Agnes Macphail, topic of Collingwood and District Historical Society meeting

Local genealogist, author and historian Jean Hutchinson will talk about the life of Agnes Macphail at the Collingwood and District Historical Societyʼs April 9 meeting.

Macphail grew up in Grey County. She was a true pioneer and her lasting influence affected the lives of those who followed. Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons (1921–40) and was one of the first two women elected to the Ontario legislature (1943–45, 1948–51). She was also the first female member of a Canadian delegation to the League of Nations, where she served on the disarmament committee. Macphail was a founding member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (the forerunner of the New Democratic Party) and was an advocate for prison reform. As a member of the Ontario Legislature, she championed Ontario’s first equal pay legislation (1951).

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Leisure Time Club, Minnesota Street. Admission is CDHS membership or $5. Coffee and cookies will be served.