7 October 2017
Nellie McClung Nellie Letitia McClung, (born Helen Letitia Mooney; 20 October 1873- 1 September 1951), was a Canadian women’s social activist, feminist, author, legislator and an impactful and influential person in the development of Canada’s equal rights movement. Nellie McClung was born in Chatsworth, Ontario and was raised on a farm in Souris Valley, Manitoba. Nellie was the youngest daughter of John Mooney and Letitia McCurdy. Nellie grew up in a strict Methodist household which encouraged her to challenge the question…show more content… Nellie McClung was instrumental in the struggle that led to women gaining the right to vote in Manitoba. Despite the refusal of Manitoba’s Premier R.P. Roblin, Nellie fought for her rights and conquered the right for women's rights to vote in Manitoba in 1916. Manitoba was the first province to grant women the right to vote in Provincial Elections which was due to the strong work ethic and dedicated movement that she enforced. This was prominent and forced a movement for all women to have voting rights in all provinces in years to come. Nellie McClung is perhaps most famous for being a founder and member of the Famous Five along with Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Henrietta Muir Edwards. These women were outraged and furious that women could not be appointed to the Canadian Senate because Canadian women were not considered "persons" under the law and they resiliently fought to change this. All women were finally allowed to run for the Canadian senate in 1929. Nellie McClung was also a religious activist. She believed women should be considered for the most powerful roles in religious positions. She began her battle for women's rights at the Fifth Ecumenical Methodist Conference in 1921 but faced problems from opposing both male ministers and the Women's Missionary Society. She overcame this challenge by staying committed to her movement and her drive for change in Canada. In 1936 women were able to become ministers in the methodist church. The strong suffragette faced many problems and obstacles along the way but pushed the boundaries and paved the path for the rights women have in today's
