{"id":3853,"date":"2025-01-09T10:11:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T14:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/?p=3853"},"modified":"2025-01-09T10:11:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T14:11:45","slug":"stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives","title":{"rendered":"Stories of Ottawa&#8217;s Feminist Trailblazers: Insights from City Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Every October, Canada celebrates Women&#8217;s History Month, marking its 30th anniversary in 2022. This month serves as a tribute to the women who have shaped Canada\u2019s feminist movement. Learn more about these remarkable stories through <a href=\"http:\/\/ottawanka.com\">ottawanka.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4ea6ff6c135\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4ea6ff6c135\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Women_and_the_Fight_for_Rights\" >Women and the Fight for Rights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Monique_Frize\" >Monique Frize<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Monique_Begin\" >Monique B\u00e9gin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Valerie_Overend\" >Valerie Overend<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Shirley_E_Greenberg\" >Shirley E. Greenberg<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Jeanne_Sauve\" >Jeanne Sauv\u00e9<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Gender_Equality\" >Gender Equality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/eternal-3853-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-trailblazers-insights-from-city-archives\/#Achievements_of_the_Second_Wave_Feminism\" >Achievements of the Second Wave Feminism<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Women_and_the_Fight_for_Rights\"><\/span>Women and the Fight for Rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The archives at the University of Ottawa Library hold fascinating stories of the first women who dared to enter traditionally male-dominated fields such as law, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Their perseverance not only paved the way for their own success but also opened doors for future generations of women. These Canadian trailblazers deserve recognition for their invaluable contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monique_Frize\"><\/span>Monique Frize<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Monique Frize graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in engineering in 1966. Despite the dean&#8217;s attempts to dissuade her, she not only completed her studies but went on to earn two master\u2019s degrees and a PhD at other institutions. She became the first woman to receive an engineering degree from the University of Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her career began as a biomedical engineer, developing software to diagnose complications in premature babies and refining methods to detect arthritis using infrared cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1989, Frize was appointed to the Nortel-NSERC Chair for Women in Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. Remarkably, she narrowly avoided being present at the tragic \u00c9cole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women were killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frize&#8217;s advocacy and research have been widely recognized, earning her the distinction of Officer of the Order of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxcxzwvysyh4p4fbyote1v3exryjhn1frgozgf548k2cf00bjwwhvfzfvjmvl8k42vn6m_3lx9a0xgdllakxir6edyz3hmzc4ttu9o7arho5ffb_wn2ns7u8_ebijrb_dl1kbyvxxakeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monique_Begin\"><\/span>Monique B\u00e9gin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Monique B\u00e9gin blazed a trail in politics, receiving a lifetime achievement award from Maclean\u2019s \u201cParliamentarian of the Year\u201d in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After studying sociology at the University of Montreal and in Paris, B\u00e9gin gained prominence during Quebec&#8217;s Quiet Revolution in the 1960s. In 1967, she was appointed Executive Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1977, Pierre Trudeau named her Minister of Health and Welfare. B\u00e9gin prioritized pension protections during times of economic uncertainty. After leaving politics in 1984, she transitioned to academia, focusing on women\u2019s studies and healthcare management at the University of Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her memoirs reflect on feminism and encourage young women to analyze patriarchal structures critically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxc86jk53r4eqjtc5vr2o5j2rogk1frgmg3j7wl0iq2m5k_cufchckbiln2vjcv4mnkzrjq4ezzktr5oksnckvvprj1kw3x2g4eb9qpgr2kpv0tgio0yqixmgmpaq8zpprjj3v0okeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Valerie_Overend\"><\/span>Valerie Overend<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Valerie Overend became Saskatchewan\u2019s first Red Seal Certified Carpenter. Troubled by the absence of women on construction sites, she co-founded the Women\u2019s Work Training Program in Regina in 1995. Over the next 25 years, she mentored women pursuing careers in construction and other non-traditional fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overend&#8217;s work received national recognition for advancing women\u2019s inclusion in trades and technology. In 1992, she was awarded the Governor General\u2019s Medal for volunteerism, and in 2005, she received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxcit2ukfhuxg_-ebsyrm3m1lx7fcqlj08gznhfo49srg7x7pvkugb_xqeie8ooq-z8nedldxyrknqr6kznuapudmfyhonlgsafe2mvwne4khi0ccqcx85t8wbcpvzsqrhix4qismqkeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shirley_E_Greenberg\"><\/span>Shirley E. Greenberg<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shirley E. Greenberg, a lawyer and philanthropist, established a women-focused law firm in Ottawa in the late 1970s, helping countless young women lawyers start their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She contributed significantly to women&#8217;s empowerment by co-founding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ottawa Women\u2019s Centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Women\u2019s Career Counselling Centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interval House, a safe haven for survivors of sexual violence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Though she has passed away, Greenberg&#8217;s legacy endures through her tireless work in bringing women together to address critical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxfabitukprnu_0m1rzmmu75jhnadntcushdbbtrxishrp-o029y7umpbr9zqciwlcy0ehm2kf8tnksfjdoyfpid3pqeh5r55ou79z_vt7u_rtqcd5gf3kjbpjsyx_7vx_n5xi3kiakeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jeanne_Sauve\"><\/span>Jeanne Sauv\u00e9<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1983, Jeanne Sauv\u00e9 became the first woman Governor General of Canada. Her political journey began in Saskatchewan, followed by education at the University of Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sauv\u00e9 worked as a journalist and bilingual broadcaster before being elected to the House of Commons in 1972. In 1980, she became the first female federal cabinet minister in Canadian history. Her achievements culminated in her appointment as Governor General.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxfcqliazgradjztbajogx97mh4jpldbht-ekrqalxvkl-vfx_3l9oxpjuewnhw6ne6kddmyu-tex8e7ri-bpikh1wmalzkmjqdhj5wvruemgylwhb96j4fi3uw1r5u15o4cygihakeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gender_Equality\"><\/span>Gender Equality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In November 2022, Canada took a significant step toward gender equality by approving a 10-year National Action Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women&#8217;s History Month serves as a reminder of the progress achieved and the challenges women faced to have their voices heard. These stories inspire women and girls today to pursue their dreams despite societal barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Achievements_of_the_Second_Wave_Feminism\"><\/span>Achievements of the Second Wave Feminism<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The second wave of feminism, spanning 1960\u20131985, was a transformative era for women. It was a time of relentless struggle to enter male-dominated fields, overcome stereotypes, and achieve professional recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond individual success, women of this movement built charities, advocated for rights, and fought against sexual violence. The societal and legal advancements of the second wave remain pivotal, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawanka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxd8tfm90sb1iyu6vfrp0udwm_rrctn-xc7objmypxgk6kicehqnwgddz2qxdk7p0vi8xwqhcsqgn7miwvxdfll2gep9-8a2zfe91xytpscxunqkumrblw3zp-_u3vngkkpmj-bk8gkeyy8q9rlfjqnvika3c3g_662r9.png\" width=\"602\" height=\"400\">Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uottawa.ca\">University of Ottawa Library Archives<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca\">Canadian Encyclopedia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ottawafeminists.ca\">Ottawa Feminist History Society<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every October, Canada celebrates Women&#8217;s History Month, marking its 30th anniversary in 2022. This month serves as a tribute to the women who have shaped Canada\u2019s feminist movement. Learn more about these remarkable stories through ottawanka.com. Women and the Fight for Rights The archives at the University of Ottawa Library hold fascinating stories of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":414,"featured_media":3387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1035],"tags":[2949,2956,2954,2957,2959,2953,2950,2948,2961,2951,2960,2947,2958,2952,2955],"moimportance":[212,34,33],"motype":[1045],"moformat":[163],"class_list":{"0":"post-3853","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-psychology-of-women","8":"tag-patriarchal-power","9":"tag-achievements-of-second-wave-feminism","10":"tag-feminism","11":"tag-interesting-information-from-the-city-archives","12":"tag-jeanne-sauvet","13":"tag-monique-begin","14":"tag-monique-friese","15":"tag-representatives-of-the-womens-movement-in-canada","16":"tag-shirley-greenberg","17":"tag-stories-of-ottawas-feminist-pioneers","18":"tag-university-of-ottawa-library-archives","19":"tag-valerie-overend","20":"tag-women-and-the-struggle-for-rights","21":"tag-womens-history-month","22":"tag-womens-movement-in-canada","23":"moimportance-aktualnist-bilshe-roku","24":"moimportance-golovna-novina","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","26":"motype-eternal","27":"moformat-spysok-korotka"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/414"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3853"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3872,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3853\/revisions\/3872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3853"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3853"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3853"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawanka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}