The Political Career of Senator Cairine Wilson, 1921-62

Authors

  • Franca Iacovetta York University

Abstract

This paper examines the career of Cairine Wilson - Canada's first senator, a liberal feminist, peace activist and humanitarian. Wilson's outlook was shaped by her commitment to an evangelical Christian liberal tradition and to maternal feminism. Her feminism is explored with respect to her involvement in reform institutions such as the League of Nations Society and the National Committee on Refugees, and her support for women's issues in the Senate. While there were serious class and gender limitations to Wilson's reformist maternal feminism, her long-standing presence among liberal and humanitarian elements in Canadian politics from 1920 to f962 presented an ongoing challenge to conservative administrators and thus illustrates the contribution bourgeois feminists can make to Canadian politics and society.

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Published

1985-10-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (1985)

Section

Canadian Women's Archives

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