Power Rocks and Poetry

On April 26, 2017July 26, 2019 By ResaIn Kids' Month Tys 2017, Mandy van Leeuwen11 Comments

In February, 2014, a team of Canadian Women won Curling gold at the Sochi Olympics. In March of 2017 Christy Birmingham wrote “Wolf”, for Kids’ Month.

Artists: Mandy van Leuuwen & Michael St. Hilaire

They all inspire me.

So, let me introduce you to everyone, starting with the winning curling team.

Jennifer Jones – Skip

Artists: Mandy van Leeuwen & Michael St. Hilaire

Kaitlyn Lawes – Third

Jill Officer – Second

Dawn McEwan – Lead

Kristen Wall – Alternate

Coach – Janet Arnott

Pics taken by Resa – November 1, 2016

Winnipeg, Canada

⭐ For those of you not already familiar with Christy Birmingham, here’s Christy! ⭐

Thank you Christy for writing “Wolf” for Kids’ Month. It meant a lot to me! I’ve always enjoyed your writing talent and your blog, Poetic Parfait.

When you began your second blog, When Women Inspire, I discovered a place of sisterhood, that I love to this day!

Christy is busy penning her first novel. In the meantime, she has 2 books of poetry on the market.

Click on either cover and you will be taken to where you can buy a copy!

The Artists of the mural:

A Women’s Parliament

On December 14, 2016July 26, 2019 By ResaIn Mandy van Leeuwen, Murals38 Comments

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?”

The men’s case was ardently presented. The bill was effectively thwarted by Premier McClung, in the same vein (but with comedic overtone) that she and the Women’s Equality League had been dissed the day before.

The audience howled in delight.

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!

Although Nellie and her family had moved to Edmonton, she returned to Manitoba to campaign for Liberal leader T. C. Norris in the August 1915 election. He defeated Premier Roblin. On January 28, 1916 Norris delivered his promise, granting full suffrage to the women of Manitoba.

The third and final installment of “Nellie Week” will be posted on When Women Inspire in 2 days, on December 16.

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen – Photo & adjustment by Resa

Pics taken by Resa – October 30 , 2016

Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Murals of Winnipeg

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

Stained Glass

On January 28, 2016July 26, 2019 By ResaIn Mandy van Leeuwen22 Comments

This appealing mural is inspired by stained glass.

It wraps 2 partial sides and the front of an art store.

I’m showing it left to right. Above is a bit from the first corner turning onto the front of the store.

The woman above, and below make up the front.

Turning the last corner,

we find another woman reflecting at the water’s edge.

Pics taken by: Resa – November 4, 2014

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The Murals of Winnipeg

Thank you, Mandy!

Rainbow Beauty, Too

On February 18, 2013July 26, 2019 By ResaIn Mandy van Leeuwen, Murals14 Comments

This is not the best shot I took of these Rainbow Beauties that grace Rainbow Stage, but I inadvertently captured their reflections in a puddle. I love it!

Artists: Michel Saint Hilaire, Mandy van Leeuwen

They are so gorgeous that I am dedicating a Post to each one. Here is “Rainbow Beauty, Too”

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All shots taken by Resa, on October 06, 2012

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Mural of the year: 2011

The Murals of Winnipeg

Rainbow Beauty One

On February 16, 2013July 26, 2019 By ResaIn Mandy van Leeuwen, Murals20 Comments

There’s an outdoor theater in Winnipeg called Rainbow Stage. The entire exterior is one ginormous mural. Part of the mural is two drama masked beauties that I couldn’t stop photographing.