A Scarf For Nellie

Nellie McClung was a mother, wife, teacher, temperance leader, suffragist, lecturer, politician, historian and activist.  She was born in Ontario in 1873 and moved to Manitoba when she was seven.  As she began to become an activist, she took up causes to help women during the Great Depression when women were working in terrible conditions in sweat shops.  Due in large part to her help, women in Manitoba were the first to get the vote in Canada.  I remember doing a project on the suffragists back when I was in grade school.  They famously held a mock trial that examined the premise; What if women had the vote, and were trying to deny it to men?  Why should men get the vote?  Nellie, after having been told by the governor that “Nice women don’t want to vote” did a famous portrayal of him full of humour and over the top showmanship that won the day, and left him only two more years in his political career. 

But the most famous victory came in 1929, almost 80 years ago.  Women were denied access to the senate, as the law read that only “persons” could be appointed, and women were not persons!  This had a ripple effect throughout Canadian society, the most important issue being that women could not own property.  A group of 5 famous women took on this challenge, and won, making women “persons” in the eyes of the law.

A quote from Nellie “I want to leave something behind when I go; some small legacy of truth, some word that will shine in a dark place”.  Well Nellie, you did leave something behind.  I am a woman, and I can vote for whomever I choose.  I am a person, and I can own my own house, and no husband can sell it or kick me out of it.  I can get an education, and become and engineer.  You paved the way, you made it possible.  And so I’ve made you a scarf, that is colourful, full of humour, feminine grace, and practical enough to keep me warm on a fall day.  I will wear it to work, and look fabulous:

And maybe one day, you and I can have tea and chat.  I think that would be very interesting, as I’ve wanted to get to know you since I was in grade school.  So what is one word that will shine in a dark place?  Home.