October’s women of note:
October 1, 1883 – Dr. Emily Stowe’s tireless work resulted in the opening of Canada’s first medical school for women.
October 18, 1929 – As a result of the determination of five Alberta women, Canadian women were legally recognized as “persons.” Therefore, women could no longer be excluded from the Senate because of their sex.
October 20, 1873 – Nellie Letitia Mooney (McClung), born in Ontario, became a notable activist, author and politician.
October 22, 1692 – Madeleine de Vercheres gained notoriety when, at the age of 16, she defended her family fort from an attack by a band of Iroquois, for eight days while her parents were away.
October 24, 1901 – Ann Taylor was age 63 when she became the first person in Canada to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
October 27, 1893 – The National Council of Women of Canada was formed by a group of 1,500 women in Toronto.
October 31, 1982 – Marguerite Bourgeoys, the founder of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, was canonized by Pope John Paul II.
Source for additional information
This Month in Canadian Herstory: October – http://www.heroines.ca/history/thismonth.html
Staring next month, Women You Should Know will become a full length column that will run once at the end of each month. Watch for the next edition at the end of November.
