St. Thomas – Elgin Second Stage Housing

Nellie McClung was a political activist. She was also a charmer with a gift for oratory and a delightful sense of humour. Her spirited leadership rallied others to the cause of women’s suffrage in Manitoba in the early 20th century.
When she was sixteen, Nellie began teaching at a rural school. In a long skirt and starched blouse, she would play football with the students at recess. Some parents objected — Football was not a ladies’ game — but Nellie finally won the parents over with tact and good sense.

Nellie McClung’s personal commitment to women’s rights became her political cause as well. She began to speak out for female suffrage and to write fiction. Her novel, Sowing Seeds in Danny, is a witty portrayal of a small western town. Published in 1908, it became a national best seller, the first of her many literary successes.
Marriage, five children, and a successful writing career did not stop Nellie McClung from campaigning for women’s rights. Her concern for less fortunate women grew out of deep religious beliefs and devotion to her family. She had seen firsthand the suffering of women and children caused by neglect, overwork, poverty and alcohol abuse. “The real spirit of the suffrage movement”, she once wrote, “is sympathy and interest in the other woman, and the desire to make the world a more homelike place to live in”.
In 1912, Manitoba women formed the Political Equality League to improve women’s working conditions. The League convinced Premier Roblin that factory conditions for women were indeed terrible, but in spite of McClung’s eloquence, the League did not convince him that female suffrage was the remedy for such abuses.
To rally public support, the League held a Mock Parliament on January 28, 1914. The subject of debate was whether or not men should have the vote. A male delegation presented its case for male suffrage, and “Premier” Nellie McClung rose to speak. She complimented the men on their splendid gentlemanly appearance, then she launched into her satiric attack: “Oh no, man is made for something higher and better than voting…Politics unsettles men, and unsettled men mean unsettled bills? broken furniture, broken vows, and ? divorce!”. The resounding success of the Mock Parliament lent energy and support to the League’s campaign. The 1915 election saw the defeat of Roblin’s Conservative government, and on January 29, 1916, Manitoba became the first Canadian province to give women the vote. Nellie McClung continued to fight for women’s suffrage in other provinces, and saw, slowly but steadily, tradition giving way to equality.

A United Way Agency

Women’s Program Benefits

Our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament held in July 2005 raised $10,000 for our Women.s Program. Ninety (90) players enjoyed 18 holes of golf on a fabulous
course followed by a delicious dinner, auction and raffle. Each player received a prize at the end of the evening. Revenues raised at this annual
event go towards our Women’s Program.

Watch for our 4th Annual Golf Tournament this July 2006!!!

5th Annual Women’s Night Friday, February 3, 2006 St. Anne.s Centre Doors Open 5:30 pm Dinner and Mystery to Follow Call Now to Reserve Table(s) / Ticket(s) Advanced Sales Only Volunteer Opportunities Children’s Recreation Worker Housekeeping, Children’s Program Bingo Worker Special Events Worker We are actively recruiting for the above positions, please contact Chris for more information. The cost to provide group counselling, individual counselling, support, advocacy and referals is $1650 per woman for her stay at Second Stage Housing.

You CAN Help Us Raise $$$ Playhouse Supports Second Stage A new fundraising undertaking for Second Stage is developing. Volunteers are joining together to plan and build an OUTDOOR PLAYHOUSE to be raffled in late Spring ‘06. The playhouse will be completed in time to launch this fundraiser at the 2006 St. Thomas Home and Outdoor Show. Volunteers are welcome to work behind the scenes, construct the actual building, and/or sell tickets/station booths. Please contact Chris at Second Stage for more information. 637-2288