The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) was
established in 1893 by Lady Aberdeen, in cooperation with
Henrietta Muir Edwards.
A non-sectarian group, the Council sought to advance the
good of the the homes and the nation of Canada by bringing
women together in a "unity of thought, sympathy and
purpose." Its founders wanted to create a national
organization in which people could work together to achieve
the common goal of social reform—regardless of their faith,
political allegiances, class or race.
As of 1901, 21 Local Councils of Women existed across
Canada and numerous local women's groups and societies were
affiliated with the Councils.
Some of the Council's achievements include:
- Having domestic science and manual training included in
the curriculum in Ontario public schools, as well as teacher
training in those subjects
- Obtaining the appointment of Women Factory Inspectors for
factories and workshops employing women
- Having the provisions of the Factory Act and the Shops
Act in Ontario extended to the supervision of women workers,
as well as working to improve such conditions across the
country
- Obtained prison reform for female prisoners, including
having them supervised by matrons
- Organized or cooperated with various relief
organizations, including those aimed at assisting
immigrants; concerned itself in the care of the aged poor
and feeble-minded
- In cooperation with the Red Cross and the Victorian Order
of Nurses, established hospitals in smaller centers, spread
sanitary knowledge by organizing Health Talks for Mothers
and other health education campaigns
- Obtained the appointment of women to Boards of School
Trustees in New Brunswick, and worked towards it in other
provinces
- Studied laws relating to women and children, and
recommended reforms to the Minister of Justice
- Sponsored conferences on subjects ranging from "The duty
of Canadian Women in regard to the voting privileges already
accorded to them to "How to Read and What to Read" to "What
Women may do in Agriculture" to "Humour as it affects
Character"
The NCWC sought to bring together women and women's
groups under a larger umbrella organization so that they
might work more effectively to achieve social reforms, but
the Council recognized the importance of cooperating with
men as well.
The importance of cooperating with men to achieve reforms
is evident in Women of Canada: Their Life and Work. Lady
Aberdeen quotes words of support from a number of prominent
government officials, including:
- Sir John Thompson, "the late regretted Premier of
Canada,"
- Sir Wilfred Laurier, "Premier of the Dominion" at the time
- Sir Charles Tupper, Minister of Justice in the previous
Conservative Government
- Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior
She also quotes words of support from prominent church
leaders; thus, high level support among prominent men have
long helped the National Council. It certainly did not hurt
that Lady Aberdeen's husband was the Governor-General of
Canada (1893-98), and that he too was interested in
establishing hospitals, schools, and clubs to make life
better for people who needed help.
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