Born: October 20, 1873
Died: September 1, 1951
Place of Birth: Chatsworth, Ontario
Major Notes:
Nellie McClung moved to Manitoba at the age of seven and began teaching in a rural school when she was only sixteen.
Actively involved with students, even to the point of playing football with them, McClung's efforts were rewarded by winning parental support.
She used charm, humor, and gifted oratory to support her causes.
McClung, working with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, fought for the prohibition of alcohol.
She felt, however, that the secret for women to achieve in any cause necessitated that they first have the right to vote.
In the early 1900's McClung led the women of Manitoba to become the first in Canada to win the right to vote.
McClung had a successful novel released in 1908, "Sowing Seeds in Danny", the first of several books she was to write.
Her books tended to reflect the times and life of the Prairies.
In 1915, the McClung family moved to Alberta and McClung continued her activist role with several organizations.
McClung was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1921 and served for five years.
She was one of the founding members of the Political Equality League.
McClung achieved respect by being one of the most influential social activists in Canada's history.
Throughout Canada, United States, and England McClung promoted married women's property rights, better care for school children and mother's allowances.
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