Hellen Nellie McClung: A Canadian Feminist

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stories, a two-
volume autobiography and various collections of speeches, articles and wartime
writing, to a total of sixteen volumes. Two of her most famous books are:
Clearing In The West and The Stream Runs Fast. All this served as a "pulpit"
from which McClung could preach her gospel of feminist activism and social
transformation. She was convinced that God's intention for creation was a "Fair
Deal" for everyone; and that Canada, particularly the prairie West, was a
perfect place to begin to bring that about. Women's suffrage, temperance and
the ordination of women were keystones in the battle - engaged. In contrast to
contemporary stereotypes, with a wit and compelling humor that won over enemies
as it delighted her allies.
Nellie was a curious girl, she was always asking questions. This was
not commonly seen among girls in her time. As a small child she would want to
participate in sports with the boys, although she was always told she wasn't
allowed. "I was hoping ...

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in changing the liquor laws. Nellie was not alone in
this view. In Britain and the United States, as well as in Canada, the demand
for women's suffrage was closely linked with the demand for prohibition. (24,
Benham) One of the reasons why prohibition was linked to the struggle for
women's rights in the early 1900s was that a wife had almost no legal control
then over how a husband spent his pay. Tragically, some husbands spent it on
liquor rather than on food and clothing for their family. Nellie later joined
the W.C.T.U. (Women's Christian Temperance Union). The purpose of the W.C.T.U.
was to fight the abuse of alcohol.
Nellie's intelligence and wit helped her greatly ...

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