The 100th anniversary of the First World War is now finished but the records will continue to be preserved at the Archives and accessible to current and future generations who want to know more about the time period. In addition, this blog will remain on our website as an additional resource.

January 2016 Posts:

• 18 January: The 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage: Manitoba Women are First in Canada to Get the Provincial Vote
• 11 January: The 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage: Newspapers From the Day
•   4 January: Come Celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Manitoba!

18 January 2016

The 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage: Manitoba Women are First in Canada to Get the Provincial Vote

Over the past year we have been counting down to the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Manitoba. We have featured records from the Archives of Manitoba that document the many decades of work – collecting names for petitions, writing letters, holding meetings, organizing campaigns and events – undertaken by many women and men in Manitoba in the fight for women’s rights to vote and run for office. Earlier this month, the Archives held an open house and displayed some of the original records in our Research Room (see 4 January 2016 blog post).

In December 1915 a petition of almost 40,000 signatures was presented at the Legislative Building (see 29 December 2015 blog post) and in January 1916 Premier T. C. Norris presented the petition to the first session of the 15th Legislature. In the subsequent days the Bill to Amend the Election Act (to extend the vote to women) was read and passed by the Legislature.

On 28 January 1916 the Lieutenant Governor signed the bill into law and Manitoba became the first province in Canada to give women the provincial vote.

Women and men now needed to meet the same requirements to be eligible to vote – to be 21 years of age and British subjects by birth or naturalization. Aboriginal people with treaty status were excluded from this and did not have the provincial vote until 1952.

We are commemorating the 100th anniversary a few weeks early because of the upcoming provincial election, which means we cannot post on our blog for 90 days prior to the election. It seems quite fitting that our last post for now is about the vote!

See previous posts about “Counting Down to the 100^th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage” from 26 January 2015, 23 February 2015, 19 May 2015, 22 June 2015, 14 September 2015, 5 October 2015, 26 October 2015, 29 December 2015, 4 January 2015, and 11 January 2015.

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11 January 2016

The 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage: Newspapers From the Day

On 28 January 1916 the Lieutenant Governor signed the bill into law and Manitoba became the first province in Canada to give women the provincial vote. Manitoba newspapers brought the news to Manitobans after the vote was granted.

Newspapers are an important historical record and excellent source of research. The Manitoba Legislative Library has the most complete collection of historical Manitoba newspapers, dating back to 1859. Materials are available on microfilm for onsite research and for interlibrary loan. The Manitoba Newspaper Checklist (1859-1986), available at the Legislative Library and at most libraries in Manitoba, identifies the titles and issues available.

See previous posts about “Counting Down to the 100^th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage” from 26 January 2015, 23 February 2015, 19 May 2015, 22 June 2015, 14 September 2015, 5 October 2015, 26 October 2015, 29 December 2015, and 4 January 2015.

Search Tip: Learn more about the Manitoba Legislative Library’s newspaper collection.

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4 January 2016

Come Celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Manitoba!

The Archives of Manitoba and the Manitoba Legislative Library invite you to join us for an open house commemorating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Manitoba. The open house will be held in the Archives Research Room from 12–4 pm on Saturday, January 9, 2016.

Original records from the Archives and publications from the Legislative Library will be on display. These items document the Manitoba campaign for women’s right to vote and the granting of the vote on 28 January 1916. The display will include:

• petitions for the vote for women presented to the Manitoba government in 1893, 1894 and 1910;
• newspapers from the Manitoba Legislative Library reporting on suffrage events and the passing of the legislation;
• letters to and from Premier T.C. Norris leading up to the passing of the legislation;
• the original signed Act granting the vote to women;
• and more!

This is a unique opportunity to see these items on display together and to celebrate Manitoba’s achievement as the first Canadian province to grant the vote to women.

See previous posts about “Counting Down to the 100^th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage” from 26 January 2015, 23 February 2015, 19 May 2015, 22 June 2015, 14 September 2015, 5 October 2015, 26 October 2015, and 29 December 2015.

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