In 1989, Edmonton elected its first female mayor, Jan Reimer. Running for such positions at the time was challenging: society often relegated women to the role of homemakers rather than mass leaders. Additionally, female politicians were scrutinized by the media far more frequently than their male counterparts, with coverage often focusing not only on their achievements but also on their hairstyles, outfits, and more. Learn more about the women of Alberta who had a significant impact on the national and provincial political arenas and made history through their pioneering efforts in this CalgaryYes feature.
First Female Alderman
In December 1917, Annie Gale was elected to the Calgary City Council, becoming the first female alderman in Canadian and British Empire history.
Born in 1876 in Worcestershire, England, Annie moved to Calgary in 1912 with her husband, civil engineer William John Gale, and their two sons. Her active civic engagement began when she noticed that local merchants only accepted produce from British Columbia farmers, ignoring those from Alberta. In 1914, she founded a garden club aimed at increasing vegetable and fruit production during World War I and demonstrating Alberta’s agricultural potential.
As a city council member, Gale fought for equal employment opportunities for both genders, opposed child labour, and supported public markets. She also sought to improve conditions in Calgary’s jails and reform the city’s healthcare system by advocating for state-funded hospitals. However, she left her position due to blackmail from opponents.
Two First Women in Alberta’s Legislature
In 1916, women in Alberta gained the right to vote and run for office. Just a year later, schoolteacher Louise McKinney was elected to the Alberta Legislature, becoming the first woman elected to a legislative body in Canada and the British Empire.
McKinney organized 20 branches of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) across Western Canada, which not only promoted temperance but also Christian values. Her primary legislative project focused on improving the legal status of widows and divorced women.
Alongside McKinney, military nurse Roberta MacAdams was also elected in 1917. Both women were sworn in on February 7, 1918, but McKinney earned the historical distinction due to being elected earlier.
MacAdams became the first woman in the British Empire to introduce and pass a legislative act. She worked to enhance soldiers’ qualifications and escorted war brides to Canada post-war. She also advocated for the establishment of a teacher training college in Edmonton.
First Black Female Lawyer
Alberta’s pioneering women extended beyond politics. In 1954, Violet King became Alberta’s first Black female lawyer, Canada’s first Black female barrister, and the first Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar Association.
King later worked for Canada’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration, traveling across the country to meet with service leaders and community organizations. In 1963, she moved to the U.S., where she held various leadership roles in YMCA organizations, becoming the first woman in the U.S. to hold an executive position in the national YMCA by 1976.
Other Influential Women in Alberta
Berta Clark-Jones joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Aboriginal Veterans Society during World War II. She co-founded and became the first president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, advocating for the equal rights of Indigenous veterans.
In the 1960s, Myrtle Sayers Lidley, a former school inspector, dedicated herself to creating recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in Edmonton. Her programs became models for other cities across Canada.
Thelma Chalifoux became Alberta’s first Métis woman senator in 1997, championing women’s and Indigenous rights.
Calgary’s first Black female city councilor, Virnetta Anderson, was elected in 1974. Despite facing discrimination, she played a pivotal role in developing the city’s C-Train network and the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts.
Women Leaders in Recent History
In October 2021, Jyoti Gondek became Calgary’s first female mayor. Born in London, England, to Indian parents, she moved to Winnipeg at the age of four. Gondek’s career included roles as a policy analyst in the Manitoba government, a professor at the Haskayne School of Business, and founder of Tick Consulting, a firm helping clients adapt their business models to changing regulations and economies.
Jasmine Mian, the youngest woman ever elected to Calgary’s City Council at 31, is a former Olympic freestyle wrestler. Her political priorities include pedestrian safety, addressing the climate crisis, revitalizing downtown, and improving transportation in Ward 3.