100 Canadian Heroines by Merna Forster
Author:Merna Forster
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459714311
Publisher: Dundurn
Quote:
“Never retract, never explain, never apologize — get the thing done and let them howl.”246
A First in the British Empire
Louise Crummy McKinney 1868–1931
She devoted much of her life to battling what she considered to be public enemy number one: booze.
Louise McKinney.
Louise McKinney was somewhat surprised to find she’d won a seat in the 1917 provincial election in Alberta. It was the first time women there had been allowed to vote or run for office, and she and Roberta MacAdams were the first two women elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly. Louise was sworn in first — becoming the first female legislator in the British Empire.
Born in Frankville, Ontario, Louise Crummy grew up in a large family of Irish descent. Despite dreams of being a doctor she had to settle for teaching. A devout Methodist, she became an organizer for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) while working in North Dakota. She married James McKinney and they settled in Claresholm, Alberta, in 1903. They named their son Williard after the founder of the WCTU: Frances E. Williard.
A firm believer in the merits of a Christian lifestyle, Louise McKinney directed most of her considerable energy to the WCTU. She founded a local chapter in Claresholm, and then served as President of the Alberta WCTU and Vice-President of the Dominion WCTU from 1908-30. She became Acting President and hosted the World Convention in Toronto in 1931, where she was elected World Vice-President for the WCTU. Throughout her decades of hard work for the organization Louise McKinney supported social reforms such as the vote for women, but she focused her efforts on fighting alcohol — and its destructive effects on families and society. Louise played an important role in pushing Alberta to accept prohibition in 1915, and under her leadership the WCTU had a significant impact on the political and social development of Alberta.
Louise’s involvement in the WCTU led her to politics and the provincial legislature. Eager to promote social change, she decided to run as a candidate for the Non-Partisan League since she distrusted the established parties that accepted funding from liquor companies. Soon recognized as an impressive debater, Louise McKinney pushed for stricter liquor control laws, aid for the disabled, and assistance for immigrants and widows. She worked with Henrietta Muir Edwards on the successful passage of the Dower Act. Louise served just one term as an MLA but played another significant role on accepting Emily Murphy’s offer to become a petitioner in the Persons Case. The conclusion of the landmark dispute was the ruling that Canadian women were deemed persons eligible to sit in the Senate.
Louise McKinney remained active in the WCTU at the local, national, and international levels. She attended many conventions in America and Europe, but died shortly after being elected World Vice-President. She was praised for “making her influence felt in the cause of peace, purity, and prohibition.”247
Now considered one of the Famous Five women involved in the Persons Case, Louise McKinney is included in a variety of group commemorations (See Emily Murphy, page 192).
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