Women’s Herstory:

THE LONG ROAD TO ELECTORAL GENDER
EQUALITY IN THE BC NDP

1933 – 1993

The story of women’s equality within the BC NDP is one of a long journey with many bumps and potholes along the way.

There is more to do – additions, corrections, memories are welcome. Our next step is to map out the period following 1993 and explore policy changes that led to the wonderful result in 2024 when BC became the first Legislature or Parliament in Canada to elect a majority of female Legislators, with 31 women elected in an NDP Caucus of 49.

For now, though, have a look at some of our major milestones!

CREDITS

Compiled by Robin Geary (edited by Ron Johnson).

Sources include:

  • A Proud Herstory by Ann Frost
  • WRC leaflets and brochures
  • Being Brown by Rosemary Brown
  • The many issues of Priorities
  • Robin’s many, many records

1933 : 1961

The CCF years

CCF MLAs Laura Jamieson, Dorothy Steeves, Grace MacInnis

In Canada the CCF was formed in 1932 and fought its first BC election in 1933 when it became the Official Opposition with seven MLAs, none of whom were women. The CCF was succeeded by the NDP in 1961. The NDP was formed in conjunction with the CLC.

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During those times very few women were elected to Parliament or to Legislatures. Some very prominent CCF women were however elected in BC: Gretchen Steeves (1934), Laura Jamieson (1939), Grace MacInnis (1941), Lois Haggen (1956) and Camille Mather (1960). At that time the most common way to get a nomination was to be the widow of an MP or MLA or be from a prominent political family.

1961

The Second Wave begins

The 1960s to the 1980s brought the second wave of feminism. Women organized with a new focus on issues of equal pay, reproductive rights and an end to gender discrimination.

Within the BC NDP, that wave began in 1961 with the founding of the party. It was at that convention that the first BC NDP Women’s Committee was established via the following resolution:

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To stimulate interest among women to develop their capabilities in the field of organization and education by providing opportunities to improve their skills and qualifications so they will be more effective as people, supporters, members, active party officials, or as potential representatives.

1965

Calls for a Women’s Bureau

Woman at the microphone at an NDP convention

At convention, a resolution was brought calling upon a BC NDP government to establish a Women’s Bureau “to safeguard the legal, economic and emotional rights of women and children.” This was seven years before the 1972 resolution calling for a Women’s Ministry and 26 years before it happened.

1967 : 70

A Royal Commission

Members of Canada's Royal Commission on the Status of Women, formed in 1967
In 1967, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson established the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. It came after a months-long campaign by a coalition of 32 women’s groups led by Ontario activist Laura Sabia.

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The commission’s mandate was to inquire into and report on the status of women in Canada,
and to make specific recommendations to the federal government to ensure equality for women in all aspects of society. The commission was launched at a time when the women’s movement was in full swing and other governments worldwide were addressing similar issues.

1970

A strategic shift

BC NDP MLA Eileen Dailly

With the NDP Women’s Committee no longer active, many NDP women were now involved in the activities of the emerging new wave of the women’s liberation movement, especially the abortion issue. NDP MLA Eileen Dailly organized a successful conference that included women party activists and young women who were participating in events like the Abortion Caravan.

1971

A new Standing Committee

The NDP's Standing Committee on Women's Rights button
The federal Royal Commission’s published its recommendations . They were presented at a meeting in Vancouver attended by 300 people, including Eileen Dailly and other NDP women. Eileen was convinced that the NDP had to do something to provide a place for feminists and the feminist struggle otherwise the Liberal party would become the home for feminists.

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A small meeting decided to set in motion the process of reactivating the Women’s Committee with a greater focus on equality issues. At the 1971 Provincial Convention the Standing Committee on Women’s Rights was established. Over the years this committee was known as the Women’s Committee of the BC NDP and the Women’s Rights Committee or WRC. Marianne Gilbert was the first Chairwoman.

1972

Now that’s an election

Ministry of Women's Rights button
In the election of the first BC NDP government, five women came into office. Notably, the first declared feminist, Rosemary Brown, was elected in Vancouver Burrard. Rosemary was to become the political leader and spokeswoman for a highly energized and active WRC.

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At this time there were hundreds of women involved across the province pushing the new government to implement the party’s policy on Women’s Rights. The WRC worked closely with the labour movement, who were always supportive and encouraging. Eileen Dailly was the only woman in Cabinet, as Education Minister. The other women elected in 1972 were Karen Sanford, Phyllis Young, and Daisy Webster.

At the 1972 Provincial Convention in November, the WRC resolution calling for the establishment of a Women’s Ministry was adopted. Delegates heard fiery speeches by several NDP women, including Yvonne Cocke who said the treatment of women needed to change and that men should not decide on women’s health. The resolution called for “the Ministry to work with other departments on all issues affecting women directly… that the Ministry be headed by a woman MLA… (appointed) in consultation with the Women’s Rights Committee.”

In the end, it took until 1991 for this to be accomplished by Mike Harcourt’s NDP Government, with Penny Priddy as its first Minister.


1973

Strengthening the movement

The Priorities and Case for a Ministry of Women's Rights publications

The BC NDP Women’s Committee also decided to publish a monthly newsletter called Priorities. It continued for about 25 years. “The issues and demands raised by the women’s liberation movement are integral to the development of a democratic socialist movement.

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“The NDP actively encourages and provides support for women organizing around the demands of the women’s liberation movement and commits an NDP government to creating the legislation necessary to realize these demands.” (NDP Policy on Women’s Rights quoted in the December 1997 issue).

Also, in 1973 the Women’s Committee responded to the lack of government action on the 1972 resolution by publishing and circulating widely a pamphlet called The Case for a Ministry of Women’s Rights.

1973

WRC’s leadership core

WRC's decade long leadership: Melodie Corrigal, Cynthia Flood, Sharon Yandle, Hilda Thomas
In The Case for a Ministry of Women’s Rights, the WRC leadership – Cynthia Flood, Rosemary Brown, Melodie Corrigall, and Sharon Yandle – argued that as a result of the policy “the amount of party discussion on women’s rights has sharply increased, and is on a much higher level than ever before.

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“The role of women within the NDP has come under intense and highly critical examination. Women and women’s liberation are being taken seriously.” These four women, together with Hilda Thomas, were the core of WRC leadership for over a decade.

The Provincial Convention approved the creation of the position of Women’s Organizer to “actively encourage NDP Women throughout B.C to seek federal, provincial, or civic party nominations.


Continue to Part 2