julia Annette Elizabeth Dafoe

Born October 22, 1900, Montreal, Quebec. Died April 25, 1960, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Elizabeth and her family relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1901. Elizabeth earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in 1923 and earned her Library degree from the Library School of the New York Public Library (Later the Library School of Columbia University in New York City) U.S.A. She also studied at the Graduate School at the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Elizabeth returned to the University of Manitoba in 1925 to work as a Librarian  In 1937 she was appointed Head Librarian at the university. She was a member of the Canadian Library Council Inc., of the Canadian Library Association and chaired the Association's conference in 1955 as President. In addition, she served as a member of the National Library Advisory Board, and was a strong supporter of the need for the National Library in Canada which was founded in 1953 opened in 1967 (now Library and Archives Canada). She served on the Manitoba Library Board and was a founding member of the Manitoba Library Association. The Elizabeth Dafoe Library, build in 1953,  is the University of Manitoba's largest library. (2019)

Born August 15, 1889, Montreal, Quebec. Died January 21, 1968, Montreal, Quebec. Marie-Claire at just 17 was working for the Bibliothéque de Montréal.  Her love of history allowed her, in 1917, to became the first woman member of the Société historique de Montreal. In 1919 she published a book about the Catholic orphanage in Montreal. She went on to university and  earned her Bachelor of Library Science from McGill University, Montreal, in 1920 when she jointed the library staff at the Bibliothéque municipale de Montréal, as an assistant librarian until 1943.  In 1924 she earned the Prix David for her historical novel Adventures de Perrine et Charlot. Ten years later she received the Prix de L'Académie française and a second Prix David for Jeanne-Mance, 1906-1673, which may have helped raise the status of Jeanne Mance as a co-founder of the City of Montreal.  From 1930 through 1941 she served as head of cataloguing. In 1937 she and Aegidius Fauteux (1876-1941) founded Ecole de bibliothèquaires at the Université de Montréal, a French language library school, where she served as chair for several years. In 1943 she was one of the founders of the Association canadienne des bibliothèquaires de langue française. in 1943, for three years, she hosed a weekly Radio-Canada program of historical sketches. She also contributed articles to various periodicals including the Revue d'histoire de L'Amerique Française, La bonne parole, L'Oiseau bleu, and L'Action Française. Source: Creative Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Twentieth Century and Performing Artists Vol. 1. (Toronto & Buffalo: University of Toronto, 1971.

Born 1952. Died April 20, 2022, Halifax, Nova Scotia. By 1980 Marie held a graduate Masters in Library Science from Dalhousie School of Information Management (S I M). She managed libraries at the Nova Scotia Departments of Justice and Labour prior to working at the Nova Scotia Community College and as University Librarian at Saint Mary's University in Halifax for ten years. She retired in 2018. Dedicated to her profession she was always willing to give her time and energy to her professional associations. She served as Novanet Chair twice and Chair of the Canadian Association of University Librarians (C A U L-C B U A). She also served twice as president of the S I M Associated Alumni. She was instrumental in revision the standards for the Canadian College Libraries when she was a member of the Canadian Technical and College Library Standards Committee at C A U L. She would also serve on the executive of the Canadian Library Association for four four years including as president. She was awarded the Norman Horrocks Award for Library Leadership from the Nova Scotia Library Association (N S L A). Source: Obituary The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, (accessed April 2022)

Born March 31, 1914, St. John's, Newfoundland. Died January 8, 1987, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 1936 was a milestone year as Marie Delores became Sister Francis Dolores Donnelly of the Sisters of Charity - Halifax and graduated from Mount St Vincent College in Halifax with her Bachelor of Arts Degree. By 1940 Sister Francis had earned her Bachelor of Library  from Mount St. Vincent College. For the next ten years she served at Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, doing pioneering work in adult education, and with school and children's libraries. from 1941 through 1950 she was Librarian and Director of Adult Education founding the Antigonish Movement. From 1950 through 1957 she was Assistant Librarian, Mount St Vincent College. In 1954 she attended the University of Toronto (U of T) to earn her Master's Degree in Library Science. In 1957 through 1958 she was Chief Librarian and in 1966 she became University Librarian at St. Vincent which was now upgraded to University status. By 1971 she had earned her Doctorate in Library Science from the U niversity of Illinois in the U.S.A. Upon graduation she became an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Library Science at the U of T  from 1976 to 1982 she was a full Professor at the Faculty of Library and Information Science at U of T. Retiring in 1982 she served as Professor Emerita until 1987. During her career she had written numerous articles, papers,  and books in the library field. She was a member and board member of the Canadian Library association, the Institute of Professional Librarians of Ontario the American Library Association and the Journal of Library History. Source: Francis Dolores Donnelly, Ex Libris Association, online (accessed 2024); Frances Dolores Donnelly, Sisters of Chairity 175 Sisters, online (accessed 2024)

Born May 29, 1881, Harrison, Ontario. Died June 21, 1957, Kitchener, Ontario. Bertha attended Normal School (teacher’s college) and taught from 1898 to 1904 saving enough funds to allow her to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree  at the University of Toronto U of T). She then earned a post graduate degree in Library Science at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. In 1908 she was appointed to the position of Chief Librarian at the Kitchener Public Library (K P L), a position she retained until her retirement in 1944. She  may have bee the 1st female trained Librarian in Canada. She established the children’s section at the K P L and founded the Waterloo County Co-operative Library Association. She also established a picture collection at K P L, the 1st of its kind in Ontario. In 1920-21 she served as President of the Ontario Library Association. In 1922 she helped found the University Women’s Club and served at president. She also was president of the Canadian Club. She was appointed  the 1st instructor-in-charge of the Ontario Provincial Library Summer courses which helped small town library workers earn certificates of learning. She also had an avid interest in history and served as president of the Waterloo Historical Society. In 1926 she published a well respected history: Trail of the Conestoga. It was the first of her five books. In 1931 she became the 1st lecturer in Library Science at Waterloo College (now Wilfrid Laurier University). She lectured in this position for 13 years. Sources: Guide to Literary Heritage of Waterloo and Wellington Ontario Counties. 1985: Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Online (accessed July 2014) (2021)

Born October 3,1940, Sarnia, Ontario Died September 7, 2005, Ottawa, Ontario. Attending both the University of Victoria and the University of Toronto she earned her BA in 1962. In 1963 she worked at the Dalhousie University Library and served as a Reference Librarian at Sir George Williams University while she earned her Masters in Library Science at McGill University in 1967. In 1969 she began her love of working with serials by working as Head of the Serials Department first at Carleton University, Ottawa and then at the Library at the University of Waterloo In 1974 she moved to the National Library of Canada as Director of the Cataloguing Branch. She would hold various positions at the National Library before moving as Assistant Director General, Government Records Branch, and National Archives of Canada from 1988-2000. She was an active member in the Canadian Library Association, the American Library Association, the American Society for Information Science, the International Federation of Library Associations (I F L A) and International Serials Datasystems (I S D S) In retirement she enjoyed membership in the Zonta Club of Ottawa and hosed foreign students in her home introducing them to life in Canada. Sources: Cynthia Jean Durance Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011) : Personal Knowledge (2021)

Born June 7, 1943, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1964 she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba and follow it with a Bachelor of Library Science from the University of British Columbia in 1966. She would pursue her avocation as an academic librarian for the next 32 years. Even though she was an university librarian she had an active interest in pre-college youth and developed library orientation programs for high school students. She earned the University of Manitoba’s President’s Award for University outreach and became the school’s 1st Librarian Emeritus after she retired.  After retirement she became involved in research Ukrainian Canadian history. Her research resulted in two books and 3 biographies. Source: Herstory 2008: A Canadian Women’s Calendar. (Coteau Books, 2007)

Born June 4, 1916, Port Williams, Nova Scotia.  Died October 15, 2004, Kentville, Nova Scotia. In high school Shirley had already decided to be a librarian and even received an award for her high school library work. She attended Acadia University for her undergraduate studies and took her library post graduate studies at Simmons College, Boston Massachusetts, U.S.A.  She worked in libraries in the New England area before returning to Nova Scotia to work in public libraries. In 1954 through 1982 she was appointed as the Provincial Legislative Librarian. She provided the legislators with efficient research library services. She even had the foresight to introduce modern devices such as the typewriter to the Legislative library! With a keen interest in history she left a legacy of a vast collection of historical documents for the province. When she retired she turned her energies and skills to working with several historical organizations and even powered the movement to turn Wolfville’s defunct railway station into a Pubic Library. She authored a half dozen books including the Nova Scotia Book of Days. In 2003 she received the Order of Nova Scotia. Source: Canadian Who’s Who (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000) pg. 396 and personal acquaintance knowledge.

Adèle de Guerry Languedoc

Born March 28,  1904 Tadoussac, Quebec. Died December 25, 1993, Ottawa, Ontario. Adèle completed her university studies at McGill and went on to earn Librarian's diploma in 1929. She began her career as a cataloguer at McGill University Libraries, Montreal and then worked with the McLennan Traveling Libraries where from 1940-1945 she was the program director. After World War ll she studied at Columbia University in New York for her Bachelor's degree in Librarianship. She left New York city to work in France where she helped rehabilitate war ravaged regional libraries and she also established the first children's library outside of Paris. She returned to Canada and worked in the early days of establishment of the National Library of Canada where, in 1964, she was appointed Assistant National Librarian. After retirement from the National Library she returned to her roots and worked part time cataloguing the historical  pamphlet collection of the National Archives of Canada. She had a fantastic sense of humor that she could express in both official languages and she brought a pride of professionalism and honesty of opinion in all that she accomplished. Source: Personal acquaintance. (2021); Ex Libris online (accessed 2024)

Born January 20,  1918, Auburn, Maine, U.S.A. Died May 22, 2005, Vancouver, British Columbia. Sheila loved to go to the public library in Galt, Ontario as a child. She read everything she could. At 15 she had a part-time job at the the library. While taking night classed to earn her university degree, she worked in the children's department at the Toronto Public Library. She continued her education at University College in London, England. When She returned to Toronto Public Libraries she came with the famous Osborne Collection or rare children's books and became the first curator of the collection. Her career would take her to work as a reference librarian as to work with the Canadian Library Association and a founding faculty member at the Library School at the University of British Columbia, but her love of children's books remained with her. In 1964 she was commissioned by the Children's Recreational Reading Council of Ontario to write the firs comprehensive study of Canadian children's boos in time for the Canada's Centennial: The Republic of Childhood (1967). In 1981 she published a children's book of her own, Thursday's Child. She has been presented with numerous awards honouring her career and the British Columbia Book Prize in Children's Literature is named in her honour. In 1994 she was awarded the Order of Canada. Her autobiography is entitled: My Life With Children's Books (2005). Source: Ex Libris On line  (2024)

Born January 27, 1927, Lindsay, Ontario. Died July 23, 2005, Toronto, Ontario. In the 1940's Edith studied at the University of Toronto (U of T) graduating with honours in modern history and a post graduate degree in library sciences. Upon graduation she worked as a reference librarian at the Toronto Public Library. In 1952 she was put in charge of the Treasure Room with rare books and manuscripts. At Toronto Public Library for some 30 years she would build the collection of 'treasures' into a major resource including books, manuscripts, broadsides/posters and other ephemera that is considered a basic research area for all early Canadian historians and writers. She would publish scholarly catalogues and listings of the collections which are considered historical resources of their own. She also produced a book: The Town of York 1793-1815 ( U of T Press/Champlain Society, 1962). She not only used materials at Toronto Public Library but she also scoured institutions throughout North America searching for early documentation on Toronto. In 1967 volume on further documents of early Toronto was also published. She took early retirement at age 55 and used her early retirement years to research and publish Toronto Art: 150 Years Through Artists Eyes (1983) winning the City of Toronto Book Award. (2021)

née Sutherland. Born 1907, Ontario. Died 1979, Ontario. Roberta married Ernest Nelson Gilbank (1905-1944) who died in military service in France. It is not known where or when Roberta studied library science but it may have been at the University of Toronto. She seems to have worked for a time at Owen Sound Public Library, Ontario. By the fall of 1951 she was working at the Regional Library System Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Back in Ontario, it is known that she taught library skills courses for the Ontario  Government of Education. It is known that some of these courses were for people working in small public libraries*. On  August 15, 1955 she was appointed as the first Chief Librarian of the newly formed Scarborough Public Libraries (now part of Toronto Public Libraries. She left this position in December 1963. From 1961 through to 1968 she kept records for the Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Ontario. By the late 1960's she was living and working in Guelph where she was the first archivist at the University of Guelph. She wrote Historical Notes on the Library at O. A. C. 1881-1958.  In 1969-1970 she was President of the Guelph Branch of Canadian Federation of University Women (C F U W). She was also involved with the Guelph Historical Society and wrote articles for  the Society newsletter. In 1978  she was a curator with the Annan Women's Institute Tweedsmuir History.  Source: *Personal knowledge"; correspondence with the Archives and Special Collections University of Guelph May 2013.

Born August 20, 1912, Spring Hill,  Nova Scotia. Died June 21,1981, Vancouver, British Columbia. Marion earned her Bachelor of Arts in history at Acadia University in 1932 and went on to do post graduated studies for her Masters' Degree at the University of Toronto. She worked for a time in the Nova Scotia Public Archives and at the same time completed her studies for a Bachelor of Library Science, Columbia University, New York City, U.S.A. in 1939 as a Carnegie Fellow. From 1941 through 1945 she served as president of the Maritime Library Association. Marion settled in Saskatchewan in 1946 becoming supervisor of the Saskatchewan Regional Libraries until 1963. She worked with establishing a regional  library system. With the new Regional Libraries Act for the province in her pocket she travel throughout the province. She worked with the Home and School Associations and other service club along with garnering support of local governments to champion public libraries. In 1948-1949 she was president of the Saskatchewan Library Association. In 1951 / 1952 she was president of the Canadian Library Association. In 1959 she completed graduate studies in librarianship at the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Well known for her hats, she was featured with her hat, in the 1961 National Film Board (N F B) film, Books for Beaver River. In 1963 she relocated to British Columbia to teach at the University of British Columbia's School of Librarianship. She bequeathed $200,000.00 and a painting to the Wapiti Regional Library in Saskatchewan. The Regional Library headquarters in Prince Albert were named in her honour in 1985. Her papers are maintained in the Archives, University of British Columbia. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan online (accessed 2022); University of British Columbia Archives online (accessed 2022); Biography, Ex Libris Association, Online (accessed 2022)

née MacPherson. Born 1943, Sydney, Nova Scotia.  As a child of seven she contracted tuberculosis meningitis and as a result of medical treatment she became deaf. She left her family at age 10 to attend the Halifax, Nova Scotia School for The Deaf living there as a residential student. Having already learned speech and having been able to hear, gave her an advantage.  An eager student, she quickly completed her regime of Three years of studies and returned to her Cape Breton home. Here, complete her schooling at MacCormack School, East Bay. She went on to graduate Holy Angels High School in Sydney, NS, and went on to St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where she had special arrangements to have note-takers.  She also worked hard to lip-read her professors’ classes. In 1965, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, majoring in Food and Nutrition. The Dean of Science wanted to announce her accomplishment on graduation day but was reluctant to call attention to her without advising her in advance so the opportunity to recognize her amazing accomplishment as the first deaf student to Graduate in Canada. It was not until 50 years later, in 2015, that her accomplishment was recognized. She subsequently obtained certification as a dietician in Toronto, Ontario, and then obtained her Masters in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . U.S.A.  Her working career has been spent as a librarian, research editor and Copy Editor. Submitted by Pamela Jane Barry, Nova Scotia. (2021)

née Hill. Boren October 7, 1935, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died October 9, 2019, Victoria, British Columbia. Anne would grow up in Nova Scotia living with an aunt after the death of her parents.  She attended Dalhousie University, Halifax, earning her Bachelor of Arts in history and married David Hart. The young couple would have three children. . She went on to ear her degree in Library Science from McGill University, Montreal. She worked as a librarian at the British Museum Library, the Dalhousie University Library, Queen's University Library and the Newfoundland Public Library gathering great experience in her chosen profession. In 1972 she was working as a librarian at Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1976 she was head of the Centre for Newfoundland Studies at the University where she help to expand substantially the book collection, establish an archives and helped create the Bibliography of Newfoundland. In 1986 she received the Library Trustees' Association Annual Merit Award. It was in the 1970's that she helped to establish the Status of Women's Council in St. John's. She also worked to have women's rights included in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She would serve on the Newfoundland Human Rights Council and its Human Rights Commission. She sought to help refugees brought from Vietnam  in the 1980's and later helping Syrian refugee families in British Columbia.  In the 1990's she published biographies of the literary characters of Agatha Christie as well as writing short stories and pomes. .  January 1, 1998 Anne retired from Memorial University and worked on a documentary CBC Radio program, Into Unknown Labrador: the Mina Hubbard Story. In 2005 she was inducted as a Member in the Order of Canada. She collaborated with Roberta Buchanan and Bryan Green to publish The Woman Who Mapped Labrador: The Life and Expedition Diary of Mina Hubbard in 2005. Source: Obituary.  online (accessed 2024)

née Stott. Born August 25, 1935. Died  December 5, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. Diane earned her Bachelor of Library Science in 1964 and would receive her Master’s of Library Science in 1967 from the University of Toronto (U of T). She began working in the catalogue section of the U of T library in 1964. She had originally joined the Faculty of Library and Information Science as a lecturer in 1969. Diane would serve for many years as the Chief Librarian of the Faculty at the University of Toronto from 1973 until retirement in 1996. Diane was co-author ) of Guide to Basic Reference Materials for Canadian Libraries, 4th edition, published in 1974. She continued her studies and received an Master’s of Business Administration from York University, Toronto, in 1979. In her later years, she dedicated her time to volunteering with the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Field Ornithologists, and Retired Academics and Librarians of the University of Toronto. Diane was a contributor to the National Library's publication by Claire England, Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery in Canada, Ottawa, 1983. Diane was contributor to the retired librarians publication ELAN special edition editor who wrote “University of Toronto Faculty of Information Studies” for ELAN's Summer 2004 special issue. As well, she compiled ELAN's regular column on “News from Canadian Library and Information Studies Schools“ between 2007-2016. She would also serve on the executive committee of the Retired Academics and Librarians of the University of Toronto (R A L U T) as treasurer and as vice-president. (2020)

Mary Tryhosa Kinley-Ingrham

née Kinley. March 6, 1874. Died November 18, 1949, Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. In 1899 Mary attended Acadia Ladies Seminary. In 1906 she married John Ingram. By 1909 she was a widow and taught for awhile in the U.S.A. Returning to Nova Scotia she studied as a mature student as Acadia University in Wolfville, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 1915 and her Master’s degree the following year. In 1917 she attended Simmons College School of Library Science in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. From 1917 through 1941 she was Chief Librarian at Acadia University and from 1918 through 1944 she was an instructor of Library Science at the university. In the early 1930’s she inaugurated bookmobile services for rural areas in the maritimes. She also published two volumes of verse and plays. That same periods she served as secretary-treasurer of the Maritime Library Association. Source: Find a Grave Canada (accessed 2021)

Catherine Mallory Knowles

née Rous. Born December 15, 1919, Toronto, Ontario. Died April 26, 2014, Victoria, British Columbia. In 1940 Catherine earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (U of T) and went on to achieve a post graduate degree in Library Science. During the second world war (1939-1945)Catherine worked in Ottawa for the federal War Time Information Bureau. In 1946-1947 she worked at Canada House in England. In 1947 she married Robert J. Moyse. The couple had three children. In the late 1950’s while in Calcutta, India, she worked with Mother Theresa. 1964/5 she worked for U N I C E F offices in Montreal. In the 1970’s she was working for the Montreal Star newspaper prior to relocating to Halifax to work at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. In 1978 she married a second time to Douglas W. Knowles (died1984) becoming mother to three step children. Source: Obituary. Globe & Mail May 3, 2014, Suggestion from June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario  (2021)

Born March 22, 1889. Died July 26, 1984, Sarnia, Ontario. Sadie earned her Library Degree from the University of Toronto Library School. In 1922 she began her 40 year career at the Sarnia Public Library. In 1933 she became in charge of the Children's Library and remained there until she retired in 1969. She had early training in children's librarianship with Lillian Smith (1887-1993) at Toronto Public Library. She used her training and her imagination to make innovations for her library including the formation of Story Hour in Ontario to encourage the imagination of children. In the 1920's, through to 1956, she was an active member, along with six other women, of the Sarnia Women's Conservation Art Association. The Association purchased painting and sketches of local artists including works from the famous Group of Seven. Monies for the purchase of the works of art were fueled through the collection of recyclable material, a habit the women had learned with the World War l (1914-1918) scrap drives. In 1950 many of the art works were donated to the Sarnia Library which would form the foundation of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia. The Sarnia Women Art Conservation Association folded in 1956. In 1955 the Quota Club of Sarnia named Sadie as Woman of the Year. Sadie served with both the Ontario Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. In 1967 she received the Canadian Centennial Medal. In 1982 the City of Sarnia declared March 22, Sadie Knowles Day. Source: The Sadie Knowles Story, The Young Canuckstorian Project, Lambton Archives online (accessed 2022)

Born October 22, 1914, Bridesville, British Columbia. Died November 3, 1973, Nova Scotia. Alberta earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Ontario, London, and her post graduate Bachelor of Library Science at the University of Toronto. She taught a “Librarians course in 1949 at Kitchener Public Library. And would become a lecturer at the School of Library Science in Toronto.  She worked as Children’s Librarian, London Public Library, and for  a short period worked at Warder Public Library in Springfield, Ohio, U.S.A. Moving to the Canadian Maritimes she was Assistant Director for the Nova Scotia Provincial Library and from 1954-1973 she was the Director of the N S P L. She was an active member of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association, serving as President 1967/8,  the Canadian Library Association, serving as president in 1958, the American Library Association and the International Federation of Library Associations.  In the late 1950’s she was a consultant on libraries to the Indian Government and served as a member of the delegation of Canadian librarians visiting West Germany as guests of the German Government. Dalhousie University, School of Librarianship ahs established the Alberta Letts Memorial Lecture and the Dalhousie University , School of Information Management has established the Alberta Letts Travel Award to ensure her memory is honoured for future generations.  Source: Alberta Letts Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011) (2024)

Born October 19, 1930, Brighton, England. Died February 13, 2012, Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a child  Pat survived bombings in Great Britain but mourned the loss of her teddy bear. She worked as an au pair (Nanny) in Carcassonne, France, and soon found herself on her way to Canada. She put herself though Sir George Williams University, Montreal and won the Governor General’s medal in English. She followed with graduate studies in Library Science at McGill University, Montreal. She married James Lotz in 1959. The couple had two daughters. The family moved across the country and even lived in Italy, Scotland before settling in Nova Scotia. In 1973 Pat was supervisor of inquiry officers at Information Canada until it closed in 1976. She joined Atlantic Insight as an editor. All the senior staff, Pat included, resigned in 1984 concerned that the new owners were treating ads as editorial material.  Pat enrolled in the Master of Theological Studies program at the Atlantic School of Theology graduating in 1995. When the family  moved into an old house known as Thordean, Pat researched the first owner James Forman and polished a book on his life in 2002. Source: Lives Lived by Jim Lotz The Globe and Mail May 17, 2012. Suggestion from June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born June 10, 1910, Montreal, Quebec. Died April 24, 1998, Ottawa, Ontario. Jean earned her Bachelor of Arts, in history, at McGill University, Montreal, and went on for her Master's Degree in 1934 followed by her Bachelor of Library Science in 1940 and her Doctorate (PhD) in History in 1942 at McGill. She began her working career as a cataloguer at McGill University Library from 1940-1946 after which she worked as Chief Librarian at the Fraser Institute in Montreal. In 1950 she worked as bibliographer and Editor of Canadiana at the Centre Bibliographic Centre in Ottawa. With the establishment of the National Library of Canada in 1952 she became Director of the Cataloguing Branch until 1973. For the last two years prior to retirement she was Director of the Office of Library Standards at the National Library. She was a prolific publisher in both Canadian history and in Library Science. She also participated in the development of the first edition of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. Another project of which she was extremely proud was the building of her own home. One of her retirement gifts was a skill saw to allow her to work on her home. Sources: Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011); personal knowledge  (2021)

Born December 19, 1945. Joanne earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Calgary in Alberta and went on to earn a Master of Library Science (M L S) from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. She worked as a Reference and Orientation Librarian at the University of Calgary for a year in 1968 prior to moving to work as a Librarian at the Health Sciences Library at McMaster University. She earned a second Masters degree, this time in Health Sciences from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario in 1978 prior to earning her PhD. from the University of Toronto in Public Health Sciences in 1987. Dr. Marshall is a librarian and professor at the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto. She also holds cross appointments with the Department of Health Administration at the Centre for Health Promotion and Institute for Human Development, Life Course and Aging. While librarians are often seen as holding a special contributive role in a community, Dr. Marshall has earned special recognition within her profession. She is the recipient of several awards including the Eliot Prize from the Medical Library Association and the Award of Outstanding Achievement from the Canadian Health Library Association.In 2001 she became a Fellow, Special Libraries Association and the following year a Fellow of the Medical Library Association.  Since July 1, 2004 she has been an Alumni Distinguished Professor at the University of Toronto. She served as President of the Medical Library Association 2004-2005. During her career she has authored numerous in depth professional journal articles and had published seven books in her field. (2021)

Born October 10, 1892, Fort à la Corne, North West Territories (now Saskatchewan). Died July 27, 1986, Saskatchewan. As a girl, Nan was tutored at home by her cousin. After the death of her mother she and her sister attended St. Alban's Ladies College in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She was nominated, and won,   an for a $200.00 entrance Scholarship to the University of Saskatchewan. While on campus She worked on the campus newspaper, the Sheaf, served as a member of the Student's Representative Council executive, was vice president of of Pente Kai Deka Sorority, and served as secretary of the Literary Society. She also enjoyed figure skating, ice hockey, and later as an alumni she joined various sports teams. She graduated in 1915 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in English and French. After graduation she began working at the university library as an assistant librarian working there until 1959. She was one of the founders of the University Alumni Association formed 1917 and she served as secretary-treasurer. During the flu epidemic of 1918 she worked as a volunteer nurse. She would take short courses in the U.S.A. to learn cataloguing of library collections. In 1933 she became the 'first assistant' at the Library a position she held for 31 years. After a hiking accident in 1944 she would walk with the aid of two canes.  Source: Annie Maude (Nan) Mckay. Aboriginal Research Resources, University of Saskatchewan Library online (accessed 2024) Suggestion submitted by K L Gunn.

Born 1902, Saint John’s , Newfoundland. Died 1965, Saint John’s, Newfoundland. Marjorie attended a summer library course at McGill University in 1935 and that same year was hired as second assistant librarian working at the Gosling Memorial Library which opened in 1936. In 1942 she was back studying for a Diploma of Library Studies at the University of Toronto. Marjorie would take more studies in 1951 at the University of British Columbia. She took the library to the radio with bedtime stories and talks of all kinds. She would eventually serve as Saint John’s Chief Librarian. She was vice president of the Maritime Library Association in 1957/8 and the Atlantic Provinces Library Association in 1964/5. She was also and active committee member with the Canadian Library Association. As well as her love and support of libraries she had an interest in collecting folksongs and traditional costumes and she was a welcome resource the National Museum’s folksong research program in Newfoundland. She was also active in her United Church and enjoyed writing articles for various publications including the Newfoundland Quarterly. In 1966 the City of Saint John’s named a library branch, the Marjorie Mews Library in her honour. Source: Giles, Suzette ‘Libraries named after Librarians in ELAN: Ex Libris Association Newsletter  No. 56 Fall 2014. (2021)

Born August 15, 1944, Berkley, California, U.S.A. Carole completed her under graduated her under graduate studies at Stanford University, California, U.S.A. in 1966 and her Masters At Columbia University, New York City, New York, U.S.A. in 1967. She began her library career in the reference Department at Columbia University and relocated to work at the University of Toronto in 1968. She worked in the U of T Reference Department, the bibliography and Processing Department before becoming Chief Librarian at U of T in 1986. In 1987 she received the Centenary Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987. In 2014 the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (C R K N) presented her with the Ron MacDonald Distinguished Service Award  She is a member of the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries. From 1991-4 she served on the National Library of Canada Advisory Board. Source: Canadian Who’s Who, 2006. (2021)

née Harrington. Born September 28, 1918, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died August 14, 2011, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Frances obtained her degree in home economics at the University of Saskatchewan before she married Rev. Harvey Morrison in 1939. Rev. Morrison died in 1943 leaving Frances a single mother of their son. She joined the staff of the Saskatoon Public Library as an assistant. In 1946 she went to Toronto to earn her Bachelor in Library Science. She returned to Saskatoon to serve as Children’s Librarian then Head of Reference before becoming assistant Chief Librarian. In 1961 she was named Chief Librarian a position she retained until retirement in 1980. She treated staff as family and was noted for her ability to delegate and draw the best from her staff. She created the audiovisual and fine arts departments, a local history room and enhanced programming. She was an active member in the Saskatchewan and Canadian Library Association where she served as president. She also served the public through the Saskatchewan Arts Board as chair, the Saskatchewan Business and Professional Women’s Club, the University Women’s Club, the YWCA, and the Saskatchewan Heritage Society. The Main Library she had build was named in her honour. In 1977 she received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and in 1981 the Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award of the Canadian Library Association. In 1982 the Saskatchewan Library Association established an Award in her honour. Source: “She turned the Saskatoon library into a regional force”  by Chris Ewing-Weiss, The Globe and Mail ,August 29, 2011. Suggested by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario (2022)

February 3, 1903, Tunapuna, Trinidad. Died July 6, 1997, Ottawa, Ontario. Elizabeth was the daughter of Canadian Missionaries. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She earned her teacher's license at the Truro Normal School in Nova Scotia and began her career teaching in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. After graduating from the Ontario Library School, Toronto, she began working cataloguing at the Toronto Public Library. By 1928 she was back in the Maritimes teaching school and helping set up a library at the Saint John Vocational School. She served as secretary for the New Brunswick Library Commission. By 1931 she was back in Toronto working in the reference department of Toronto Public Library. From 1936 through 1943 she served as secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Library Association. In 1944 she became executive secretary for the Canadian Library Council. She served as a founding director of the Canadian Library Association (C L A) and retained her position through to 1968.Following her retirement she published Librarianship in Canada 1946 to 1967. She pushed for the formation of a National Library of Canada and became the 1st editor of the Canadian Library Journal and Feliciter. In 1969 she earned her Master's in Library Science from the University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. and formed Elizabeth Morton and Associates consulting services. She would serve as a consultant for the National Library of Canada and in 1972 worked for U N E S C O to create a report on library services in Trinidad and Tobago which was published in 1974. In 1968 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1988 the Elizabeth Morton Memorial Fund was established by Feliciter magazine.  Elizabeth Morton is considered the best known librarian of her generation. In 1995 Elizabeth Hulse published: The Morton Yeas; the Canadian Library Association. (2022)

Born September 1911, Carbonear, Newfoundland. Died January 25, 2012, Toronto, Ontario. Alice's mother died giving Alice birth and the child she was brought up by her grandparents. At 18 it was recommended, by her school principal, that she attend university so she attended the University of Toronto. She graduated with a B.A. in 1933 and worked as a clerk fro a local hydro company in Barrie, Ontario. Moving back to Toronto, she took a job with the Library, University of Toronto. After working at the library for 22 years, her supervisor, felt that Alice could not be promoted any more without having the proper educational credentials. Alice returned to the classroom and obtained her degree in Library Science. In 1973 she was put in charge of moving the one million volume collection to the new Robarts Library! In 1977 she was awarded the University of Toronto’s 150th Anniversary Sesquicentennial Medal for her services to the institution. In the Sigmund Samuel Library (now the Gerstein Science Information Center)  the Alice Moulton Reading Room is a reminder of her contribution to the university and the students she served. Sources: “Alice Moulton dies at 100” Gerstein Science Information Center. Online. (accessed February 2012); “When lady librarians always wore skirts and you didn’t make noise “ by Judy Stoffman. Globe and Mail. February 20, 2012. Online (accessed February 2012). (2022)

Born June 20, 1921, Echo Bay, Ontario. Died May 15, 2010, Hamilton, Ontario. After Graduating from high school, she worked at the Public Library in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, from 1941-1951 in the Children’s Department. She moved to London Ontario to be Head of the Children’s Department at the Public Library until 1953. And then on to the Children’s Department at Leaside Public Library (now part of Toronto) In 1956  she was in Ottawa as Executive Assistant at the Canadian Library Association before moving to the Ontario Library Association as Supervisor of Extension Services and Education. It was during this time that she earned a Bachelor of Journalism in 1961 at Carleton University, Ottawa and her post graduate degree in Library Science at the University of Toronto (U of T) 1962. By 1970 she was at the Toronto College BiblioCentre. It was while working in Toronto that her works was recognized when she was names Librarian of the Year by the Ontario Library Trustees Association. For two years, 1972-1973, she served as Public Relations Director at the National Library of Canada. Leaving Ottawa she moved to St. Catharines where she served as Chief Librarian of the Public Library where she presided over the building of a new facility. She retired in 1983 but continued in the profession as a sectional lecturer at the University of British Columbia in 1983.  In 1986 St Catharines Y W C A named the recipient of the Award for Women in Business an Professions. Source: Biographies, Ex-Libris Association Online (accessed May 2013). Obituary, The Globe and Mail, May 18, 2010. (2021)

Born May 24, 1911, St John’s, Newfoundland. Died January 26, 1993, St John’s Newfoundland.  As a young woman it was acceptable that she could take a job in a library so she headed off to Toronto and in 1932 she earned her Diploma in Library Science. She returned to Newfoundland to work in St John’s to organize the founding of the 1st public library in the city. She was back to Toronto to earn her post graduate Bachelor in Library Science in 1940. She stayed to work at the Toronto Public Library and the Ontario Research Foundation and then back to Newfoundland to work at Memorial University in 1952. From 1964-1976 she was the founder and head of the Centre of Newfoundland Studies at Memorial. In 1986 she and Anne Alexander published the substantial work Bibliography of Newfoundland published by the University of Toronto Press. Her career garnered her numerous awards, including the Ontario Library Association Anniversary Prize in 1960, the Heritage Award from the Newfoundland Historical Association in 1977, the Atlantic Provinces Association Merit Award, and the Marie Tremaine Medal of the Bibliographical Society of Canada. Source: Ex Libris biographies online (accesses 2024) 

Vera Alexandra Robinson

Born 1897? . Died 1979. Vera studied law and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1920. She originally went into partnership with a another woman lawyer, Helen Currie. Later she became a law librarian with the Philips Stewart Library at Osgood Hall Law school in 1927. In 1928 she served as the 7th president of the Women’s Law Association. In 1930 she replaced law librarian Verona Taylor at the York County Law Library. In 1935 she married Henry L. Cartwright, a lawyer from Kingston, Ontario. She joined her husband as a partner in his law firm. Source: Diversifying the bar: Lawyers Make history. Law Society of Upper Canada Online. (2021)

Born November 4, 1945, London, Ontario. Died September 11, 2021, London, Ontario. Catherine earned her Bachelor degree at the University of Western Ontario, (U W O) London, Ontario. She continued her studies earning a Master's degree at the University or Toronto prior to returning to Western to earn he Doctorate. She has an interest in biography and has interviewed and written about such well known Canadians as Alice Munro (1931-1924), playwright James Rainey and children's authors Jean Little (1932-2020), Dennis Lee and Paulette Bourgeois (1951-  ). By 1996 she was acting Dean during the transition from Graduate School of Library and Information Science and the merger with the School of Journalism at U W O. She oversaw the installation of programs and created flexibility of faculty to work and learn across disciplines. 1996 was also the year she published ha children's book: Squares: in Shapes in Math, Science, and Nature which won the Science Writer's Award for the year. She has co-authored three editions of the book Commutation Professionally. In 2001 she became Dean of the Faculty of Information and Media Science at UWO (now Western University) Catherine Retired from teaching in 2010. In 2014 she published The Pleasures of Reading: a Booklover's Alphabet followed in 2018 with Reading Still Maters: What Research Reveals About Reading, Libraries and Community an update of a 2006 publication Reading Matters. (2019)

Born 1925, Estonia. Died December 14, 2022, Ottawa, Ontario. By 1948 Liana was a displaced person and had arrived in Montreal, Quebec. She worked as a chambermaid at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta from 1950-51. By 1953 she had earned her Bachelor of Library Science (B L S)  and worked as a library cataloguer at McGill university in Montreal. From 1961 through 1973 she was a lecturer and associate professor at the University of Montreal School of Library Science. While teaching she continued her own education  with studies in rare book librarianship at Columbia University, New York City, U.S.A. In 1973 she was appointed the first Chief of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Division of the National Library of Canada (now Library and Archives Canada). In 1983 she authors Artists in Books: Made in Canada lll. Catalogue of the Exhibition and Architectural Images of Yesterday: European Illustrated Folios at the National Library of Canada in 1986.  She retired from the National Library in 1991. Source: Alberta on Record. online (accessed 2023); personal information 

Born February 23, 1868, St Albans, Vermont, U.S.A.  Died May 27, 1943?, Montreal, Quebec. Mary originally studied journalism but then began work in a library and apprenticed under such leaders in the field as Charles Cutter. She became librarian of Westmont Public Library in 1901 and remained until her retirement in 1931. When she began her position she had a staff of a part time janitor. There was bell in a tall elm tree outside the library which could be run to attract the attention of the local police in case of trouble. She built the small library into an institution for a growing community that included a well stocked reference room and a fully separate children's room. She also enjoyed writing, often using the pen name Sollace. She was the author of several one act plays that were produced locally as well as articles, novels and a children's book entitled Our Little Quebec Cousins (Boston, 1919) . She was a welcome lecturer at several Library Schools in North America including Toronto, Montreal, Syracuse, New York, U.S.A., and St Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. (2021)

Born December 4 1928, Toronto, Ontario. Marianne studied at McGill University where she earned her post graduate Bachelor in Library Sciences. During her career she would receive several LLD honours. She started her career as a law librarian and was the cofounder of the Index to Canadian Legal Periodical Literature which began in 1963. She was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. She was the first woman to be appointed as National Librarian of Canada , a position she held from 1984-1999. In 1995 was received the Order of Canada. She was active on boards and executives of various professional library associations at both the national and international levels. (2024)

Born December 12, 1911, Toronto, Ontario. Died August 1, 2009, Victoria British Columbia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1935 from Quinn’s University, Kingston, Ontario and went on to the University of Toronto for her Masters in Library Science in 1936. She began her professional career as a cataloguer at the Toronto Public Library and then moved to Reference Services at Toronto Public. In 1950 she became one of the first and Director of the Canadian Bibliographic Centre, the predecessor to the National Library of Canada. She was responsible for planning and organizing the Canadian Union Catalogue and visited libraries across Canada microfilming catalogue cards using a 16 mm camera. This work formed the nucleus of the current automated AMICUS database. From 1966-1968 she was president of the Bibliographical Society of Canada and from 1970-1971 she was president of the Canadian Library Association. Charming and gracious she was one of Canada’s most distinguished librarians. She had far – seeing leadership and a strong sense of professionalism that served as a role model for the next generations. Sources: Personal knowledge : Martha Shepard Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011) (2021)

Born March 17, 1887, London, Ontario. Died January 8, 1983, Toronto, Ontario. Graduating with her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1910 Lillian trained as a children's librarian at he Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. In 1911 she worked at the Children's Department of the New York Public Library, and within three weeks of being hired she was in charge of the children's room at the Washington Heights Branch Library in New York City, U.S.A. The following year in 1912, she was hired to organize the children's department for the city of Toronto, becoming the first trained children's librarian in Canada. She would devote the next 40 years of her working life to the development of the children's collection within the Toronto Public Library. Lillian also led the idea of the importance of libraries in schools. In 1928, when the University of Toronto established its post graduate Library School, Lillian was on staff to teach Children's literature until she retired in 1952. In the early 30's she served on the Executive Board of the American Library Association and chaired it's Children's Services Division thorough the 1940's. In 1930 she developed a special classification system fitted to children's books. This system was in use for some 30 years before it was accepted that the Dewey Classification would be used in the Toronto Board of Education. Up until 1999 some public libraries still used the Smith classification for picture books. Retiring in 1952 her legacy was in print with her book The Unreluctant Years. The book was also translated into Italian and Japanese. In 1962 she was the 1st Canadian to earn the Clarence Day Award. It is in her honor that the Toronto main children's library is named; The Lillian H. Smith Library. It houses an electronic resource center, the Osborne Collection of Early Children's books, the Lillian H. Smith Collection, the science fiction fantasy and horror  collection (known as the Merrit Collection), the Bagshaw Collection of puppetry and children's drama, videos, CD's, and lots and lots of children's books to be read and loved.  Source: Personal contact with Toronto Public Library 2002)  (2021)

Born August 4, 1914, Bolton, Ontario. Died October 17, 2007, Toronto, Ontario. Judith graduated from the University of Toronto (U of T) with a post graduate Diploma in Librarianship in 1934 and right after graduation began working at Toronto Public Library. The work of Judith St. John became the benchmark for cataloguing unique children’s collections around the world. The work also led to teaching appointments for courses in children’s literature at the University of Toronto and internationally in Britain, Japan and the U.S.A. Her optimism, down to earth approach revealed a totally dedicated librarian with a rich sense of humour who imparted enthusiasm to all those who listened and learned. In 1965 she helped arrange the International Colloquium of the Children’s Book Collections at the Osborne Collection in Toronto. This inspired the founding of an Osborne Friends group, the oldest Friends group in Canada. In 1966 following a trip to Britain she heard of the foundation of a British Branch of Friends for the Children’s collections. Judith held the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Children’s collections and indeed children’s literature close to her hears until her death. Source: Judith St. John by Leslie McGrath ELAN Number 43 Spring 2008. Pg. 10-11 (2021)

Florence Daly Thompson

née Lucas. Born September 13, 1865, Hitchin, England. Died August 4, 1915, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Florence emigrated from England with her family. She was the oldest of ten children. Well educated, she was also an accomplished artist. She married William Henry in 1892 but continued to work for pay outside the home. Before World War 1 it was quite unusual for women to work for salary after they were married. In 1905 she was a representative to the Local Council of Women. She served as secretary of the Local council of women in  1899, 1901, and in 1906 as well in 1909 serving as treasurer. She was a charter member of the Women's Canadian Club in 1907. In 1909 she became the first honorary member of the University Women's Club. She was a successful and published science researcher and a librarian at the University of Manitoba. In addition to her job she was a busy lecturer in the local arts community of Winnipeg, a charter member of the Women's Canadian Club and an honourary member of the University Women's Club. (2021)

née Connolly. Born March 16, 1931, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Died December 21, 2005, Rothsay, New Brunswick. She earned her B.A. at St. Frances Xavier University, Nova Scotia and Her Masters in Library Science at McGill University, Montreal. She worked from 1960-69 as Head, Children’s Department, Saint John Regional Library and from 1969-1997 as Head, Saint John Regional Library. She was also a role model for single mothers, raising her two children alone after her husband , Art, was killed in a plane crash in 1970. She was an active member in the Atlantic Provinces Library Association, serving as president from 1967-1969, the Canadian Library Association and a member of the National Library of Canada Advisory Board. In 1972 she was honoured with the Saint John Woman of the Year. In 1977 she was a recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1982 she earned the Merit Award, from the Atlantic Provinces Library Association. In 1983 she became the first woman to head the Saint John Board of Trade. In 1985 she was Vice-President of Ceremonies for the Canada Summer Games. She was involved the the founding of Hestia House Women’s Shelter and President of Opera New Brunswick and was on the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University.  She was honoured by the YMCA with the Red Triangle Award and in 2003 she was recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Award. After a stroke  confined to a wheelchair she wanted to develop a cross-country so she could go fishing ! In 2004 she was presented with the Chairman’s Award from the Saint Jon Board of Trade and was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. Source: Mary Eileen Travis Biography Collection Ex Libris Association Online (accessed November 2011): Personal Knowledge;  Literary champion Eileen Travis dies by Grant Kerr Saint John Telegraph Journal December 23, 2005 (2021)

Born August 29, 1898, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died November 16, 1973, Hamilton, Ontario. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, Freda did post graduate studies in English at Columbia University, New York City, U.S.A. and studied Librarianship in England. She began her career in the cataloguing section of Hamilton Ontario Public Library. Head Librarian by 1940, she would help her library become one of the top urban public libraries. She worked towards the establishment of the National Library of Canada and served as the first president of the Canadian Library Association in 1947. She also served as the first president of the Programme Planners Institute in Canada. She was the recipient of the United Nations Award for Meritorious Service. She was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction in 1992. In 1990 the Bibliography of Canadiana Published in Great Britain 1519-1763 , on which she wrote was revised, expanded, and published. (2022)

Born August 6, 1921, Hamilton, Ontario. Died November 27, 2018, Hamilton, Ontario. Janette earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and then attended Columbia University, New York City, New York, U.S.A. for her Masters Studies in Library Science. She began her career as a reference librarian at Toronto Public Library and then at the Education Centre Library. She was one of the founding members of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) London, Ontario.  Here she taught generations of new Canadian librarians and served in the administration until her retirement. She was entitled as a Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Information and Medial Studies at Western. Source: Obituary, Globe and Mail, November 2018: Personal knowledge. (2019)