Strong Girls, Strong Canada: Leaders from the Start
Canada celebrates Women's History Month 2012 and the first-ever International Day of the Girl
October is Women's History Month in Canada, an opportunity for Canadians to educate themselves about women's and girls' valuable contributions to our country's history – and to the quality of our lives in the 21st century.
The world's first International Day of the Girl provided the inspiration for Women's History Month 2012. Throughout October, Canadians will have the opportunity to learn about girls' contributions to our country, as well as the challenges and opportunities they have faced, from the earliest days to the present.
The theme for Women's History Month 2012 recognizes the important roles that Canadian girls have played as leaders and innovators throughout our history. From community activists to hockey players, entrepreneurs and inventors, girls have been Leaders from the Start.
There is also a growing recognition around the world that support for girls and their basic human rights is a vital ingredient in healthy communities. In other words, Strong Girls will help build a Strong Canada, one that is safe, innovative and prosperous.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations declared October 11, 2012, the world's first International Day of the Girl. This day aims to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women as citizens and powerful voices for change within their families, their communities and their nations. The Government of Canada led the international community in establishing this day.
Read on for more information on this year's theme and suggestions for commemorative activities.
Throughout history, women have left few records of their lives. For those who did, many of their stories have been forgotten. This is particularly true for the stories of Canadian girls.1
Yet the lives of girls, as children and as future women, are closely linked to our social fabric; they both reflect and influence life in our communities.2 As Canadian historian Norah L. Lewis wrote:
... historians have put the lie to notions that women ... have no history. More recently, they have discovered that childhood also has a history ... Not only does childhood have a history, but children have historical voice.3
Lewis went on to assert that "[c]hildren both make and participate in history. Until recently, however, their role has been largely ignored by historians."
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It makes sense, therefore, to fill in the gaps in our history by exploring and sharing the roles and achievements of Canadian girls. In doing so, we can also explore the challenges and opportunities girls have faced that are different from those facing boys.
Finally, focusing on the historic contributions of girls in the same month as the first annual International Day of the Girl is a serendipitous opportunity that is too good to miss! It's high time to celebrate Strong Girls, Strong Canada: Leaders from the Start!
Click here to download all of the biographies in 1 PDF file (2,280 kB).*
Photo credit: Website Historical Narratives of Early Canada
Name: Anne Elinor Prevost
Date: 1795 – unknown
Role: Diarist
Girlhood achievement: Kept journals of the War of 1812!
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Photo credit: Geoff Butler (from Heroes of Isle aux Morts by Alice Walsh)
Name: Ann Harvey
Date: 1811 - 1845
Role: Heroine
Girlhood achievement: Rescuing 168 passengers from a sinking ship
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Book cover photo: Eleanora's Diary by Caroline Parry
Name: Eleanora "Nora" Hallen
Date: 1823 - 1846
Role: Pioneer, Journalist
Girlhood achievement: Chronicling the experiences of a girl in Canadian history!
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Name: Charlotte De Grassi and Cornelia De Grassi
Date: 1823 –1872 and 1825 –1885 respectively
Role: Heroines, Spies
Girlhood achievement: Helping the Loyalists stop the 1837 Rebellion!
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Photo credit: Library and Archives Canada
Name: Portia May White
Date: 1911 - 1968
Role: Classical singer, teacher
Girlhood achievement: Paving the way for women in music!
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Photo credit: http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/robi.html
Name: Alice Robitaille - stage name Alys Robi
Date: 1923 – 2011
Role: Singer, translator of Latin American songs
Girlhood achievement: Hosted her own radio show, performed on military bases across Canada!
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Photo credit: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/hockey/kids
Name: Abigail "Abby" Hoffman
Date: Born 1947
Role: Hockey pioneer, Olympian, activist
Girlhood achievement: Advancing equality for women and girls in sport and beyond!
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Photo credit: http://leaclermontdion.com/biography/
Name: Léa Clermont-Dion
Date: Born in 1991
Role: Feminist, advocate, blogger, political science student
Girlhood achievement: Advancement of the equality of women and girls in the media
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Photo credit: Éric Labbé, Le Soleil
Name: Marie-Philip Poulin
Date: Born 1991
Role: Hockey superstar, mentor, student Girlhood achievement: High-scoring, medal-winning hockey player!
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Photo credit: http://edenfull.ca/about/
Name: Eden Full
Date: Born 1992
Role: Engineer
Girlhood achievement: Invented the SunSaluter to improve energy accessibility
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Photo credit: Alaina Podmorow
Name: Alaina Podmorow
Date: Born 1997
Role: Human rights activist
Girlhood achievement: Founder of Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan
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View the Biography in PDF format (966 kB).*
Photo credit: Marco Campanozzi, La Presse
Name: Ophélie Langevin
Date: Born 2002
Role: Entrepreneur, activist
Girlhood achievement: President of her own company at age 10!
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View the Biography in PDF format (966 kB).*
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Suggestions for Women's History Month 2012