Nellie McClung (1873 - 1951) was one of Canada's "Famous Five" who fought for the recognition of women as persons under the British North America Act. The Famous Five's successful court challenge in 1929 allowed women to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, a privilege that had previously been denied them.
McClung was a campaigner for female suffrage, temperance, urban renewal, and social welfare. She was a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly from 1921 to 1926 where she worked on issues affecting women and children. She was the first female Director of the Board of the Governors of the CBC and was chosen as a delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva in 1938.
The Nellie McClung commemorative stamp celebrating the 100th anniversary of her birth was issued on August 29, 1973. (Article from the Postal History Corner Web site)
Nellie McClung visited Yorkton in January of 1914. She was sponsored by the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She spoke to a large audience, reading from some of her publications and making the points that the franchise is long past due to women, She advocated that women be promoted to inspectors of women factory workers, be given a direct voice in law making, and better fair play in the courts. She also advocated prohibition of liquor, stating that one boy in every five families in Canada became a drunkard. McClung gave as example that in Wyoming, women have had the right to vote for 20 years and have influenced the State becoming a "dry" state. Mayor J.A.M. Patrick presided over the evening at which there were also several solos and musical renditions.(Source: The Yorkton Enterprise January 15, 1914.) Saskatchewan women were granted the right to vote in provincial elections on March 14, 1916.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher, City of Yorkton Archives, Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3 306-786-1722
[email protected]
