(1890-1954) Agnes Campbell Macphail deserves to have a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame. Agnes has shown that she is a good candidate as she is a well known Canadian through her many accomplishments of supporting local Canadian citizens and standing up for their rights and becoming a public voice, winning a nation wide governmental election and standing up for women’s rights in Canada.
Agnes Macphail is a Canadian legend and deserves a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame because she was the first Woman to be elected to the House of Commons. Agnes started as a school teacher, learning about politics in her spare time. When she retired from teaching, Agnes joined the United Farmers of Ontario. Through this political organization she gained recognition around Canada representing farmers and women in speeches dedicated to making people aware of the working conditions, rates of pay and other issues within the provinces. Through this local recognition she gained national recognition when she became the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons.
Agnes Macphail should be on the Canadian Walk of Fame because she was an active member of Parliament for 14 years. Agnes stood for many different issues regarding old age pensions and better working conditions however, her main focus was equality for women / women’s rights. In her years in Parliament, she managed to make some progress within these issues. Agnes was also a leading member of the formation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and a member of the Ontario Legislature. She founded the Elizabeth Fry Foundation that helps women and girls with legal troubles. Agnes also championed legislation that mandated equal pay for equal work for Ontario women. She also championed the rights of miners and prisoners and played a role in the political negotiations that lead to the 1926 introduction of old-age pensions.
Agnes Macphail