Women in Politics Celebrated
Victoria, B.C. – A special ceremony at the Legislature in Victoria today celebrated the role of women in politics.
An exhibition called “Women of the Vote” was unveiled highlighting the women who have taken on leadership roles in this province.
The event included the participation of the BC delegates of Equal Voice’s Daughters of the Vote along with current female MLAs.
The exhibit displayed a number of accomplishments by B.C. women including:
- Mary Ellen Smith – the first female MLA of the Legislature (1918), the first female member of cabinet (no portfolio) in the British Empire (1921), first female acting speaker in the British Empire (1928).
- Premier Christy Clark – first elected female premier of B.C.
- Minister Shirley Bond – first female attorney general of B.C.
- Nancy Hodges – first female speaker of the Commonwealth Nations (1950).
- Tilly Rolston – first female cabinet minister in Canada with a portfolio (1952)
- Rosemary Brown – first black Canadian female to be elected (1972)
The exhibition is part of the Speaker’s celebrations for Women’s History Month. The Daughter of the Vote is a national initiative run by Equal Voice and is a multi-partisan organization that strives to encourage more women to run in politics.
“Today’s event was a proud moment for all women who have been elected,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “I am honoured to be one of the 102 women elected to our Legislature in the last 100 years.”
Comments
Huh, Women’s History Month happens every year, so why is it being commemorated in such a big fashion this year? I guess we all have our suspicions, however, good to see these women being recognized, particularly Rosemary Brown and Mary Ellen Smith.
Because, as you should know, this year is the 100th anniversary of the women’s right to vote in Canada.
Technically, women were not allowed to vote in Canada in a federal election until January 1, 1919, and more specifically, women were not allowed to vote “and” run for political office (enfranchisement) until 1916 where Manitoba was the first province to allow this.
This article is not about the celebration of women voting, but the political enfranchisement of women were upon they were allowed to run for office, thus the list of “elected” female politicians. But hey, everyone can interpret a story slightly differently.
It is called “Daughters of the vote”
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/
In conjunction with “Women’s History Month”
Ines Mancin and Mana Moshkforoush are our Prince George riding delegates. You missed the first event on the calendar with all the BC delegates, but the news didn’t. Next March they will be in Ottawa, all 338 delegates, one from each federal riding.
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/calendar
It is a federal initiative, so bash the federal party not the provincial one.
http://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/back_story
You can even download their promo material and post it at your place of work.
http://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/promotional-material
Not sure how you interpret the story, but you are welcome to reply
It is called “Daughters of the vote”
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/
In conjunction with “Women’s History Month”
Ines Mancin and Mana Moshkforoush are our Prince George riding delegates. You missed the first event on the calendar with all the BC delegates, but the news didn’t. Next March they will be in Ottawa, all 338 delegates, one from each federal riding.
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/calendar
It is a federal initiative, so bash the federal party not the provincial one.
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/back_story
You can even download their promo material and post it at your place of work.
ht tp://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/promotional-material
Not sure how you interpret the story, but you are welcome to reply
I believe all woman in Canada are important. not just the politicians.
Yes but the theme is for the 100th anniversary of women’s right to cast a ballot in Canada
Its rather interesting how you can use the phrase **First elected** female Premier of BC and come up with Christy Clark.
If you were to say **First female Premier of BC** you would come up with Rita Johnson who was appointed Premier in 1991 replacing Bill Vanderzalm.
Christy Clark elected at the second attempt.
First Nations people didn’t have the right to vote federally till 1960 . Frank Calder ( spelling from memory ) was the first treaty native to be elected anywhere in canada . Sadly not one native woman made the list .
Oh yes Rita Johnson, not Clark
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