I don’t remember when I first learned about the Canadian suffrage movement at school, but I do remember that politics were often discussed in our home. We lived in a very small farming community and the community hall, where elections were held, was across the street. Not all members of the family had the same voting preferences and should one of the females express a different opinion, teasing would follow about how terrible things were since women had been given the right to vote. But voting was taken seriously, and it was fully expected that each person who could vote would do so. I remember some farmers whose X signatures had to be witnessed because they could not write their names. At school, we had Civil Studies and held class elections. Much of the information I know comes from stories about the lives of these and other pioneer women I read after graduating from college.
On January 27, 1914, Nellie McClung and several hundred supporters filled the Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nellie delivered the message: “We are not here to ask for a reform or a gift or a favor, but for a right–not for mercy but for justice.”
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How’s it going, Barbara?
And to think that women today are still shut out of politics in some parts of the world. Here at home, women are under attack. It’s unacceptable. This history reminds us of how difficult it is to hold the line.
We live our lives as if we’re the only ones with a history. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this story.
These are impressive articles. Keep it up.
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Sometimes we just think the sun rises and sets at our nation’s borders. I love the variety of postings. Thank you.
Interesting — thank you for this!