What Role Did Nellie Mcclung Play In Women's History

The last reason I believe the three provinces were able to achieve success was because they had amazing women leading the charge. Although all have their rightful places in history, I believe Nellie McClung was one of the most important and influential women in the campaign for suffrage. McClung is a very prominent figure, not just in the history of feminism, but also in Canadian history as a whole, and for a good reason. She was one of the masterminds behind the Manitoban suffrage movement, and it was largely through her efforts that Manitoba was the first province to give women the right to run for public office and vote.1 She was an impressive speaker with a sense of humour, as shown in the mock Women’s Parliament organized by the Canadian

Women’s Press Club. McClung played the part of Manitoba’s premier at the time, Sir Rodmond Roblin and her performance highlighted the ridiculousness of the arguments of those opposed to letting women vote.

This was an ingenious, yet amusing way to get a very valid point across, and is one of the most well-known events in Canadian suffrage history. While researching, I noticed how McClung was a very active member of society, and, in my opinion, a model citizen; she participated in many different organizations and associations, fought for what she believed was right, spoke out against what she thought was wrong, and worked hard. I believe it was the tireless efforts she put forth that allowed her to make such great contributions to her causes. In my honest opinion, I don’t think as much success would have been made as quickly if Nellie McClung hadn’t been so involved in her political and economic life, and the lives of her fellow women. McClung is as important to women’s suffrage in Canada as Sir John A. Macdonald is to Confederation. If she had not concerned herself with her rights as a Canadian citizen, and been so outspoken and active, I believe history would be completely different. McClung helped lay a huge part of the foundation of the suffrage movement, and without her it would not be the

same. She made her country proud when she was alive, and that pride continues on to this day in the hearts of Canadians everywhere, female or not.

Although in many ways the fight for women’s equality is still ongoing, thanks to the luck of proximity and the unwearying efforts of organizations and individuals alike, having our voice heard in the political realm in Canada is one thing feminists no longer need to fight for. The fight for suffrage, and it’s conclusion in favour of equality, was a huge step forward and showed the power of a people who can band together and persevere. The fearlessness and relentless ambition of feminists past and present is something that will be talked about for generations, whether negatively or positively, and I think it’s clear that Nellie McClung lived the mindset many modern feminists have, embodied in one simple quote - “Never retract, never explain, never apologize – get the thing done and let them howl.”2