Canadian history brims with examples of women and girls who have stepped up to fight the status quo and build a better country for women. Their impacts can be seen and felt across all sectors and areas of society from the arts and sciences to politics and human rights.
This year's theme for Women's History Month in Canada 鈥� 鈥斕齛cknowledges the power strong female role models have in influencing and inspiring future generations of women.
Some of these trailblazers got their start or made a mark right here at pilipili漫画. Below, we showcase five such individuals 鈥� each with their own distinct area of impact. All of these women were included as part of the Dalhousie Originals series, a signature storytelling project of the university鈥檚 200th anniversary in 2018 that highlighted 52 different individuals who inspired, strengthened and at times challenged their university, their communities, their fields of study, and the broader world.
Here we encourage you to visit 鈥斕齩r revisit! 鈥� these Dal Originals and be reminded of the courage, creativity and drive they have shown in their lives and work and how they helped pave the way and inspire other women.
Wanda Thomas Bernard 听
First Female African Nova Scotian Canadian Senator, Social Work Researcher, Anti-Racism Advocate
Dalhousie Originals profile:听Wanda Thomas Bernard
Audio:听
"My entire social work career has really been about trying to facilitate change, working towards change鈥� change for and with the people we鈥檙e working with, but also in systems and structures, and in teaching and the way we teach and what we teach.鈥�
Kathryn D. Sullivan
First U.S. Woman to Walk in Space, Researcher, Dal Alumnus
Dalhousie Originals profile: Kathryn D. Sullivan
Audio:
"To get to see Earth with my own eyes, from that vantage point 鈥� the same one I鈥檇 seen in all the cool pictures in听National Geographic听and on television growing up 鈥攖hat was irresistible."
Carolyn Savoy (1947-2015)
Award-Winning Tigers Coach, Influential Academic, Mentor
Dalhousie Originals profile: Carolyn Savoy
鈥淚'm not a maker of basketball players, but a maker of people."
Constance Glube (1931-2016)
Canada's First Female Chief Justice, Trailblazer for Women in Law, Dal Alumnus
Dalhousie Originals profile: Constance Glube
The Courts of Nova Scotia:
鈥淚 worked hard because I just adored it.鈥�
Eliza Ritchie (1856-1933)
One of Dal's Earliest Female Graduates, First Woman Appointed to Dal's Board of Governors, Feminist Community Leader
Dalhousie Originals profile: Eliza Ritchie
Learn more听about other women showcased as part of the Dalhousie Originals series.