Famous Canadian Women's Historic Timeline - 1990-1999

Return to Timeline introduction

1990 AD to 1999 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
1990	February - Kim Campbell (1947- ) is the first woman federal Minister of Justice. She is also Attorney-General. Source: Club de Madrid Kim Campbell http://www.clubmadrid.org (accessed January 2006) March 25 - Canada wins the first Women’s World Hockey Championship. May 3 - The Supreme Court of Canada is unamous in its decision that Angelique Lyn Lavalee of Winnipeg was acting in self defense when she shot her husband to death after years of beatings. Women may now use battered wife syndrome as defence against a murder charge. This is too late for the 1911 court that originally sentenced a woman to be hanged for killing her abusive husband. *August 16 - Marion Loretta Reid* (1929- ) is appointed the 37th Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the first woman to hold this position. December 6 is proclaimed as a National Day of Mourning and Action on Violence Against Women. December 9 - Pope John Paul canonized Mother Marie d'Youville, founder of the Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns). She is the first Canadian to become a saint. The Minister of National Defense establishes the Minister's Advisory Board on Women in the Canadian Forces to monitor the progress of gender integration and employment equity in Canada's forces. Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005. A provincial court in Nova Scotia declares the provincial medical Services Act as unconstitutional and Dr. Henry Morgentaler is acquitted of all charges that had been laid the previous year. Source : A History of Abortion in Canada http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/history.html (accessed July 30, 2003) Jean Edmonds** releases her federal government Report of Task Force on Barriers to Women in the Public Service : Beneath the Veneer. The federal government releases The Report of Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women : Creating choices. The Federal government releases The Report on child sex abuse: Reaching for solutions. The National Research Council, part of the federal government, creates new science and engineering training programs for women. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. *The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) releases a New Initiatives in Film,* a program that provides filmmaking opportunities for women of colour and the First Nations.** Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. *Rosella Bjornson* (1947- ) is the first woman to be promoted to Captain with a major Canadian air carrier. *Susan Nattrass,* (1950- ) is the first woman to be entered in a shotgun event in the Commonwealth Games. Mabel M. DeWare, is appointed to the Canadian Senate . *k.d. Lang, well known country singer, participates in a "meat stinks" ad campaign. Eileen Regina Twain* signs her first recording contract and changes her name to Shania. The Nova Scotia Library Association establishes 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. Deaths: Died Dr Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) international humanitarian who had so many awards that there were 5 rows of ribbons representing the awards on her uniform! Died Nan Shipley (1902-1990) author.
1991	Louise Frechette is the first Canadian woman ambassador to the United Nations. The Canadian Broadcasting Act ensures employment equity in the broadcasting system. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. April 2 - Rita Margaret Johnston (1935- ) is the first woman to serve as a provincial premier in Canada. The Women In Engineering and Science (WES) program is introduced by the National Research Council to provide support to women university students pursuing careers in non-traditional areas of research in the fields of engineering and science. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women is founded. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. The Economic Development for Canadian Aboriginal Women is incorporated. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. The Canadian Census finds that women made up 84% of elementary and kindergarten teachers, 51% of secondary school teachers and 28% of university teachers. The Canadian census finds 10% of women in Canada hold a university degree, 22% hold a post-secondary degree or diploma, 9% have acquired some postsecondary education, 45% hold a high school diploma and 14% have less than a grade nine education. The Canadian census finds that 84% of elementary and kindergarten teachers are women, 51% of secondary school teachers are women and 28% of university teachers are women. July 1 - the Goods and Services Federal Tax (GST) is introduced by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. December 6 is declared as a National Day of Rememberance and Action on Violence Against Women. House of Commons Bill C- 43, an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada relating to abortion is defeated in the Senate of Canada in a tie vote. Abortion will now be treated like any other medical procedure. Source : A History of Abortion in Canada http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/history.html (accessed July 30, 2003) The Family Law Reform Commission is established. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. Myriam Bedard (1969- ) becomes the first Canadian to win a World Cup in Biathlon *Lieutenant Anne Reiffenstein* (née Proctor), *Lieutenant Holly Brown* and Captain Linda Shrum graduate from artillery training in the Canadian Forces as the first women officers in combat arms. Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005. Deaths: July 10 - Died Grace MacInnis (1905-1991), social activist and politician.
1992	Canada declares October as Women's History Month. Source: Women's History Month 2004 http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/whm/index_e.html (accessed May 4, 2004) ALSO Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. The Public Service Reform Act legislates employment equity for the federal public service. January 22 - Dr. Roberta Lynn Bondar (1945- ) becomes the first Canadian woman in space when she is a payload specialist onboard the space shuttle Discovery January 22 - 30, 1992. June - Julie Payette (1963- ) joins the Canadian Space Agency as an astronaut. Source: Http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/payette.html. (accessed may 2003) September 23 - Manon Rhéaume (1972- ) is the first woman to play hockey professionally. She is a goalie with the Tampa Bay Lightening of the National Hockey League. The Miss Canada Pageant is discontinued. *Paule Gauthier* (1943- ) is the first woman president of the Canadian Bar Association in its 77 year history. Source: Canadian Chronology Http://tdi.uregina.ca/~maguirec/chron.html (accessed April 28, 2003) The Canadian Athletes Association (Now Athletes CAN) is founder to represent Canada's nation team athletes. Source: http://www.atheletescan.com (Accessed May 20, 2005) Deaths: February 26 - Died Florence Li Tim-Oi (1907-1992) Priest in the Anglican Church. March 26 - Died Barbara Frum, (1937-1992) award winning multi media journalist.
1993	Health Canada establishes the Women's Health Bureau. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. The Canada Labour Code Part lll gives pregnant or nursing women the right to ask employers to modify her job or reassign her to another position. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. Beth Underhill, (1962- ) an equestrian jumper and winner of a double sliver medal at the Pan American Game and member of the Barcelona, Spain Olympic silver medal team team, becomes the first Canadian woman to win the World League. January - Kim Campbell ( 1947- ) is appointed Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veteran affairs. She is the firs woman to be Minister of Defence of a NATO country. Source: Club de Madrid Kim Campbell www.clubmadrid.org (accessed January 2006) January - k.d. Lang is named best new adult contemporary artist at the American Music Awards. March 29 - Catherine Callbeck (1939- ) is the first woman to be elected as a provincial premier when she wins the election in Prince Edward Island. June 25 - Hon. Kim Campbell (1947- .) becomes the first woman Prime Minister of Canada and serves until November 4, 1993. November 4 - Sheila Copps (1952- ) is the first woman appointed to federal cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister through to June 10, 1997. *Joyce Fairbairn* (1939- ) is appointed the first woman Government Leader of the Canadian Senate. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against women published its Community Kit on Violence Against Women. Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. Dr. Jean Augustine is the first African Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada. Lieutenant Leanne Crowe of the Canadian Navy is the first woman to qualify as a clearance officer and the first woman to serve as Commanding officer of the Experimental Diving Unit. Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005. Tanya Dubincoff (1969- ) is the first Canadian woman to be a world champion in track cycling Canada Post issues a series of stamps honouring two centennials the founding of the National Office of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and of the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC). It is also the 50th anniversary of the first federally appointed woman judge in Canada. Honouring these events, four stamps are being issued depicting outstanding Canadian women: Adelaide Hoodless, Helen Alice Kinnear, Marie-Joséphine Gérin-Lajoie and Pitseolak. Source : Canada Post , Collectiong stamps http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/020117/020117030401_e.html Deaths: Died Elizabeth Allin (1905-1993) the first woman appointed in Physics at the University of Toronto. January 26 - Died Jeanne Sauvé,(1922-1993) journalist and politician, the first woman to be appointed Speaker of the House of Commons and the first woman to be Governor General of Canada. January 28 - Died Helen battles Hogg-Priestley,(1905-1993) award winning astronomer, the first Canadian to have a minor planet named for her. February 28 - Died Ruby Keeler (1909-1993) singer , dancer and performer. April 25 - Died Doris Giller Born January 22, 1931, Montreal, Quebec. Pioneer journalist and newspaper editor. November 28 - Died Marian Mildred Dale Scott (1906-1993), a painter of landscapes and portraits. December - Died Adèle de Guerry Languedoc (1904-1993) accomplished librarian and Associate National Librarian of Canada. December 7 - Died Margaret Mary Street (1907-1993) nurse, teacher, biographer and recipient, Order of Canada. December 18 - Died Grace Hartman ( 1918-1993) social activist and union member.
1994	The Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) grants a license to the Canadian specialty woman's television station, the Womens' Television Network (WTN) Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995. Lenna Bradbum, a graduate of the University of Toronto with a degree in criminology and a masters in public administration, is appointed Canada's first woman police chief, in Guelph, Ontario. Source: Canadian Chronology Http://tdi.uregina.ca/~maguirec/chron.html (accessed April 28, 2003) The Graduate Collaborative Program in Women's Studies is established at the University of Toronto. Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network http://www.unb.ca/PAR-L/chronology1.htm (accessed April 28, 2003. ) Wendy Clay is the first woman promoted to the rank of Major-General in the Canadian Forces. Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005. *Myriam Bedard* (1969- ) wins two gold medal in Biathlon at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics Jocelyne Bourgon is appointed the first woman Clerk of the Privy Council. The Giller Prize in literature is established and named for Doris Giller (1931-1993) April 26 - Officials use excessive force quelling a disturbance at Prison for Women, Kingston, Ontario. ( http://www.elizabethfry.ca/ ) *Carol Shields* (1935-2003) wins the Pulitzer Prize for The Stone Diaries. Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893 is designated a National Historic Person by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Deaths: Died Elsie Bell Gardner (1895-1994) author of the Maxie books for girls in the 1930's and 1940's June 17 - Died Helen Irene Battle (1903-1994) one of the outstanding women of science in Canada. August 31 - Died Kathleen Frances Daly (1889-1994) An artist known for her paintings of Montagnais, and her landscapes.
1995	The United Nations hosts a second international conference on women in Beijing, China. It has been 20 years since the UN declared the international year of the women. Bill C-127 changes the Criminal Code of Canada so that intoxication is no longer accepted as a defense in cases of sexual assault and battery. Source Canada Women's Foundation. History of the women's movement: selected moments of importance in the history of Canadian women , 2004 http://cdnwomen.org. Christine Silverberg becomes the first woman police chief of a major Canadian city, Calgary, Alberta. The Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies issues a indecisive Report. Setting the stage for the next century: the federal play for gender equity, is published by the Canadian government. Source Canada Women's Foundation. History of the women's movement: selected moments of importance in the history of Canadian women , 2004 http://cdnwomen.org. July - 10 of the 90 universities in Canada are headed by women Presidents. Source: Canadian Chronology Http://tdi.uregina.ca/~maguirec/chron.html (accessed April 28, 2003) October - Alexa McDonough is elected leader of the federal New Democratic Party. The Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell (1947- ) is appointed Canadian Council for Los Angeles 1996-2000. 521,000 Canadians participate in their sport of 5-pin bowling on a regular basis and 63% of participants are women. Source: 5-pin Bowline History http://www.cvnet.net/burnstd/ located May 2005. Filmmaker *Mina Shum* wins a prize for Best First Film at the Berlin International Film Festival with her work Double Happiness. Source: Canadian Chinese National Council. Moments of Chinese Canadian History. http://www.ccnc.ca/toronto/history/timeline.html (accessedJ uly 7, 2003) The Collaborative Program in Women's Studies at the Master's Level is created at the University of Ottawa, The third post graduate established program in this area it is the first Bilingual program in the field. Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network http://www.unb.ca/PAR-L/chronology1.htm (accessed April 28, 2003. ) *Dr Emily Stowe* (1831-1903), the first woman to practice medicine in Canada is designated a National Historic Person by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board. A plaque is erected in 1997 in Truro, Nova Scotia. Dr Jenny Trout (1841-1921), the first woman licensed doctor in Canada is declared a National Historic Person by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board. A plaque is erected in 1999, in Kingston, Ontario. Portia May White (1911-1968), a renouned singer is designated a National Historic Person by the Historic Sites and Monument Board. An historic plaque is erected in 1997 in Truro, Nova Scotia. Deaths: Died Vera Lysenko (1910-1995), nurse, journalist and novelist. March 26 - Died Margaret Millar (1915-1994) mystery writer. April 4- Died Marion Orr (1918-1995) Pioneer aviator and first woman to own and operate a flying school in Canada. April 27 - Died Katherine De Mille (1911-1995) movie actress.
1996	The Canadian Human Rights Act is amended to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination. Source Canada Women's Foundation. History of the women's movement: selected moments of importance in the history of Canadian women , 2004 http://cdnwomen.org. July 6 - Canada Post issues two commemorative stamps in celebration of the lives of Ethel Catherwood (1908-1987) and Fanny "Bobbie" Rosenfeld (1903-1969), who were members of the "Matchless Six" women's team, and gold medal winners, in the 1928 Olympic Games. There are 41 undergrad and 16 graduate prgrams and research institutes in Canada in the field of Women's studies. Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network http://www.unb.ca/PAR-L/chronology1.htm (accessed April 28, 2003. ) *Sarah McLachlan* founds an all-female music festival called Lilith Fair, which toured widely for three years. Because of this initiative and her efforts to advance the careers of women in the music business, Sarah McLachlan received the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Visionary Award in 1998.The fairs raised over 1 million dollars for women's causes. Source: The Kids Book of Canadian Firsts by Valerie Wyatt (Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2001) pg.39. Gail Greenough (1960- ) is the first Canadian and first woman to win the world equestrian show jumping championships. Winnie Roach Leuszler (1926-2004) internationally acclaimed swimmer and the first Canadian woman to swim the English Channel receives the Order of Ontario and is inducted into the Ontario Swimming Hall of Fame. Carol Lees, a Saskatchewan housewife and mother convinces Statistics Canada to start collecting data about hours Canadians spend on such unpaid tasks as housework, yard work, childcare and eldercare. Source : Canuck Chicks and Maple Leaf Mamas : women of the Great White North by Ann Douglas Toronto, McArthur and Co., 2002. pg 21. Deaths: March 1 - Died Naomi Yanova Adaskin (1908-1996) journalist, pianist and teacher. March 28 - Died Edith Margaret Fowke (1913-1996) , folklorist , collector writer, and teacher. December 29 - Died Dorothy Livesay (1909-1996) Journalist, author, and literary critic.
1997	A bridge connecting Prince Edward Island to the mainland is opened. September 26 - Canada Post issues a commemorative stamp to honour Martha Black (1866-1957) an extraordinary citizen and first lady of Canada's Yukon Territories. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board erects an historic Plaque in Truro, Nova Scotia, for National Historic Person. Dr. Emily Stowe, (1831-1903) the first woman to practice medicine in Canada. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board erects an historic plaque in Truro, Nova Scotia, for National Historic Person, Portia May White, (1911-1968), a renouned singer. Deaths: February 17 - Died Lois Catherine Marshall Born Toronto, Ontario January 29, 1924. International opera singer. April 11 - Died Muriel McQueen Fergusson, (1899-1997) member of the Canadian Senate.
1998	July - A Human Rights Tribunal concludes that the Public Service Alliance of Canada ( the largest union of federal public servants) has a right to call for pay equity. As a result the largest payment for equal pay for equal work in Canada is made to several groups including librarians and clerks working for the federal government. The groups receiving the back pay for equality were groups dominated by women and the back pay was retro-active for 13 years. Vivienne Poy (1941- ) is the first Canadian of Chinese descent to be appointed to the Senate of Canada. Sarah McLachlan receives the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Visionary Award in 1998 for her imitative in founding the all-female Lilith Fair music festival and her efforts to advance careers of women in music. Sandra Schmirler (1963-2000) leads her curling tem of Joan McCuster, Jan Betker, Marcia Gudereit and Atina Ford to win the first ever Olympic gold medal in women's curling. Canadian Women's Hockey team wins Silver Medal. *Catherine Side* is the first woman in Canada to graduate with a doctorate in Women's Studies (York University, Toronto). Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network http://www.unb.ca/PAR-L/chronology1.htm (accessed April 28, 2003. ) Nova Scotia Arts Council Creates the Portia White Prize to be awarded annually to recognize cultuural and artistic excellence of a provincial artist. Deaths: June 27 - Died Joyce Wieland ( 1931-1998) an artist with works covering a multitude of media from canvas, quilting , embroidery and film. December 16 - Died Irene Spry (1907-1998) respected historian and author.
1999	April 1 - Nunavut is formally created as a territory. May 27 - June6 - Julie Payette (1963- ) is the first Canadian to serve in the International Space Station. Source: Http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/payette.html. (accessed may 2003) Eaton's department stores goes bankrupt. 13,000 loose jobs. *Ione Christensen* (1933- ) former Commissioner of the Yukon Territories is appointed to the Senate of Canada. The Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell (1947- ) is the Chair (1999-2003) of the Council of Women Work. (The Council's membership consists of women who have held the office of President or Prime Minister in their own country.) Source: Club de Madrid Kim Campbell www.clubmadrid.org (accessed January 2006) December 9 - Lois Hole (1929-2005) is appointed as Alberta's 15th Lieutenant Governor Source: http://collections.ic.gc.ca/abpolitics/people/lt-hole.html March 2003 The National Women's Hockey League becomes official. Source: Status of Women Canada. Adult fact Sheet Women and sports in Canada: an historical overview. (Ottawa, 2002) The Canadian Women's Mentor Awards holds its inauguration event in Calgary, Alberta. It is sponsored by the Globe and Mail newspaper and the YWCA's across Canada. Source: The first Canadian Women's mentor Awards held in Calgary Http://stenographers.com/entrepreneur/articles.html#top (accessed July 2005) Dr Noni MacDonald is the first woman in Canada to be Dean of a Canadian Medical School at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Source: The Kids Book of Canadian Firsts by Valerie Wyatt (Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2001) Thanadelthur (Ca 1717), an Aboriginal woman who played a major role in establishing the fur trade in the 18th century Canadian north, is designated an National Historical Person by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board erects an historic plaque for National Historic Person, Dr. Jenny Trout (1841-1921), the first woman licensed doctor in Canada, in Kingston, Ontario. SchoolNet, originally established in 1993, goes on-line allowing Canadian School children to connect electronically to the world. Source: The Kids Book of Canadian Firsts by Valerie Wyatt (Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2001) pg. 24. Deaths: Died Jean Bruce Dawson (1912-1999) a nurse by training she became an artist. Died Evalyn Bowen (1911-1999) , stage actress who organized and directed the first all Negro dram group in Canada. Died Anne Szumigalski (1922-1999) Poet and winner of the Governor General's Award in poetry 1995. February 25 - Died Blanche Margaret Meagher (1911- 1999), pioneer Canadian diplomat. September 4 - Died Anna Afanasyevna Bhatjkin ( - 1999) medical doctor, cardiac specialist.