Anna M.

Nellie's Impact

Anna M.
Historical Thinking Symposium
Winnipeg, MB

Nellie McClung was a writer, public speaker, activist, maternal feminist, teacher, mother, wife, MLA for Edmonton, and most notably a woman who was not afraid to speak up and fight for what she believed to be right. She was born in 1873, a time where women were made to rely on their husbands and fathers to live their lives; women were seen as less than. Nellie spoke at over four hundred public meetings, and the three times she was paid, she donated all the money to charities. She published 16 books over her life, mainly fiction along with a couple autobiographies. Nellie McClung was also part of the Famous Five, who fought for women to be viewed as persons in the eyes of the law. Nellie faced controversy due to her maternal feminism, belief in traditional gender roles, and support of eugenics. Though these ideas are outdated today, during Nellie’s time, they were the norm. I believe that the controversy around outdated ideas shows that we as feminists have outgrown the prickly roots of the movement, and also shows how fortunate we are to live in a time where we can have these different ideas and more rights. Due to Nellie’s tireless work in activism, I, a girl, can have a voice, a vote, a passion and a dream bigger than being tied to a man. In spite of her controversy, I and other Canadian women and girls can look to Nellie McClung as a role model for unapologetically, gracefully, and humorously delivered feminism. Nellie McClung passed away in 1951, leaving behind a legacy as a part of the beginnings of women’s rights activism in Canada. I am continually inspired by her work, attitude, and her unapologetic authenticity. 

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

I used mainly online resources, along with a couple books from my school library. The books from my library were a lot more detailed, whereas the online articles included a lot more about her work in politics. Some online articles referred to Nellie as more of a controversial historical figure than a feminist or activist, and some did the opposite. 

What is the historical significance of your topic?

During Nellie McClung's time, a fiery and passionate figure was really great in building the feminist movement in Manitoba and throughout Canada, as there weren't many people fighting for women's rights. Today, Nellie McClung is part of the reason women can vote in Manitoba, and also part of why women throughout Canada are recognized as people in the eyes of the law. 

Why did you choose this topic? 

As a girl, I've always experienced the unspoken inequality of men and women. As a small child, I remember being told by my male peers to "go make them a sandwich" or "go back to the kitchen". Due to my experiences with sexism, I gravitated toward an icon of women's rights, as I knew I could make a personal connection with my project which was very important to me. Once I read about Nellie McClung's work and her as a person, I quickly knew that I wanted to learn more about her and her impact on women.