Trailblazers
THE MANITOBA 150
WOMEN
Nellie McClung was an orator and an entertainer; she was an author and an advocate; she was a teacher and a legislator. She was a prairie woman who used her talents, determination and energy to bring about change in society. She was a Trailblazer.
ABOUT
The Manitoba 150
Women Trailblazers
In partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press, the Nellie McClung Foundation is proud to introduce the 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazer Awards, an opportunity to salute the contributions that Manitoba woman have made to social justice, arts, sports, politics, community activities and promoting democracy while developing this great province.
These Trailblazer Awards will honour Nellie McClung’s vision by recognizing the spirit of her life’s work being advanced by women leaders of today or throughout Manitoba’s history. The 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazers will be officially announced on January 28th, 2021, the 105th Anniversary of most Manitoba women being the first in Canada to receive the right to vote.
Unfortunately, due to the the unforeseen circumstances, we find ourselves in and the restrictions presented placed by COVID-19, we will be unable to host an in-person event as originally planned.
We still aim to publicly recognize the great accomplishments of all of the award recipients along with the names of those who were nominated and will do so through a virtual book. The virtual book will also feature all of the women nominated and will be available on our website, nelliemcclungfoundation.com.
THE NELLIE MCCLUNG FOUNDATION PRESENTS
The 150 Manitoba
Women Trailblazers
Virtual Book
About the Book
We are honoured to present The 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazer awards, a Manitoba150 project celebrating MB trailblazing women who have left their footprint on our province’s history over the past 150 years. These women were nominated by members of their communities because they were first in their field or had a significant impact in their profession or community. There is no doubt that many of these women in our past have, at different times, held views that do not accord with today’s views. Learning the history of these trailblazing women helps us gain a greater understanding of the challenges they faced to risk and defy the status quo at the time, yet inspire greater love, compassion and learning for misunderstandings and imperfections for future generations. Nonetheless, the purpose of this project was to acknowledge the contribution of women, many of whom are unknown, to the development of our province.
Over 350 women were nominated and 150 were chosen by an independent panel based on the following criteria:
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Worked or volunteered or played a role that was first in their field or had significant impact or outcome on society in Manitoba;
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Demonstrated leadership and acted as a role model;
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Reflected the spirit of Nellie McClung;
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Worked/lived for a significant part of their lives in the territory that is now called Manitoba.
The Trailblazers come from various backgrounds and unique experiences. They are a product of the era in which they lived. We can be astounded by their fortitude and endurance and/or critical of their actions and choices. They were, however, trailblazers: persons who made new tracks through ‘wild country’ – be it guiding the voyageurs, growing families and communities, cracking glass ceilings or establishing their presence in political decision making. They are our history – and they are an important part of who we are as a province.
Their contributions are to events in history and to contemporary society in social justice, arts, sports, politics, community activities and promoting democracy and which are woven through the fabric of this province.
These Trailblazers leave a legacy for future generations. They were the steppingstones that have contributed to women today being better able to gain full equality. It is our hope that they provide inspiration and courage to other women and girls to know that they too can make a difference.
- The Nellie McClung Foundation
Acknowledgments
The Nellie McClung Foundation wishes to thank the nominators for their hard work in compiling all of the nominations. All recipient profiles and images were provided by the nominators.
We would also like to thank both Shannon Sampert and Catherine Mitchell for their editing of the profiles.
A special thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for their assistance in the nomination process and to the selection committee for selecting the recipients.
The translation of this book was made possible through two generous grants from the Province of Manitoba Francophone Affairs, as well as Sport, Culture and Heritage. We would like to thank Catherine Dulude from Ardoise & Co for translating the book.
We would like to thank our sponsors Manitoba150 and TD Bank, without their generous support this book would not have been possible.
PRESENTING
THE 150 MANITOBA WOMEN TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENTS
INDIVIDUALS
Angelique and Marguerite Nolin
Bonnie Korzeniowski, B.S.W, MSc.A
Carol Shields, C.C., O.M., F.R.S.C.
Clara Hughes, O.C., O.M., M.S.C., OLY
Clarissa (Chriss) May Joyce Tetlock
Corrine Joan Scott, O.M., M.B.A.
Debora Durnin-Richards, PHEc, M.Ed.
Dr. Helen Glass O.C., O.M., Ed.D., LL.D., Hon. D.Sc.
Dr. Isabel G. Auld, C.M., LL.D
Dr. Jennifer Shay, O.C., Ph.D.
Dr. June James, O.M., Hon DIP(RRC) , BSC., BSC (med), M.D , FRCPC.
Dr. Margaret Stovel McWilliams
Dr. Noralou P. Roos, O.C., Ph.D.
Dr. Rayleen De Luca, C.M., O.M.
Elder Ruth Elaine Christie, LL.D.
Evelyn Hart, C.C., O.M., F.R.S.C.
Florence Edith McTavish Rogers
Hon. Janis Gundrun Johnson, C.M.
Hon. Pearl McGonigal, C.M., O.M.
Hon. Sharon Carstairs, P.C., C.M.
Isabel Ross MacLean Hunt, LL.B
Kathleen M. Richardson, C.C., O.M. , LL.D.
Leanne Boyd, BSW, MSW, RSW
Margret Jonsdottir Benedictsson
Mary Dyma, O.C.
Muriel Smith, O.C., O.M., LL.D.
Senator Marilou McPhedran, CM, LL.M., LL.B., LL.D.
Senator Mary Jane McCallum, D.M.D.
Senator Patricia Bovey, FRSA, FCMA
Senator Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M.
Sophie May "Diamond Queen" Ryan
Susan A. Thompson, O.M., LL.D.
Tannis Richardson, C.M., LL.D.
The Very Reverend the Hon. Lois M. Wilson, C.C., OOnt
GROUPS
Council of Women of Winnipeg Inc.
Founders of the Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association - Isabel Richard and 11 others
Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA)
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC)
(including founding member Bette Mueller)
University Women's Club of Winnipeg
RELIGIOUS ORDERS/ORDRES RELIGIEUX
Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns)
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
Sister Carol Peloquin, SNJM, C.M.
Sister Geraldine MacNamara, SNJM, C.M., LL.B.
RECOGNIZING
ALL 150 MANITOBA WOMEN TRAILBLAZER NOMINEES
Anna Maynard
Anna Negrych
Annette Saint-Pierre, C.M.
Arlene Wilson
Ashley Richard
Barbara Biggar
Beatrice Mosionier
Beatrice St. Amant
Berenice Sisler
Bintou Sacko
Blandine Tona
Brenda Arakaza
Brenlee Carrington Trepel, LL.B.
Brigette Lacquette, OLY
Catherine Kerr
Cathy Hiller
Cécile Mulaire
Cindy Klassen, O.M., OLY
Colleen Cutschall
Colleen Sklar
Diane Gray
Donna Miller, Q.C., LL.B.
Dorothy Livesay, O.C., O.B.C., F.R.S.C.
Dr. Anna Stokke, Ph.D.
Dr. Anne Smigel, Hon. LL.D.
Dr. Cynthia Grant, Ph.D.
Dr. Darlene Wight, M.A., D.Litt.
Dr. Di Brandt, Ph.D.
Dr. Diane McGifford, Ph.D.
Dr. Donalda (Dina) Huggins M.D.
Dr. Ethel McPhail, M.D.
Dr. Flordeliz Gigi Osler, M.D.
Dr. Grace Ann Stewart, Ph.D.
Dr. Halimatou Ba, Ph.D.
Dr. Jaime Cidro, Ph.D.
Dr. Julie Nagam, Ph.D.
Dr. Linda J. Malcomson, Ph.D.
Dr. Lise Gaboury-Diallo, C.M., Ph.D.
Dr. Margaret Newton, Ph.D., FRSC, LL.D.
Dr. Marjorie Anderson, Ph.D.
Dr. Marlyn Cook, M.D.
Dr. Mary Jane Logan McCallum, Ph.D.
Dr. Olva Odlum
Dr. Reeni Soni, M.D.
Dr. Sandra Kirby, O.C., OLY
Dr. Sara Israels, O.M., M.D.
Dr. Sheila Dresden
Dr. Tabitha Wood, Ph.D.
Dr. Tracie Afifi, Ph.D.
Dr. Ursilla McAlister Macdonnell, Ph.D.
Edythe Millicent Brown Ehrlich
Eileen Charlotte Collins, O.M.
Eleonore Phillibert
Elise Harrer Vane
Elizabeth Dafoe
Emilie Ross (née Poitras)
Ethel Mary (Playfair) Harrison
Evelyn Wawryshyn Moroz
Evelyne Anderson
Frances Gunn
Gail Freeman-Campbell
Gail Serena Singer
Germaine Krawzuk
Grace Eiko Thomson
Gudrun Jónsdóttir Storm
Gudrun Skulason
Gwen Hoebig
H2O Academy Co-Founders Kaley Maksymyk & Krista Morden
Heather Robertson
Heather Whittaker
Helen M. Powell
Helena Penner Hiebert
Hilda Klassen
Holmfridur Danielson
Honourable Candice Bergen, P.C., MP
Honourable JoAnne Buth
Hortense Rabet
Hrund Skulason
Ida Carriere
Jane MacLatchy
Janine Tougas
Jennifer Hofer
Jennifer Saunders
Jessie McDermott
Joan (Sigrid) Johnson
Joan Hibbert
Johanna Seier
Josephine Hogg Campbell
Judge Mary A. Wawrykow, Q.C., LL.B.
Judith Chambers
Judith Weiszman, P. Eng
Judy Peake
June Westbury
Kal Barteski
Katharina Thiessen
Katherena Vermette
Kathryn (Kathy) June Hamelin
Katrina Leclerc
Laura Ealing
Laura Goodman Salverson
Leah Hextall
Leila Castro
Leonore Saunders, O.M.
Letitia Hargrave
Lillian Gibbons
Lillian James
Lillian Vilborg Bjarnason MacPherson, LL.B., M.L.I.S.
Lisa Meeches, C.M., O.M.
Loreena McKennitt, C.M., O.M., C.D.
Loréna Aglae “Dollee” Chevrier
Lorena Mitchell
Louise Habimana Uwera
Lucille Cenerini
Lydia Pajunen
Lynn Sissons
Mabel Josephine Wardrop
Manie Tobie (pen name for Thérèse Goulet-Courchaine)
Margaret Ann Scott
Margaret Bloodworth, C.M., LL.B.
Margaret June Kenter
Margaret Laurence, C.C., LL.D.
Margaret Sweatman, M.A.
Maria Vogt
Marie Benoist-Gallays
Mariette Mulaire, C.I.M., C.I.T.P.
Martha Ruth Brooks
Mary Barrett Speechly, LL.D.
Mary Dopson
Mary Gowler
Mary Riter Hamilton
Mary Sawka
Maude Bisset
Maxine Critch
Meeka Walsh, C.M.
Millie Lamb
Miriam Toews, O.M., Hon. D.C.L., D.Litt.,
Nahanni Fontaine, MLA
Neila Premachuk, O.M.
Nicole Bremault
Parusia Purohit, N.P.
Pauline Boutal, C.M.
Reeve Lori Schellekens
Renee Kaplan
Rhonda Head
Roxy Freedman
Ruth Waterman Rubinstein
Ruthanne Dyck
Sandra Hodzic, M.B.A., M.P.A.
Sara Usman
Sarah Malabar
Sharron Zenith Corne
Shirley Elias
Shirley Richardson
Sigurros Vidal
Skylar Park
Sonja Bejzyk, S.M.V.
Sophia Thomas Mason
Sophie Gaulin
Speaker Devi Sharma, Winnipeg City Councillor
Sue Boreskie
Susan Auch, OLY
Teresa Dukes
Teresa Rogers
The Honourable Ruth Krindle, LL.D., LL.B.
Thelma Alma Wynne
Trailblazing women at the University of Manitoba/Femmes pionnières à l’Université du Manitoba
Venla Hovi, OLY
Vera Derenchuk
Vera Lysenko
Violet Irene Guymer (née Poynter)
Wanda Koop, C.M., O.M., LL.D., D.F.A., D.Litt., R.C.A.
Wendy Pongoski
Winnifred Van Slyck, C.M.
TRAILBLAZER
Nominations
Purpose
This is a call to nominate Manitoba women who were Trailblazers: women who were first in their field or who through their work, had a significant impact on their field or community.
Eligibility
A woman, or a collective of women, who have made an impact on the development of Manitoba.
Nominees must have:
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Worked or volunteered or played a role that was first in their field or had significant impact or outcome on society in Manitoba
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Demonstrated leadership and acted as a role model
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Reflected the spirit of Nellie McClung
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Worked/lived for a significant part of their lives in the territory that is now called Manitoba (please verify this in the application)
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Nominee (if alive) must agree to nomination
Not Eligible:
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Women who will be participating in the selection process
Who can nominate:
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Anyone can nominate
Proof
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Oral history and accounts
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Personal diaries
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Family genealogies
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History books
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Government records
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Newspapers
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Community Club minutes, other meeting minutes
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Birth records
Deadline
NOMINATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.
We would like to thank all those who provided nominees for the Nellie McClung Foundation’s 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazer Awards.
We are pleased to announce that we received over 350 nominations.
The Nellie McClung Foundation, in partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press, have put in place a third-party selection committee who will undertake the review of all nomination.
Successful nominators/nominees will be notified by email, January 2021.
All nominees will be recognized in a book and showcased at the Manitoba Museum in a temporary exhibit open to the public dates to be confirmed.
