Francis Marion Beynon facts for kids

Francis Marion Beynon (born May 26, 1884 – died October 5, 1951) was an important Canadian journalist. She was also a strong supporter of women's rights (a feminist) and someone who believed in peace (a pacifist). She is well-known for her novel, Aleta Day, which was published in 1919.

Early Life and Education

Francis Marion Beynon was born in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, on May 26, 1884. Her parents were James Barnes Beynon and Rebecca Manning Beynon. In 1889, when Francis was a child, her family moved to Manitoba. They started a farm in the Hartney area.

Francis earned a teaching certificate. She worked as a teacher near Carman for some time.

Becoming an Activist

Around 1909, Francis and her sister, Lillian Beynon Thomas, moved to Winnipeg. Francis found a job in the advertising department of the T. Eaton Company, a large department store. Both sisters became very active in fighting for important changes.

They worked to get women the right to vote, which is called women's suffrage. They also wanted changes to laws about property rights for women (dower legislation). Another goal was to allow women to claim land for farming, known as homesteading.

Working for the Grain Growers' Guide

From 1912 to 1917, Beynon was the editor of the women's page for the Grain Growers' Guide newspaper. This section was called "The Country Homemaker's Page" and "The Sunshine Guild." She also wrote for the children's pages using the name "Dixie Patton." She even wrote an anonymous column called "Country Girl's Ideas."

Through these pages, she talked about women's suffrage and women's roles. She also discussed marriage and family life.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Beynon and her sister helped start the Quill Club and the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian Women's Press Club. Francis was also a key organizer of the Manitoba Political Equality League. This group led the fight for women's right to vote in Manitoba.

Beynon was a "social feminist." This meant she believed women should take care of their homes and children. However, she also felt women should have equal chances for education and property rights. She thought women should be able to discuss political issues freely. She believed husbands and wives should share responsibilities and successes.

During World War I

During World War I (1914–1918), Beynon had strong opinions. She supported giving all immigrants the right to vote. She was against forcing people to join the army (conscription) unless the public voted on it. She believed these important issues should be openly discussed.

Francis, her sister Lillian, Nellie McClung, and Ella Cora Hind worked together. They helped defeat the Manitoba government led by Rodmond Roblin in 1915. Their efforts helped ensure that the new leader, Tobias Norris, gave women full voting rights in provincial elections starting in 1916.

Later Years and Legacy

In June 1917, Beynon left Winnipeg and moved to New York City. Some people say she left because her strong views caused disagreements with the newspaper's editor. However, the editor had given her a lot of freedom. He even continued to publish her articles for several weeks after she left.

Francis spent most of the rest of her life in the United States. In 1919, she published her novel, Aleta Day. This book was partly based on her own life experiences.

She lived in Providence, Rhode Island, for a while. Then, from 1922 to 1951, she lived in New York. In New York, she and her sister worked at the Seamen's Church Institute. This was a mission that helped sailors. From 1922 to 1925, she edited the mission's journal, The Lookout. She may have also worked as a freelance writer using the name "Ginty Beynon."

In 1951, Francis Beynon returned to Canada. She died in Winnipeg on October 5, 1951. She was buried in Brookside Cemetery.

Francis Marion Beynon and Nellie McClung are characters in a play called The Fighting Days by Wendy Lill.