Fannie Knowling McNeil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frances Knowling McNeil
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Fannie McNeil, c. 1910
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| Born |
Frances Knowling
March 14, 1869 St. John's, Canada
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| Died | February 23, 1928 (aged 58) |
| Known for | Painting Women's Suffrage |
| Spouse(s) | Hector |
Frances "Fannie" Knowling McNeil (born March 14, 1869 – died February 23, 1928) was an important artist and a champion for women's rights. She helped women in Newfoundland get the right to vote. She was known as a "suffragist," which means someone who worked to get voting rights for women.
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Fannie's Early Life and Activism
Fannie Knowling McNeil was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her parents, George and Elizabeth Knowling, came from England. They strongly believed in equal rights for women. Fannie studied in England, where she likely learned about art. Her family was well-off, which meant they had enough money. Her father later became part of the government's law-making group.
Fannie was a very active person in her community. She fought for many important causes. These included women's rights, making sure children were safe (called child welfare), and helping people learn to read (called literacy).
Fighting for Women's Right to Vote
Fannie became a key member of Newfoundland's Women's Franchise League. This group started in 1920. Their main goal was to get women the right to vote. Fannie was the League's secretary, and their meetings were often held at her home. She gave many public speeches and wrote letters to newspapers. This made her one of the most famous suffragists in Newfoundland. At that time, Newfoundland was a "dominion," which was like a self-governing country within the British Empire.
In 1925, the Franchise League finally succeeded! Women in Newfoundland won the right to vote. This was a huge victory for Fannie and her group.
Running for Political Office
After women won the right to vote, Fannie decided to try for a political job. In 1925, she ran in the local election for St. John's. She was one of the first three women to ever seek a political office in Newfoundland. The other two women were May Kennedy and Julia Salter Earle.
Even though all three women lost the election, they made history. Julia Salter Earle came very close to winning, losing by only 11 votes. Their brave actions showed that women could and should be involved in politics.
Founding the Newfoundland Society of Art
Fannie was also a talented artist. In 1925, the same year women got the vote, she helped start something new. She and another artist, Albert Edward Harris, founded the Newfoundland Society of Art.
They started by organizing art shows. These shows displayed art made by local artists. They also brought in art from other countries. This helped people in Newfoundland see and appreciate more art.
Fannie's Family and Legacy
Fannie and her husband, Hector, had a son who sadly died as a baby. They also had two daughters. Fannie McNeil passed away from cancer on February 23, 1928. Her work helped change Newfoundland for the better. She is remembered as a pioneering artist and a strong voice for equality.
