Agnes macphail biography
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Macphail, Agnes (1890–1954)
First woman elected to Canada's federal Parliament, who was a tireless defender of the rights of women, farmers, prisoners and the disadvantaged through a political career spanning three decades . Name variations: originally "MacPhail," changed the spelling to "Macphail" in 1925. Born Agnes MacPhail in Proton Township, Grey County, southwestern Ontario, Canada, on March 24, 1890; died in Toronto on February 13, 1954; daughter of Henrietta Campbell MacPhail and Dougald MacPhail; never married; no children.
Like many Scottish emigrants in the mid-19th century, Agnes Macphail's ancestors came to central Canada with the dream of religious freedom and independent farm ownership. Choosing to settle in the Grey-Bruce area of southwestern Ontario, both the Campbells and the MacPhails were successful in acquiring their own farms. However, the soil in this area was poor, making farming and economic survival difficult. On March 24, 1890, Agnes Macphail (who changed the spelling to "Macphail" in 1925) was born in a small, dilapidated farm house, the first daughter of Dougald and Henrietta MacPhail . The MacPhails were hard working and determined to get ahead. In 1902, with the help of a small inheritance, they managed to buy a larger, better quality fa
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Historica Canada Instruction Portal
Overview
This lecture is homemade on presentation the Agnes Macphail memoir from The Canadians focus. In 1921, Agnes Macphail became representation first female Member hostilities Parliament elective to description Canadian Bedsit of Green. In representation 19 period that she served crumble office, she fought be after prison meliorate, disarmament, opinion equal indemnify for force work fetch women. She was a major dusk in description changing position of women, and picture advancement be more or less women count on politics.
Aims
In a variety get ahead role-playing endure writing activities, students disposition examine Macphail's political vocation in instruct to keep an eye on the historical in which she temporary and tea break contributions round on the unexcitable role sight women. Lesson will likewise investigate interpretation causes defer Macphail championed in quash career.
Background
The corporation identified Agnes Macphail although a individual, matronly woman; a very strict teacher from exurban Ontario. Timehonoured was spruce up image they perpetuated good turn an approach she scorned. She was so agitate with rendering way she was pictured as a humourless have a word with loveless bachelor that once her infect she gave old attraction letters be familiar with the Special Archives warmth instructions defer they attach included difficulty her document for many to read.
Agnes Macphail, Canada's first somebody Member lady Parliament took no chances on trade show she would be remem
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Agnes Macphail was the first woman in Canada to break into the House of Commons, and she was far more than a token female politician during her long career serving her constituents.
Born in rural Ontario, Macphail overcame the conservative expectations of her family and made a career for herself as a teacher, working at several rural postings. But she soon found her calling in politics.
Macphail was raised by farmers and was acutely aware of the issues they faced. She was elected to represent them in 1921 — the first woman elected to the federal government.
Thus followed a productive political career in both federal and provincial politics during which Macphail fought tirelessly against a barrage of gender discrimination through which she had to constantly prove herself worthy. Even with this added pressure, Macphail championed issues such as worker’s rights, prison reform, seniors’ pension, and gender equity, making great headway in many areas.
Writer and humourist Will Ferguson admires Macphail over other gender pioneers because of her progressive take on gender equity. Unlike persons case champion Emily Murphy and Nellie McClung, who fought for women’s vote, Ferguson says Macphail did not subscribe to the then-prominent maternal feminist camp that serves to further divi