Canadian Women's Suffrage Association facts for kids
| Formation | 1877 |
|---|---|
| Type | Women's Association |
| Legal status | historic |
| Purpose | advocate and public voice, educator and network, women's suffrage in Canada |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
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Region served
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Canada |
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Official language
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English French |
The Canadian Women's Suffrage Association was an important group in Canada. It worked to gain more rights for women. This organization was first known as the Toronto Women's Literary Guild. It was based in Toronto, Ontario.
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What Was the Canadian Women's Suffrage Association?
The Canadian Women's Suffrage Association was a group of people who believed in equal rights for women. They especially fought for "suffrage," which means the right to vote. At the time, women in Canada did not have the same rights as men. This included not being able to vote in elections.
How It Started: The Toronto Women's Literary Guild
The group began in 1877. It was first called the Toronto Women's Literary Guild. Its main goal was to improve women's lives. They wanted better working conditions for women. They also pushed for women to have more opportunities.
Important Founders
Two key founders of the guild were Jessie Turnbull and Dr. Emily Howard Stowe. Emily Stowe was a very special person. She was only the second woman in Canada to become a licensed doctor. Her work showed that women could achieve great things.
Making a Difference: Early Successes
The Toronto Women's Literary Guild worked hard for its goals. They had some important successes. One big achievement was helping women get into higher education. Before this, it was very hard for women to go to university. The guild also helped women become professionals. They especially supported women who wanted to be doctors.
A New Name and a New Chapter
In 1883, the Toronto Women's Literary Guild changed its name. It became the Canadian Women's Suffrage Association. This new name showed their focus on women's right to vote. Jessie (McEwen) Turnbull became the first president of the newly named association.
What Happened Next?
After some time, the association became less active. But the fight for women's rights did not stop. In 1889, the leaders of the group started a new organization. It was called the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Association. This new group continued the important work. They kept fighting for women to have the right to vote and other equal rights.
