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THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA COMMEMORATES THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
TORONTO, ONTARIO, August 20, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the National Council of Women (NCWC).
“The National Council of Women has worked tirelessly for more than a century to expand opportunities for Canadian women,” said Minister Dion. “Having the courage to break down barriers and challenge existing conventions so that women from coast to coast could participate in and influence our society, the Council paved the way for political equality and full citizenship for women throughout the nation.”
Founded in 1893, at a time when women’s voting rights in Canada were restricted to participation in a few municipal elections, the National Council of Women of Canada provided women with an alternative to the established political system. Coming together under a shared belief that women had a right and an obligation to extend their maternal influence beyond the home, the NCWC worked to unite all women in the common goal of improving family and community life, regardless of social, religious, ethnic or political affiliation.
Through their advocacy of social and health care reforms, the NCWC and its local councils helped to construct some of the principal building blocks of the Canadian postwar social safety net. The NCWC was the primary organization behind several major initiatives, including the establishment of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Mother’s Allowance and the Canadian Association of Consumers. It also played a role in the founding of the Canadian National Committee on Mental Hygiene, known today as the Canadian Mental Health Association. The Council gave women political experience in organizing, lobbying and campaigning, and promoted women’s political representation at the national, provincial and community levels. Today, the NCWC continues its work on a wide range of issues involving women, the family and community.
“Today’s designation serves to heighten our awareness of the National Council of Women of Canada as an organization of national historic significance, and to highlight the important contribution women have made – and continue to make – to improve the quality of life for all Canadians,” added Minister Dion.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of informing the public about the richness of our cultural heritage which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Ron Dale
Superintendent
Niagara National Historic Site of Canada
Parks Canada
(905)468-6600
“The National Council of Women has worked tirelessly for more than a century to expand opportunities for Canadian women,” said Minister Dion. “Having the courage to break down barriers and challenge existing conventions so that women from coast to coast could participate in and influence our society, the Council paved the way for political equality and full citizenship for women throughout the nation.”
Founded in 1893, at a time when women’s voting rights in Canada were restricted to participation in a few municipal elections, the National Council of Women of Canada provided women with an alternative to the established political system. Coming together under a shared belief that women had a right and an obligation to extend their maternal influence beyond the home, the NCWC worked to unite all women in the common goal of improving family and community life, regardless of social, religious, ethnic or political affiliation.
Through their advocacy of social and health care reforms, the NCWC and its local councils helped to construct some of the principal building blocks of the Canadian postwar social safety net. The NCWC was the primary organization behind several major initiatives, including the establishment of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Mother’s Allowance and the Canadian Association of Consumers. It also played a role in the founding of the Canadian National Committee on Mental Hygiene, known today as the Canadian Mental Health Association. The Council gave women political experience in organizing, lobbying and campaigning, and promoted women’s political representation at the national, provincial and community levels. Today, the NCWC continues its work on a wide range of issues involving women, the family and community.
“Today’s designation serves to heighten our awareness of the National Council of Women of Canada as an organization of national historic significance, and to highlight the important contribution women have made – and continue to make – to improve the quality of life for all Canadians,” added Minister Dion.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of informing the public about the richness of our cultural heritage which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Ron Dale
Superintendent
Niagara National Historic Site of Canada
Parks Canada
(905)468-6600
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
