Famous Canadian Women's Historic Timeline - 1900-1910

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1900 AD to 1910 AD
Events listed relate to Canadian women with a few extra items added to give the timeline perspective.

This timeline is not all inclusive.

The timeline was fun to prepare and hopefully it will be fun to read. Perhaps it will even be useful.

Events listed are drawn from various sources including those listed on other areas of http://famouscanadianwomen.com

If you wish more information on the women listed in this timeline be sure and check out the birthdays listed in
"Do you share a birthday with a famous Canadian woman?"

LAST UPDATED March 2008

DATES	EVENTS
1900	January 15 - The first chapter of The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire is founded in Fredericton, New Brunswick by *Margaret Polson Murray* (1844-1927) . The membership volunteer their time to improve the quality of life for children, youth and those in need, through education, social service and citizenship programs. The Married Women’s Property Act makes a wife responsible for her own property, wages, profits, etc. She is also jointly responsible for the support of her children. The only work providing a pension for women is teaching. Source: The Timechart history of Canada by Meredith Macardle (2004) Montreal hospitals refuse to allow women to practice medicine. Source: The Timechart history of Canada by Meredith Macardle (2004) January - a male colleague delivers a research paper by Dr. Maude Abbott (1868-1940) before the Pathological Society in London. It was the first time a paper by a woman had been presented at the Society. Source: 100 Canadian women : famous and forgotten faces by Merna Forster Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2004 pg 21. Josephine Dandurand (1862-1925) produces "two systems of art" which proposes government funding for the arts is half century before the Canada Council of the Arts is organized. The government does not listen. Source: Important Moments in Canadian Art History compiled by Dr. Robert J. Belton, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Creative Projects http://ubc.ca/okanagan/creative/links/timeline (accessed February 2006) Eaton's catalogue presents its Eaton's Beauty Doll made by Armand Marseille of Germany. Source: Timeline of the History of Dolls in Canada by Dawn Monroe 1992. Births: Born Mary Evelyn Gannon (1900-1975) "Just Mary" storey teller supreme wrote for Radio, TV and books. Born Germaine Gévremont (1900-1968) journalist and award winning author. August 10 - Born Norma Shearer (1900-1983) movie star and Academy Award best actress. August 23 - Born Frances Marr Adaskin ( 1900-2001) pianist. September 6 - Born Martha Ostenso, (1900-1963) social worker and author. September 16 - Born Sister Ethelberta (1900-1988) brought her religious order to Canada and was hospital administrator. Deaths: December 5 - Died Evelyn Durand (1870-1900) poet.
1901	The average Canadian women will give birth to 4.6 children in their lifetime. Source : Canuck Chicks and Maple Leaf Mamas : women of the Great White North by Ann Douglas Toronto, McArthur and Co., 2002. The first Canadian Ladies Amateur Golf Tournament is sanctioned by the Royal Canadian Golf Association. April 29 - it is announced that Empire Day will become Victoria Day in honor of the late Queen. (celebrated May 24) October 24 - Former school teacher, Annie Taylor, becomes the first person in Canada to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The national federation of the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire is incorporated and the headquarters is established in Toronto. The Canadian Nursing Service of the Canadian military is formed and the women are part of the regular service rather than an ad hoc group. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia. Women in the Military. Http: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com Josephine Dandurand (1862-1925) publishes Two Systems of Art which proposes government funding for the arts a full half century before the Canada Council is organized. Her proposal is not successful. Source: Important Moments in Canadian Art compiled by Dr, Robert J. Belton . Births: February 17 - Born Mona Parsons (1901-1976) used her home in the Netherlands a a refuge for escaping allied airmen until she was captured by the Germans. Deaths: July 10 - Died Annie Gregg Savigny (? -1901) author.
1902	The first Canadian degree course in Household Science is given at the University of Toronto. The Women's Art Association of Montreal opens a shop to sell crafted items. Source: Important Moments in Canadian Art History compiled by Dr. Robert J. Belton, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Creative Projects http://ubc.ca/okanagan/creative/links/timeline (accessed February 2006) The Royal Bank of Canada hires their first woman, Jennie Moore, from Vancouver, British Columbia. (Source http:// RBC.com/responsibility/accessed January 19, 2008.) Births: Born Sylvia Daoust ( 1902- ) Sculptor and wood carver. Born Nan Shipley (1902-1990) author January 5 - Born Myrtle Cook, (1902-1985) an excellent all round athlete she was a member of the first woman's team in the Olympic Games in 1928. April 20 - Born Elizabeth Goudie (1902-1982) a writer, she recorded the first history of family life in the wilds of Labrador. June 17 - Born Marion Hilliard (1902-1958), medical doctor who helped develop a simplified Pap test. Deaths: January 19 - Died Ester Pariseau, Mother Joseph (1823-1902) Member of Sisters of Charity and pioneer of the northwest coast of North America.
1903	Emma Baker is the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from a Canadian University. A women's curling team from Quebec City defeats a visiting men's curling team from the Royal Caledonia Curling club in Scotland. Source: www.womenwarriors.ca timeline (Accessed June 2005) *Georgina Fane Pope* (1862-1938) is the first Canadian to receive the Royal Red Cross for conspicuous service in the filed. Source: The Canadian encyclopedia online . (Accessed July 22, 2005) December 3 - Mary Pickford (1872-1979) makes her debut on Broadway in New York City. Source: 100 Canadian women : famous and forgotten faces by Merna Forster Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2004 pg. 205. Births: Born Winnifred Blair Drummie (1903-1983) the first Miss Canada. Born Dorothy Duncan (1903-1957) author February 3 - Born Frances Adaskin (1903-1988) award winning singer who championed the works of Canadian composers. August 31 - Born Helen Irene Battle (1903-1994) one of the outstanding women of science in Canada. October 8 - Born Elizabeth Wyn Wood (1903-1966) well known sculptor who has left a legacy of statues and fountains in municipalities across Canada. October 10 - Born Isabel McLaughlin (1903-2002) early modernist painter. Deaths: April 5 - Died Mary Anne Sadlier (1820-1903) prolific author. April 30 - Died Emily Stowe (1831-1903) a social activist and feminist she studied medicine and became the first Canadian woman to practice medicine in Canada.
1904	June - The Canadian Women's Press Club is formed during a CPR sponsored trip of 16 Canadian women journalists to cover the St. Louis World's Fair. Male members of the Montreal Bookbinders Union strike to force employers to fire women already employed in the bookbinding industry Source: http://www.niagara.com/`merrill/trivia.html (Accessed January 2004) December - the Eaton's Department Stores sponsor the first Santa Clause Parade in Toronto. Santa, in a horse drawn sleigh, is followed through the streets of Toronto to the Eaton's Store. Eaton's Department Stores opens a store in Winnipeg, Manitoba and introduces it's western Canada catalogue. Births: Born Adèle de Guerry Languedoc (1904-1993) accomplished librarian and Associate National Librarian of Canada. January 4 - Born Pegi Nicol MacLeod (1904-1949) an artist among the first wave of Canadian modernism. January 22 - Born Peggy Seller, she is remembered best for writing the rules of synchronized swimming. February 19 - Born Hilda Neatby (1904-1975), historian, author, educator and critic of the Canadian education system. March 21 - Born Jehane Benoit (1904-1987) rebound chef and author who was an officer in the Order of Canada. April 16 - Born Fifi D'Orsay (1904-1983) Vaudeville performer and early movie actress known as the French bombshell.
1905	Saskatchewan and Alberta join the Dominion of Canada. Dr. Maud Abbott (1869-1940) is asked by Dr. William Osler to write a chapter on congenital heart disease in his forthcoming medical textbook. Source: 100 Canadian women : famous and forgotten faces by Merna Forster Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2004 pg. 21. April 4 - The Berlin, (now Kitchener) Ontario YWCA is founded by a group of women who want to serve the women of their community. Source: YWCA 1905-1995 http://www.operation-dialogue.com/e/rc/h_women.html (Accessed May 20, 2005) June 27 - Mina Hubbard (1870-1956) sets off in her deceased husband's footsteps to complete his fateful exploration and mapping parts of Labrador. Source: Mina Hubbard Explores Labrador. Canadian History News. http://northernblue.ca/cblog/archives (Accessed July 27, 2005) The Ontario Medical College for women (1895-1905) closes when the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine allows for women students. Source: A history of Women's College http://sunnbrookandwomens.on.ca (Accessed February 2006) Births: January 28 - Born Ellen Louks Fairclough. (1905-2004) Hamilton, Ontario. First woman to be appointed to the federal Canadian cabinet. March 27 - Born Elsie Gregory McGill (1905-1980) Canada's first woman graduate in electrical engineering and the first to design aircraft. July 8 - Born Elizabeth Allin (1905-1993) the first woman appointed in Physics at the University of Toronto. July 25 - Born Grace MacInnis (1905-1991), social activist and politician. August 1 - Born Helen Battles Hogg-Priestley,(1905-1993) award winning astronomer, the first Canadian to have a minor planet named for her. Deaths: Died Lydia Campbell (1818-1905) diarist of life and lore of 19th century Labrador. Died Sadie O. Prince (1861-1905) poet. Died Abigail Becker Rohrer,(1830-1905) a heroine who helped save lives of crew member of the schooner, Conductor,
1906	The permanent Army Medical Corps is created in Canada. Georgina Pope (1862-1938) is appointed first Nursing Matron. Source: 100 Canadian women : famous and forgotten faces by Merna Forster Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2004 pg 209 Henrietta Tuzo Wilson (1873-1955) the first Canadian born woman mountaineer is the first woman to ascend to the summit of Peak Seven of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In 1907, the peak is renamed Mount Tuzo in her honour. Source: Girls on top; ten tales of women peak performances in Canada's west by Natalie St-Denis. Canadian Geographic web site http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atg2005/girsl.asp (accessed July 18, 2005) The shop at the Women's Art Association in Montreal receives a charter and becomes the Canafdian Handcraft Guild Source: Important Moments in Canadian Art History compiled by Dr. Robert J. Belton, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Creative Projects http://ubc.ca/okanagan/creative/links/timeline (accessed February 2006) Births: Born Helen Birdsall (1906-1988) dance instructor and choreographer to the CNE in the 1920's and 1930's. Born Albertine Caron-Legris (1906-1972) Pianist, composer and teacher. June 26 - Born Marian Mildred Dale Scott (1906-1993), a painter of landscapes and portraits. Deaths: March 4 - Died Kate Yeigh (1856-1906) Journalist and author.
1907	The Dominion Women’s Enfranchisement Association becomes the Canadian Suffrage Association. Married Women’s Property Legislation is passed in Saskatchewan. Mlle Thais Frémont founds the Ste Justine Children's Hospital, Montreal. Peak Seven of the Valley of the Ten Peaks on Canada's west coast is renamed Mount Tuzo in honour of Henrietta Tuzo Wilson (1873-1955) , the first woman to climb to the summit in 1906. Source: Girls on top; ten tales of women peak performances in Canada's west by Natalie St-Denis. Canadian Geographic web site http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atg2005/girsl.asp (accessed July 18, 2005) The Canadian Women's Club of Trinidad and Tobago is formed. Source: http://www.opus.co.tt/cwc/ (accessed July 2005) Births: February 23 - Born Evelyn Horne (1907-2005) Caring Canadian Award recipient. May 5 - Born Florence Li Tim-Oi (1907-1992) Priest in the Anglican Church. May 30 - Born Margaret Mary Street (1907-1993) nurse, teacher, biographer and recipient, Order of Canada. August 3 - Born Greta Krause, harpsicohordist. August 28 - Born Irene Spry (1907-1998) respected historian and author. September 15 - Born Fay Wray, (1907-2004) actress who is best remembered as playing oposite the ape in the movie, King Kong. December 12 - Born Fleurette Marie Berthe Beauchamp-Huppé (1907- ) award winning pianist. Deaths: July 7 - Died Anna Louisa Walker Coghill (1836-1907) Poet and hymn writer.
1908	The book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, is published in Boston. Canadian Nurses' Association is founded. Source : www.canadiannursesfoundation.com/heritage.htm. *Georgina Fane Pope* (1862-1938) is the first Matron of the Canadian Army Medical corps. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia On line (accessed July 22, 2005.) Rural mail delivery is introduced. Families are no longer as isolated and recieve mail and mail order catalogues directly at their homes. Source: Before e-commerce : a history of mail order catalogues http://wwwcivilization.ca/cpm/catalog/catooooe.html December 2004. W. H. Scoggie Department Stores of Montreal introduces a French language mail order catalogue to best serve clients. Source: Before e-commerce : a history of mail order catalogues http://wwwcivilization.ca/cpm/catalog/catooooe.html December 2004. Cellophane, the precursor to plastic wrap is invented by a Swiss chemist. Source : Canuck Chicks and Maple Leaf Mamas : women of the Great White North by Ann Douglas Toronto, McArthur and Co., 2002. pg 13. Births: Born Bylee Fay Lang (1908-1963) sculptor. Born Eileen Vollick Wiarton, Ontario the first Canadian woman to earn a private pilot's license. January 13 - Born Florence Bayard Bird. (1908-1998) A member of the Canadian Senate, under the pen name of Anne Francis she was also an author. She was also a pioneer broadcaster and journalist. February 7 - Born Lela Alene Brooks, world record holder in speed skating. February 10 - Born Jean Coulthard (1908-2000) composer, performer and teacher. February 21 - Born Alma Brock-Smith Pianist and teacher. February 29 - Born Charlotte Cadoret (Sister St-Jean-du-Sacré-Coeur) (1908 - ) Educator, composer, and pianist. April 28 - Born Ethel Catherwood, (1908-1987) member of the first Canadian women's Olympic team. May 6 - Born Naomi Yanova Adaskin (1908-1996) journalist, pianist and teacher. July 6 - Born Jeanne Fisher Marnery ( 1908-1986) the first woman appointed professor in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto (1964) September 6 - Born Sara Barkin (1908- ) p ianist and soprano
1909	March 14 - a delegation of 1000 women march to the Ontario Legislature to present a petition of 100,000 names of people supporting suffrage is presented. The International Congress of Women is held in Toronto, including delegates from Europe, the United States, and Australia. Dr. Helen MacMurchy's report to the Ontario Government blamed the high infant death rate on intestinal diseases, ignorance, poverty and inadequate medical care. Source : Canuck Chicks and Maple Leaf Mamas : women of the Great White North by Ann Douglas Toronto, McArthur and Co., 2002. General electric markets the first electric toaster. Source : Canuck Chicks and Maple Leaf Mamas : women of the Great White North by Ann Douglas Toronto, McArthur and Co., 2002. pg 13. December 4 - the first Grey Cup football game is played in Toronto, Ontario. (Source Ottawa Citizen, Sunday November 21,2004) Laura Muntz Lyall (1860-1930) is the first woman asked to exhibit her works at the Canadian Art Club. Source: Important Moments in Canadian Art History compiled by Dr. Robert J. Belton, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Creative Projects http://ubc.ca/okanagan/creative/links/timeline (accessed February 2006) Births: Born Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) international humanitarian who had so many awards that there were 5 rows of ribbons representing the awards on her uniform! March 22 - Born Gabrielle Roy,(1909-1983) internationally rebound author and winner of Governor's General Award winner. June 7 - Born Margaret Ormsby, professor, editor and historian. August 7 - Born Dorothy Louise Walton (1909-1981) one of the top badminton players in Canada August 11 - Born Lenore Talbot Crawford (1909-1983) Journalist who maintained a weekly column in the London free press. August 25 - Born Ruby Keeler (1909-1993) singer , dancer and performer. October 12 - Born Dorothy Livesay (1909-1996) Journalist, author, and literary critic. October 25 - Born Doris Clark Ludwig (1905-2005) a social worker by education she became a journalist in her subject area. Deaths: September 29 - Died Matilda Edgar (1844-1910) historian.