Canadian Social History

An immigrant to Canada who murdered her abusive husband in 1911, igniting a public debate about domestic violence and the death penalty.

Connect the life of Angelina Napolitano with immigration at the turn of the century, as well as the rights of women, and the theory of separate spheres.

Canadian feminist, political and social activist, involved in the suffrage and temperance movement.

McClung came to prominence during World War I, arguing how the important role that women played in the war effort should be translated to social and political rights (the public realm).

Challenged the conventions of the “separate spheres” ideology of the nineteenth century. However, as Carol Bacchi notes, “most Canadian suffragists were social reformers and members of a social elite … [who] asked that women be allowed to vote in order to impress certain values upon society, [including] Protestant morality, sobriety and family order.”