On January 28, 1914, Nellie McClung starred as Manitoba’s suspender snapping and cigar smoking Premier, in a mock parliament at the Walker Theater in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
This is Post two of “Nellie week” presented by Christy Birmingham of When Women Inspire & I.
The previous day, January 27, 1914, Nellie and many women of the Political Equality League met with Premier Roblin and the legislative body to request the vote for women.
Premier Roblin condescended. He said, “I believe woman suffrage would break up the home and send women to mix up in political meetings.”
This prompted a guerilla “mock parliament” wherein women had the vote, but not men. It was added to that night’s showing of How They Won The Vote“, a play originally produced in London. It was adapted to fit Winnipeg in 1914.
Vis-a-vis this amazing mural in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Christy and I take a look at the mock parliament that changed women’s voting rights of yesterday into women’s voting rights of today, in Canada.
It featured: Nellie as a female Premier Roblin, and her daughter Florence, as a parliamentary page. As well, it showcased 2 other mother and daughter pairs.
There was Harriet Walker (Minister of Public Works) and her daughter Ruth (a parliamentary page). I am not sure which image is Mrs. Walker. Mrs. Francis Graham, below, portrayed Speaker of the House. Her daughter, Miss Alma Graham, was a Clerk.
The following text does not necessarily reflect the ensuing photographs. Dr. Mary Crawford played the Minister of Health and Education…
… Miss Kenneth Haig { Attorney General), Mrs. Lipsett-Skinner (Minister of Agriculture), Miss Francis Beynon (Leader of the Opposition) and Dorothy Milne.
Mrs. Lipsett-Skinner, pleasantly satirical, rejected a bill introducing labor-saving devices. The thought was, if men had spare time on their hands, they could start educating themselves. Next thing, they’d be petitioning for the vote.
Many men were in support of the Suffrage movement, and took part in the play. A delegation of men, headed by R.C. Skinner, came seeking suffrage privileges for the male sex. They had a slogan “We have the brains. Why not let us vote?”
To read the transcripts of the awesome “Winnipeg Free Press” review of that hilarious and historic night’s play about a mock parliament published on January 29, 1914 go to:
The Nellie McClung Foundation – Primary Sources Page – “Women Score in Drama and Debate” (4th article down) Apologies for the indirect link.
In the CBC archives from 1974 , is a video narrated by Beatrice Brighton who as a young girl attended “A Woman’s Pariament” with her mother. This is definitely worth a watch!
The third and final installment of “Nellie Week” will be posted on When Women Inspire in 2 days, on December 16.
Pics taken by Resa – October 30 , 2016
The Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
⭐ Special thanks to: Jen Mosienko, Sari Habiluk & Sharon Jonson ⭐
The Nellie McClung Foundation supports and celebrates equal rights for all human beings, regardless of sex, race or creed.
This mural at 560 Sargent Avenue is to celebrate 100 years of women voting in Manitoba
It is sponsored by: Crestview Pharmacy, Cindy Gilroy, Province of Manitoba/Sports, Culture & Heritage, Winnipeg Building and Decorating, University of Winnipeg, North American Lumber, West End BIZ, Nellie McLung Foundation, Take Pride Winnipeg, and Winnipeg Foundation
My Funny Afterthoughts
Women had bigger and better hats than men. No wonder men were threatened. (Wink!)
So many issues! It’s a wonder men ever got the vote! (Wink!)
100 years later, women still do not have pay equity to men, in Canada! (No wink)
Lastly, if you love poetry and stories visit Christy on her other blog Poetic Parfait
Graffiti Lux Art & More 
Oh Resa!!! You’ve outdone yourself – and I mean that in a great way ❤ Nellie time x 2 – and we still have Friday!! I'm loving this post and so thankful for the collaboration. BIG smile on my face 🙂 You've given Nellie a wonderful spotlight in post #2 xx
Thank you, Christy! ❤ Nellie is great history, and all Canadians should know it. Would be wonderful if the whole world knew about her. I'm so happy this mural was painted. I'm even happier that you took on "Nellie week" with me. "When Women Inspire" is a perfect place for Nellie to hang her hat, suspenders and rest that cigar!
Excited for post #3! xoxo 😀 😀
This mural is epic… I can not find another word to describe it….
Love it and great account of facts and political-social backround.
I will check out The Nellie McClung Foundation (site)—- Also, I am wondering if there is any movie or documentary to watch?… I´ll see on Netflix this week!. Hugs and congrats on this post, Resa & Christy! Excellent project and results. 😀
Thank you, dear Aquileana!
I do believe … epic… is the perfect word for this mural. Every year Winnipeg awards “Mural of the Year”. Winnipeg is very proud of its mural program. I have no doubt that this mural will take the prize for 2016. Of course we won’t know until June of 2017, but I will definitely announce it.
Not sure what/if has been made about Nellie, on her own. She must at least be featured in a documentary about Suffrage in Canada.
Let me know what you find on Netflix.
Much love, and TY for visiting Nellie week! 😀 😀
Thanks Aqui for your support and for taking time to discover more about this Canadian woman! Great about checking into Netflix and as Resa says do let us know what you discover in terms of documentary footage including her. Nellie week continues! 🙂 ❤
Reblogged this on When Women Inspire and commented:
Today Resa and I unveil post #2 of Nellie McClung week. Please head to the original post at Resa’s Graffiti Lux and Murals blog to see the Winnipeg mural of Nellie and her fellow suffragists, which has been photographed so well by Resa. Learn about the history of women’s rights in Canada and more. Thank you Resa for being such a great partner in this week-long collaboration! Our third post will publish Friday at When Women Inspire. ♥
Yay! “Nellie week” is coming together, big time!!!
Actually, I’m having more fun than one person aught to be allowed to have in a week! 😀 😀 😀
Hehe I hear you, Resa 🙂 I think we’re on Cloud 9 – I don’t want to come down!
If you are going to make a statement and use art
I can’t think of another one
Great post
Aww, thank you, Sheldon! I was thrilled when I found out about this mural. I flew to Winnipeg to visit my niece. Capturing this mural was the only other thing on my list. Of course, Sherrie made sure I captured many more. I think I shot around 20 murals.
AND… This wonderful series called “Nellie week” would never had happened without Christy & her blog “When Women Inspire”.
Christy came up with the idea of “Nellie week” when I told her about the mural.
This collaboration is being … like… amazing!!!
Thanks Resa for the kind mention. Nellie has so many accomplishments that it would be difficult to fit them all within just one post! Appreciate the support here, Sheldon 🙂
These inspiring ladies make me proud to be a Canadian woman! Also, those men were totally threatened by the big hats, haha.
TY, Lightening Ellen! I’m a proud Canadian woman, too! Our foremothers did a great job, but it’s not over, yet. Gender equality is at best … almost. The Nordic countries have the best track record. In some countries it is a non issue, cause women are getting none.
Really, in 2016 women are still struggling! Wow!
Lol, glad you got the hat joke!
Gender equality continues to be an issue world-wide. Those wonderful women, who, in those early years were subject to physical abuse, imprisonment and general defamation would be loving your visual and written tribute, Resa. Well done to both you, and our delightful Christy, for an enormous work of love and dedication.
And thank YOU Carolyn for appreciating the series from Resa and I ~ We are happy to have you with us as a woman who stands proud and strong, moving toward gender equality ❤
TY, Carolyn! We did work our little hearts out! ❤ Also, we will continue the good fight! ❤
Much love too you for your support! xoxo
This is a wonderful, profound narrative that has drama, pathos, determination, redemption. Resa and Christy – a wonderful partnership. I hope you continue your collaboration. The dynamic duo in action!
You sure have a way with words that fill me with good feelings. Big smiles, many hugs and much love to you, Rebecca! It’s crazy, but I love collaborating in our blogosphere! And TY, yes, I think Christy and I are a dynamic duo!
Christy, Aquileana & I have a triple coming up. I guess that would make us a triumphant trio.
Lol! xo
I can hardly wait, Resa! I got goosebumps when I heard you would be a trio!!!! WOW!!! Many hugs and love coming your way.
xoxoxo
This is a wonderful presentation. You have taught me so much history. I love every bit of it. A woman with a cigar, YOWSA!!! Thanks Resa!
TY, Daniel! Honestly, I learned a lot of history as well. Doing this project with Christy has been a true joy. Post 3 goes up in awhile. “Nellie week” has been a YOWSA!!
That’s a very creative way of presenting their case, and your presentation of the murals and the story behind them is very elegant. I grew up in Edmonton, and have heard about McClung now and again, but I didn’t know about the “mock parliament.” Love it!
I’m so happy you like the post! It’s a fabulous project to have worked on. This was post 2 & I hope you join Christy and I for post #3. https://whenwomeninspire.com/ Also, I will be reblogging the post here this afternoon.
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Wonderful!! This is one of the best posts of the season, congratulations Resa and Christy, thank you for this interesting tribute, full of information, about Nellie McClung.
Yours is a perfect collaboration, the results are very good !!
You are very welcome, Belén! It is really, an amazing collaboration. It is almost sad that it is over, but there are many more fun projects ahead. Tomorrow Drake & Sol get their Christmas picture taken! xo
This is an amazing piece of Canadian history, and you’ve told the story so well through your excellent photos of the mural. All five women were wonderful and deserve every praise for their tireless quest for women’s rights. This story is particularly meaningful and Nellie’s ‘costume’ a stroke of genius! Well done to both of you.
Thank you! This project has been an extraordinary experience for me. Joining forces with Christy to tell amap about Nellie & women’s rights has been very rewarding.
I’m going to second what Aquileana said. ..Epic! And I too am wondering why I haven’t seen or heard of any documentaries on that remarkable woman! Fantastic series. 🙂 ❤
I’m not sure why Canada has not made more of an ado about Nellie. There was a TV movie I found on the IMDB = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077981/?ref_=nv_sr_1 but that was made in 1978. It features archive footage, so I would like to see it! Other than that, we have a sad showing. ❤
Really! Maybe HBO should wake up? 🙂 ❤
Totally hear what you’re saying, Debby! Thanks again Resa for finding that info about the TV movie and getting us revved up to put Nellie back into the spotlight ❤
Here here! 🙂 ❤
There has got to be a solid reason no one has done a movie… or even a documentary. ?????
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