Canadian Women's Suffrage Association

"CWSA" redirects here. For the sports association, see Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association.

Canadian Women's Suffrage Association

Formation	1877
Type	Women's Association
Legal status	historic
Purpose	advocate and public voice, educator and network, women's suffrage in Canada
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Region served	Canada
Official language	English French

The Canadian Women's Suffrage Association, originally called the Toronto Women's Literary Guild, was an organization based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that fought for women's rights.

After the association had been inactive for a while, the leaders founded the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Association in 1889.

History

First President in 1883

The Toronto Women's Literary Guild was established in 1877 to fight for women's rights and for improved working conditions. Jessie Turnbull and Dr. Emily Howard Stowe, Canada's second licensed female physician, were founders.

The guild had some success in improving access to higher education for women. It was renamed the Canadian Women's Suffrage Association in 1883 with Turnbull as its first president.

The Toronto-based association worked towards opening up education to women, and allowing women to advance as professionals, particularly as doctors.

After the association had been inactive for a while, the leaders founded the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Association in 1889.

See also

• List of suffragists and suffragettes
• List of women's rights activists
• Timeline of women's suffrage
• Women's suffrage organizations
• Feminism in Canada

References

Citations

Sources

• "Dr. Emily Howard Stowe". Library and Archives Canada. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
• Freeman, Barbara M. (1989-11-15). Kit's Kingdom: The Journalism of Kathleen Blake Coleman. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-7360-4. Retrieved 2014-07-16.