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WW1 (Economic change)
During WWI, women had to in factories while the men went off to war to fight for our country. This period had an increase in women working in all sectors of the economy, including factories, offices, and stores. Although not all women had equal access to work. Employers preferred single women and would say that “mothers and wives need not apply." I would give this a -1 because although women could now work it was selective and they weren't payed as forthcoming as then men. -
Elizabeth Smellie (Social change)
Nurse Elizabeth Smellie was the first woman appointed Colonel in the Canadian Army, becoming head of the Canadian Army Nursing Corps. She achieved many honours, including Commander of the British Empire and the Royal Red Cross Medal. I would give this a 2 on the scale because Smellie worked hard to save many soldiers lives, she was dedicated to serving her country and she was the first Canadian women to ever receive a tittle in war. -
White Women the Right to Vote (Political Change)
Canadian white women were granted the right to vote in federal elections. It started with winning the right to vote in provincial elections in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Followed by BC and Ontario (1917), Nova Scotia(1918), New Brunswick(1919), Prince Edward Island(1922), Newfoundland(1925) and Quebec(1940). I would rate this a 1 because this was a huge step for women, but this only went out to white women not women of colour or immigrant background. -
Immigrant Women (Economic change)
Canadian federal government set a special side of the Canadian Department of Immigration and Colonization to recruit women for domestic service and other female-gendered forms of paid employment that Canadian women were unlikely or unavailable to do, and to manage the movements of all “unaccompanied” women coming into the country. I rate this a -2 because Canada was many new immigrants dream but poverty was major and many were forced to hard work and lived in poor conditions. -
Agnes Macphail (Political Change)
She was the first woman elected to the federal government.Her career in both federal and provincial politics was productive. Macphail fought tirelessly against a mass of gender discrimination through which she had to constantly prove herself worthy. Even with the added pressure, she advocated issues such as worker’s rights, prison reform, seniors’ pension, and gender equity, making great advance in many areas. I rate this a 2, she accomplished many things as the first women in parliament. -
Women Allowed to Divorce Men (Social Change)
The Federal Divorce Law changed to allow woman to divorce their husband on the same justifications as a man. This law gave a powerful status to women by granting them access to family assets, certain property rights and most importantly, considering them equal to men in marriage. I would rate this a 2 for this gave many women a sense of power and made them feel less like property and more as a real individual. -
Mary Pickford (Social Change)
Mary Pickford became one Hollywoods most popular actresses of the 1920's and arguably the the most powerful of her time. Pickford was also among the 36 founders of the Academy of the International Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (now known as the Academy Awards, or “The Oscars”). I would rate this a 2 she was quite the star and an inspiration to many young women to become successful. -
Housewives (Social Change)
Many ads and propaganda on new appliances and how they made life easier for housewives, but it also suggested that with the new appliances there would be more time to do more work. I would rate this a -1 having new technology was great it made life easier, but the fact that ads lowered down women self-esteem by telling them to do "more work" was quite presumptuous. -
Olympic Team Including Women (Social Change)
Canada’s first olympic team to include women. Bobbie Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith and Ethel Catherwood’s great performances made it one of the best years for female olympians.Rosenfeld and Smith won silver and bronze medals in the 100m race and Myrtle Cook and Jane Bell, set a world record and won gold medals at the 4x100 relay race. I rate this a 1 because even with amazing wins and inspiring many women, doctors pressed to say that female athletes would have trouble having children if they continued. -
The Famous Five (Political Change)
After the supreme court of Canada ruled that women were not persons under the law, the Famous Five appealed to the Privy Council of London, England. They ruled that in accordance with the BNA act, women "are persons" under the law. With the passing of this law, women were now legally considered persons and could work political positions through the senate and house of commons. I rate this a 2 because the was ground breaking news to women all over the country it was the start of equality.
