Three Women Who Impacted Canada
By Jaira Tougas
October is Women’s History Month, a month in which we look at the women who have impacted Canada over the course of its history. This article honours the women who have challenged the status quo in their fields, advocated for women’s rights, and fought for education within communities. I chose three women who made an impact not only on their communities but also on the future of women in Alberta.
Dr. Irma LeVasseur – The first woman to become a doctor in Canada
In 2008, LeVasseur was posthumously recognized as a national historic person. LeVasseur was the first female physician licensed to practice medicine. She petitioned the Legislative Assembly for her licence. After further engagement in her medical studies, she initiated the building of multiple renowned children’s hospitals: Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montréal, the Hôpital de L’Enfant-Jésus and the Centre Cardinal-Villeneuve in Québec City. Her contributions to two hospitals and one institution, which were anchored in the rehabilitation of disabled children, are now recognized internationally. After 50 years of practicing medicine, she passed before being recognized for her advocacy, fight for women’s rights, and her work with sick children and children with disabilities.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary – The first Black Woman to be a writer/editor in North America
Growing up in Delaware, Cary’s home was a station on the Underground Railroad. After moving to Canada in the early 1850’s, she opened a school in Windsor, Ontario that was not bound by racial standards. Later, she began publishing the newspaper The Provincial Freeman. This paper strongly called for the end of slavery in North America and allowed Black Canadians to express themselves. During the latter years of the 1850s, she moved to the U.S. and worked as a recruitment agent for the Union Army. During this time, she became known as one of the most outspoken advocates for women’s suffrage. She was one of the first women to study and practice law. She is recognized today as a teacher, community activist, public speaker, lawyer, recruiting agent, newspaper editor, and writer. She is also recognized as the first Black woman newspaper publisher.
Kenojuak Ashevak – Graphic Artist who travelled the world showcasing Inuit art.
In the early 1920s, Ashevak learned traditional carving and drawing from her grandmother. She moved to Northern Canada with her husband. She was encouraged by Alma and James Houston to pursue graphic arts through their arts program. In the late 1960s, her art slowly became recognized across the globe. The distribution of her prints raised her popularity in the Art World. She is now one of the world’s most renowned artists. Her graphic art was her best work; she portrayed humans, animals, and the spirits she saw in her everyday environment (birds most often). Her drive, her passion, and her travels around the world also allowed her to be both a cultural ambassador and a role model for women.
These women advocated for the rights women have today. They were one piece in a larger movement: their struggles pushed for those to know they have a voice. These women have changed not only Canada but also the way the world has evolved.
