1820 - 1913

Harriet Tubman

Born as a slave in Maryland, escapes in 1849.

Member of the Underground Railroad network.

Leads more than 300 other slaves to freedom.

During the Civil War is a scout for the Union Army.

A leading suffragette up until her death.

1823 - 1893

Mary Ann Shadd (Cary)

Born 1823 as a free American black woman.

Emigrates to Windsor, Ontario in 1851, opens a school for fugitives’ children.

In 1853, is first black woman in North America to found a weekly newspaper - Provincial Freedom.  

Returns to the U.S.  At 60 graduates as only one of two black women lawyers in America.

A committed suffragette, first Black woman ever to cast a vote in a federal U.S. election.

1870s

North American women give birth to a new movement – the first stage of feminism.

Women volunteer to create parks and improve public health.

Women form “Temperance Movement”  and advocate prohibition of alcohol.

Political organizing skills later turned to advocacy for women’s right to vote.

1870s – Women’s Suffrage

The Women’s Suffrage Movement calls on Canadian government to extend vote to all women.

Prior to suffrage movement only women with property could vote.

Throughout Canada, women from many sectors mobilize for their right to vote

1875

Grace Annie Lockhart

Graduates from Mount Allison University as first woman in the British Empire
to earn a university degree.

1876

Dr. Emily Stowe

Pioneer physician, first Canadian woman doctor to practice in Canada.

Created Canada’s first suffrage group.

 

1897

Clara Brett Martin

First woman to practice law in Canada and the entire British Empire.

Overcame opposition to women lawyers on grounds that feminine attributes
could unduly sway judges and juries.

Lobbied to overturn Law Society of Upper Canada regulations that barred
women lawyers because only “persons” could be admitted.