Actions and Responses
Many social groups and activists responded to the issue of Women's Suffrage. One activist was Nellie McClung. She and a social group in Manitoba put on a play called "The Women's Parliament," a satire which turned the tables and poked fun at the dangers of giving men the right to vote. McClung's parody of premier Roblin's arguments against suffrage caused uproarious laughter, and the play went ‘on tour’ playing to packed and enthusiastic audiences. While Roblin was not ultimately defeated for another term, the efforts of Nellie and the Political Equality League helped sway the Liberal Party, who were ultimately elected to power the following term. This play was mentioned in "Chronicle of Canada", page 557, which stated:
"Votes for Men!
Women's suffrage groups often staged public events to advocate their cause. One event, sponsored by the Manitoba Political Equality League in Winnipeg in January 1914, featured a play with women in the role of legislators listening to a group of men petitioning for the vote. Nellie McClung, in the role of provincial premier, rejected the idea, declaring that "Man is made for something higher and better than voting. Men were made to support families. What is a home without a bank account!" McClung, who had had many run-ins with Premier Rodmond Roblin on the women's suffrage issue, mimicked him so well that the audience often roared with laughter."
As well, In 1915, the Political Equality League presented the new Liberal Government with a formal petition for the enfranchisement of women.The top page of the petition was worded:
“To the Honourable Members of His Majesty’s Government of the Province of Manitoba and the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Said Province – The Liberal Party - that there are no grounds for debarring women from the right to vote, will enact a measure providing for equal suffrage upon it being established by petition that this is desired by adult women to a number equivalent to 15% of the votes cast at the preceding general election in this Province. Your petitioners are desirous that a measure shall be enacted forthwith extending the franchise to women on equal terms with men."
This petition re-enforces the statement that this was a social issue, seeing as it was brought forward by a widely-known and respected national group. The Political Equality League was founded in 1912 by a number of progressive Manitobans, including prominent suffragists Nellie McClung, Winona Flett, E. Cora Hind, Dr. Emilia Yoemans, and Francis Marion Beynon and her sister Lillian Beynon Thomas. The initial goal of the organization was women’s suffrage, but it soon developed a full program of political reforms including direct legislation, tariff, prohibition of alcohol, labour law reform, and the appointment of more factory inspectors, both male and female.
"Votes for Men!
Women's suffrage groups often staged public events to advocate their cause. One event, sponsored by the Manitoba Political Equality League in Winnipeg in January 1914, featured a play with women in the role of legislators listening to a group of men petitioning for the vote. Nellie McClung, in the role of provincial premier, rejected the idea, declaring that "Man is made for something higher and better than voting. Men were made to support families. What is a home without a bank account!" McClung, who had had many run-ins with Premier Rodmond Roblin on the women's suffrage issue, mimicked him so well that the audience often roared with laughter."
As well, In 1915, the Political Equality League presented the new Liberal Government with a formal petition for the enfranchisement of women.The top page of the petition was worded:
“To the Honourable Members of His Majesty’s Government of the Province of Manitoba and the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Said Province – The Liberal Party - that there are no grounds for debarring women from the right to vote, will enact a measure providing for equal suffrage upon it being established by petition that this is desired by adult women to a number equivalent to 15% of the votes cast at the preceding general election in this Province. Your petitioners are desirous that a measure shall be enacted forthwith extending the franchise to women on equal terms with men."
This petition re-enforces the statement that this was a social issue, seeing as it was brought forward by a widely-known and respected national group. The Political Equality League was founded in 1912 by a number of progressive Manitobans, including prominent suffragists Nellie McClung, Winona Flett, E. Cora Hind, Dr. Emilia Yoemans, and Francis Marion Beynon and her sister Lillian Beynon Thomas. The initial goal of the organization was women’s suffrage, but it soon developed a full program of political reforms including direct legislation, tariff, prohibition of alcohol, labour law reform, and the appointment of more factory inspectors, both male and female.
Even after the women of New Brunswick got the vote in 1919, they still felt as though they were not given the same privileges as men. They decided to congregate at city hall in order to discuss the issues they were facing. This meeting was to be held n the anniversary of when women got the vote. They invited key-note speakers to speak of the “Great Strides“ that the women of New Brunswick have made since they were given the vote. Above is a poster advertising said congregation, which was held in Moncton, New Brunswick.