Chapter 2.8: Women's Struggles

Question 1

How did women’s roles in factory work change during and after WW1?

Answer 1

With men gone to fight, large number of women take over the workforce, which continues after WW1 due to large industry expansion

Question 2

Were women and men paid equally in the early 20th century (WW1)? What consequence does this lead to?

Answer 2

No, women were paid significantly less for doing the same work, leading to the first feminist associations/

Question 3

What were three goals from feminist associations?

Answer 3

1. Legal recognition of woman’s rights (voting, equality)
2. Improved public health, reduction in infant mortality
3. Women’s access to higher education

Question 4

What did women first get degrees in?

Answer 4

Journalism, nursing, medicine, law, teaching, social work

Question 5

Who leads a 5000+ female worker strike in Montreal? What were their complaints? What do they succeed?

Answer 5

Lea Roback

1) 6 day 50-80hr work week, cut down to 44 hrs
2) $7-$12.50/week (below min wage), increased to 16$/week
3) Sexual harassment
4) Lack of maternity leave

Question 6

What was women’s legal salary in 1919?

Answer 6

$12.50/week

Question 7

What was the Persons Case?

Answer 7

1928, Supreme Court of Canada ruled women not “persons.” Was appealed to the Privy Council, and in 1929 they were recognized as persons that could exercise their civil rights.

Question 8

What rights did women gain between WW1 and WW2?

Answer 8

1. Dispose their own salary
2. Open a bank account
3. Belong to a union without their husband’s permission
4. Have personal ID and passports

Question 9

What is a suffragette?

Answer 9

Woman fighting for the right to vote

Question 10

What happened on November 21, 1911?

Answer 10

233 suffragettes arrested for attempting to enter Parliament to demonstrate women’s suffrage

Question 11

When do women get the right to vote in federal elections?

Answer 11

1918

Question 12

Which two women suggested men and women were equal?

Answer 12

Idola Saint-Jean, Thérèse Casgrain

Question 13

Which provinces are the first and last to give women the right to vote in provincial elections? When?

Answer 13

1916: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
1940: Quebec

Question 14

How did women gain access to higher education?

Answer 14

1908, École d’éducation supérieure opened only for women

Question 15

How were working conditions improved?

Answer 15

Strikes