Throughout history, women have broken barriers and made advancements across society from STEM to the arts, politics and human rights. Their achievements, voices and stories remain underrepresented in history, which is why it is so important to recognize them now.
October marks Women’s History Month in Canada, offering an opportunity for this recognition. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the critical work ahead to remove the barriers women still face today.
“So much history can be lost if no one tells the story—so that’s what I do. I tell the stories. This is my way of fighting for social change.”
- Alanis Obomsawin, documentary filmmaker, singer-songwriter and Indigenous rights activist
For centuries, our history books were written mostly by men. Women had fewer rights and opportunities; their domestic and caregiving work within the home was undervalued. The ideal woman of the Victorian era (1837-1901) was the “Angel in the House,” a passive, self-sacrificing and virtuous housewife (Coventry Patmore, 1854). Over the years, women have successfully challenged the sexism and stereotypes they have faced.
"I do not want to be the angel of any home; I want for myself what I want for other women, absolute equality. After that is secured, then men and women can take turns at being angels."
- Agnes Macphail, first woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons
Fighting for Equal Rights
Woman have fought for equal rights, gaining more opportunities for themselves and future generations. In 1916, women in Manitoba became the first in Canada to win the right to vote. In 1929, five women, Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards, won a legal victory to have women recognized as “persons” under Canadian law. This meant that women could be appointed to the Senate. October 18 is designated as Persons Day in Canada in recognition of this historic milestone.
“Women had first to convince the world that they had souls and then that they had minds and then it came on to this matter of political entity and the end is not yet.”
– Nellie McClung, novelist, teacher, social reformer, and suffragist
Women continued to make progress. In 1960, all Canadian women had the right to vote in federal elections. In 1993, Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons and Kim Campbell became the first woman prime minister of Canada.
"We must show up and be counted alongside today’s champions. We must stand up in the face of transgression and injustice. We must speak up on important matters that could use another healthy voice."
– Jean Augustine, first Black woman elected to Canada’s Parliament, serving from 1993 to 2006.
Read more about the women who have made an impact in Canada.
Looking Towards the Future
In 2012, Canada led a successful international campaign at the United Nations to establish October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child. This recognition focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face, promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
Despite real progress, women and gender-diverse individuals, especially those who are Indigenous, Black or racialized, continue to face challenges. There is more work to be done. Women are often the target of harassment and gender-based violence. The gender pay gap still exists in Canada. Women are still underrepresented in various fields such as the skilled trades and in leadership roles. A lack of affordable child care spaces is a real challenge to women’s equal participation in the workforce. At YWCA Metro Vancouver, we are passionate about addressing these barriers head-on through our advocacy and services.
- Our campaign calling on the provincial government to declare gender-based violence an epidemic was backed by over 40 organizations, businesses and anti-violence advocates. It also garnered incredible support with over 1,000 signatures on our open letter to Premier David Eby. We continue to advocate for more progress on this issue in the areas of prevention, data collection and survivor supports.
- The YWCA operates four $10-a-day child care centres and collaborated with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC to advocate for more affordable child care spaces to support working families. We are opening a fifth child care centre in 2026 at Cindy Beedie Place, which is one of our newest affordable housing buildings.
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Our second stage transitional and affordable housing options provide women and children leaving violence with a safe place to recover and thrive. We want to do more. Through our partnerships and Housing Action Fund, we are continuing to expand our housing offerings.
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The YWCA offers free employment resources and programs to support women in achieving their career goals. Our newest program, Higher Ground, aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the skilled trades.
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We raise awareness about our work and encourage women to share their stories. We continue to advocate for gender equity across society by speaking up in the media with clear calls to action.
History is a record of the past and the storytelling that shapes our future. Now, women have more opportunities to shape history and tell their own stories as historians, authors and Elders. Sharing our own stories can empower girls to become the confident leaders of the future. Women’s History Month invites us to reflect on the progress women have made and inspires us to keep building on their work as we keep moving forward in the world.
