Stories

In 1943, skilled pilot Margaret Littlewood, rejected by the RCAF for being a woman, became the only woman Link Trainer instructor in Canada. Hired by aviation pioneer Wop May at Edmonton’s Air Observer School, she trained 150 pilots, overcame sexism, and later earned Canada’s highest pilot licence—helping pave the way for future women in aviation.

Velva Thompson - a teacher who made history in 1943 when she refused to quit teaching after getting married (a school board policy at the time). Thompson was the first to actually claim the right that was given on paper (for non-discrimination). Thus, showing how our legislation and nice words about equality only have meaning if people are brave enough to take a stand and fight for them. 

"Her fight was for beauty, for life, for all of Edmonton’s natural spaces, which are threatened over and over again... urging us to defend the river valley and its ravines, Edmonton’s crown jewels."

"Fahlman was proud of her faith in Islam and the work that she did to help Muslim women and girls. But she was also a “passionate advocate of interfaith dialogue” who travelled the world helping to build a network of respectful, intercultural exchange between different religious groups."

“Since this is the first time I have run for city office,’ she said that evening, ‘it is almost too much to expect to be elected... But if I have led the way for other women to take active part in civic affairs, I have accomplished one of my objects."

"All told, Doctor Anne wrote nearly 100 publications.The jewel in her literary crown was her dictionary. In 1975, she translated a 38,000-word English dictionary into Cree, creating Dr. Anne Anderson’s Metis Cree Dictionary, one of the most comprehensive catalogues of the language ever assembled."

And Nellie did fight, moving to Edmonton and founding an advocacy group called Indian Rights for Indian Women (IRIW) with a handful of other disinherited Indigenous women. These included her cousin Kathleen Steinhauer, Jenny Margetts, Philomena Ross, and several others.

What began with a small group of families around 95th Avenue soon spread north and south along 148th Street, producing bigger and brighter displays and involving dozens of neighbours. The whole community embraced the idea...

"Eda climbed the tower every day. In spite of family turmoil, devastating personal loss, and widespread misogyny, she stuck to her routines and devoted her life to science."