Nellie Mc Clung

Nellie McClung (answers.com)

Herione: A woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities. I personally think a hero is someone who is not just about the publicity and being famous. They are humble and are doing what they believe, for the good of not only themselves. Someone who you can depend on and who dedicates themself until the problem is solved.

Nellie McClung was born in 1873. At sixteen she got involved with the social reform and joined the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which was especially concerned with the social and health problems involving women and children and the campaign for women's right to vote in parts of the country.

Ladies on Parliament Hill (www.parliamenthill.gc.ca)

In 1914 the premier, Sir Rodmond Palen Roblin, was strongly opposed to women having their vote in election. Nellie and her group of reformers fought to defeat him. In 1916 they put on a play called "The Women's Parliament", which poked fun at dangers of giving men the right to vote. Her performance of this caused an uproar of laughter.

The Valiant Five

She served as a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1921 to 1926. She was one of The Famous Five (also called The Valiant Five), with Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, and Louise McKinney.

Nellie's Statue at Parliment Hill in Ottawa (www.heroines.ca)

Nellie McClung founded many organizations such as: The Political Equality League of Manitoba, The Federated Women's Institutes of Canada, and the founder and president of Women's Institute of Edmonton. She was also active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, The Canadian Authors Association, and the Canadian Women's Press Club.

The Declaration of Women's rights (www.waymarking.com)

I Consider Nellie McClung my hero because she is a women of great dignity. I appreciate the time and courage that she demonstrated to make such a positive change for women. She was an example of how when you set your mind to change an unjust thing, you can achieve. At a time in history when women had very little voice in society, she gave an opportunity for women to be heard.