Women Femmes NB - October 2021

October is Women’s History Month! In this issue, we are celebrating the economic, political, and social achievements of women from our past, present and future.

Do you know a New Brunswick individual who is making a difference and advancing gender equality? Consider nominating them for our VIVE Awards!

On Monday, Oct. 11, we will join a movement of global celebration for International Day of the Girl. New Brunswick girls have the power to strengthen our communities and our province. I invite you to take this opportunity to recognize the girls in your communities by empowering them today.

Hon. Tammy Scott-Wallace

Minister Responsible for Women’s Equality

In the Spotlight
 

Did you know…

October is Women’s History month. Join the Women’s Equality Branch in celebrating the progress that has been made in advancing gender equality across Canada and internationally!

We celebrate the achievements of Canadian women during Women’s History Month. Here are a few notable New Brunswickers who have forged new paths:

• In 1875, Grace Annie Lockhart received a bachelor’s degree in Science and English Literature from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. It was the first degree awarded to a woman in Canada. 
• Mary Matilda Winslow was born in Woodstock New Brunswick and was the first Black woman to attend and graduate from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.
• Brenda Robertson, born in Sussex, New Brunswick, died in 2020. She was the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and the first woman to become a cabinet minister in the province. Robertson developed and implemented the extramural program, which was described as a hospital without walls and drew praise from across the country as an important innovation in health care.
• The Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson, P.C., O.C., Q.C. became a lawyer long before women were accepted in that profession, was the first woman Senator from the Atlantic region and the first female Speaker of the Senate. The recipient of numerous awards and honourary degrees, Senator Fergusson dedicated her life to selfless public service and tireless pursuit of social justice. To learn about important contributions of women and milestones in Canadian history, visit the Women In Canadian History: A Timeline. You can also take a look at this feature on 36 inspiring Canadian women.

The more we learn about the progress we’ve made as a country in recognizing women’s rights, the better we can identify the work that remains to be done and the better equipped we’ll be in working together to advance gender equality. Find out more about Women’s History Month here: Women's History Month - Women and Gender Equality Canada.

The United Nations dedicated International Day of the Girl Child on October 11 to celebrate the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender. Learn about International Day of the Girl Child here on the provincial and federal websites.

Persons Day on October 18 marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of persons was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. More information about the history of “Person’s Day is available online.

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