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Introduction

  


 My goal was to have at least one name for each day of the year! Believe it or not, it took 20 years. But hey, I made it!
Want to know who was born the same year as you?  Check out the Famous Canadian Women's Historical Timeline!

Want to find out about other Canadian women of achievement? "On-The-Job". Has over 3100 mini profiles of Canadian Women

Use your mouse pointer to touch a date on the calendar below
to see which Famous Canadian Woman has a birthday on that date.

Copyright © 1998-2023 Dawn E. Monroe. All rights reserved

ISBN: 0-9736246-0-4
December 1 Allyn Ann McLerie. Born December 1,1926, Grand Mere, Quebec. Died May 21, 2018, North Bend, Washington, U.S.A. Allyn and her widowed mother moved to the United States when she was just one year old. Allyn become an actor having made films from the 1940's through to the 1980's. A listing of her TV appearances is like a listing of the classics, Bonanza, The Walton's, and Dynasty to name a few of the shows in which she appeared. She married Adolph Green, a lyricist, in 1945 but they divorce in 1953. She married a second time to actor George Gaynes (1917-2016) and the couple had two children. She retired from acting in 1993.
  Sylvie Daigle. Born December 1, 1962, Sherbrooke, Quebec. Sylvie began speed skating when she was 8 years old. She would go on in her sport to win an Olympic gold medal at the Olympic Games, Calgary, Alberta 1988 in the 1500m event and sliver medals in the 1000m and 3000m events.  this time as part of the short track relay event. In the 1992 Winter Olympic Games Albertville, France she was a member of the Canadian Short Track Relay team which won a gold medal and in the 1994 Winter Olympic Games Lillehammer, Norway, a silver medal. She was also a ten time Canadian National Champion and five time Overall World Champion for 1979, 1983, 1988-1990. She studied medicine at l'Université de Montréal. She was awarded the Elaine Tanner trophy for Best Canadian Junior Athlete in 1979 and again in 1983. The Canadian Sped Skating Association named her Female Athlete of the Year in 1988, 1989 and again in 1991. In 1990 she earned the Velma Springstead Trophy as Canada's top female athlete. In 1991 she was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame.
December 2 Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Born December 2, 1953, Kuujiuaq, Quebec. Sheila's mother was a well known healer and no doubt taught her daughter about living with the environment. Image result for sheila watt-Cloutier imagesHer brother, Charlie, is a Canadian member of the Senate, and no doubt accounts for some of her interest in politics. She was sent at 10 years of age, to Nova Scotia and then Churchill, Manitoba for her education. She continued studies at McGill University in Montreal. A mother of two children she has been a life long social activist who has gained international clout. She is recognized for her all out efforts on behalf of the Artic indigenous peoples world wide. She is a contemporary champion against persistent organic pollutants (POP’s) and has served as President of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (Canada).
In 2002 she earned a Global Environment Award from the World Association of Non-Government Organizations in Washington, D, C. U.S.A. and in 2004 she was presented with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. In 2005 she was awarded the generous and coveted SOPHIE Award from Norway for her efforts to draw the world’s attention to the devastating effects of climate change and of emissions of toxic chemicals, the Champion of the Earth Award from the United Nations Environmental Programme as well as the Governor General's Northern Medal. In 2006 she was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada and her work continues to garner her recognition. (2019)
  Jennifer  Robinson. Born December 2, 1976, Goderich, Ontario. Figure skating is her 1st love. Her heroine was 1988 Olympic medal winning skater Elizabeth Manly. Jennifer won the Canadian Junior Championship in 1994. In 1996 she won her 1st Canadian Senior Championship title. She has been Canadian ladies figure skating champion six times. In 2002 she married skating coach Shane Dennison and the couple have one daughter. In 2004 she became a radio host on a Saturday night retro show in Barrie, Ontario. She was a commentator at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vancouver, British Columbia for CTV. In October 2010 she was elected as a city counsellor in Barrie but poor health caused her to resign in 2012.
December 3 Mary H. Wilson Alloway. née Wilson. Born December 3,1848, Montreal, Quebec. Died January Image result for firesides of French Canada images11, 1919. She married Clement Alloway, a veterinary doctor, in 1877. She was the author of Famous Firesides of French Canada which was published in Montreal in 1899 and the novel, Crossed Swords, which was published in Toronto in 1912. (2017)





 
  Gayle Hitchens Borthwick. Born December 3, 1944, Regina, Saskatchewan. The family relocated to British Columbia and Gayle, in 1961 won the Canadian Junior Girls Golf Championship. She won the  British Columbia where she won the provincial Ladies’ Golf title in 1962 and then went on to win the ladies’ Canadian Amateur title. She defended her provincial titles in 1963. In 1994 she was the Canadian Ladies Senior golf champion. In 1994 she tool the Canadian Ladies’ senior championship, a title she successfully defended in 1995, 1999 and 2000. In Ontario she won the Ontario Senior Ladies’ Championship in 1994, 1996, 1998. 2000 and 2001. In 1996 she won her 1st international solo title, as the U.S. Women’s Senior Champion which she won again in 1998. She has been a member of numerous team spanning four decades. She has relocated to Ontario where she volunteers in golf administration and in fundraising. She was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1997. (2018)
 
December 4
Edna May 'Deanna' Durbin. Born December 4, 1921, Winnipeg, Image result for Deanna DurbinManitoba. Died April 20, 2013, Neauphle-le-Château, France. Known as 'Winnipeg’s Sweetheart', this glamour actress of the 1930’s and 1940’s had a real star status in Hollywood. She began her career in 1926 and had 23 credits behind her by 1948. In 1938, at 17, she was awarded at the Academy Juvenile Award. In 1941 Deanna married assistant movie director, Vaughn Paul  and they divorced in 1943. In 1945 she married a second time to writer/actor, Felix Jackson (1902-1992). The couple had one daughter but were divorced by 1949. Then she simply dropped out of the Hollywood life. In 1950 she married producer/director Charles Henri David (died 1999) and the couple lived in a farmhouse near Paris, France with her daughter and their son. She has not given an interview of any kind since she 'dropped acting' up until her death fan mail was still sent to the reclusive actor.
  Barbara Joan Estelle Amiel. Born December 4, 1940, Hertfordshire, England. Barbara emigrated with her family to Canada and settled in Hamilton, Ontario. Barbara graduated from the University of Toronto with her B.A. in 1963. At university she was an active communist and was a delegate to the 1962 World Festival of Youth and Students in Helsinki, Finland. In 1964 she married George Smith but this was followed shortly by divorce and she married a second in 1965  to George Bloomfield. This marriage ended in divorce in 1971. She married a third time to poet, broadcaster and author George Jonas in 1974 but again the marriage ended in divorce in 1979. In 1978 she published her own selected poems. She married a fourth time to businessman David Graham from 1984 to 1988. July 21,1992 she married she married media baron Conrad Black. A writer, journalist, and editor, Barbara was editor for the Toronto Sun newspaper and a long time columnist with MacLean's. She has published four books between 1977 and 1983. She has won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best face crime book and was the “Woman of Distinction” in 1989. In 1995 she earned the position as vice president editorial at Hollinger International. In November 2006 a biography of the couple by Tom Bower, Conrad and Lady Black: Dancing on the Edge was released. She stuck by her husband when he was convicted of fraud and served 6.5 years in prison form 2007-2012. (2018)
  Anna McGarrigle. Born December 4, 1944,  Montreal, Quebec. Along with her sister and singing  partner, Kate McGarrigle (1946-2010) , Anna began singing in coffee houses in Montreal in the 1960's. Anna studied at the Ecole des Beaux-arts de Montreal from 1964-1968. In 1976 they produced a record album together and won the Melody Maker Best Record of the Year. Other albums followed including an all French album in 1982 and the duo would win Juno Awards for their works. Anna married journalist Dane Lanken and the couple have two children. The McGarrigles were named to the Order of Canada in 1994. In 1999 the sisters received the Women of Originality Awards. In 2006 the singers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).
December 5 Roberta Lynn Bondar. Born December 5, 1945, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Roberta's 1st university degree was earned at the University of Guelph in 1968. Her post graduate studies began at the University of Western Ontario with a Master of Science in 1971 followed by a PhD from the university of Toronto in 1974.She earned her medical degree from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario  in 1977.  As Canada’s 1st woman astronaut had flair. She took her favourite food, Girl Guide cookies, into space with her. She brought from space a real sense of just how delicate our small blue planet really is and is now using her photography to help show and save our earth’s environment. She was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1992 and the Order of Ontario in 1993. She is a Specially elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1999. She has been awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. In 2003 she began a tenure of service as Chancellor of Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario the same year that Canada Post brought out stamps honouring our individual Canadian astronauts. She also has a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. She has served on numerous boards of directors of organizations and served as well government committees. A respected and busy motivational speaker in 2017 for the 150th anniversary she toured the country to encourage youth to take the Bondar Challenge in photography. She encourages youth to study science and follow their dreams. Sources: Canadian Who's Who; Personal knowledge. Image copyright Famous Canadian Women      
  Pearl Calahasen. Born December 5,1952, Grouard, Alberta. After studies at the University of Alberta and the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A. for her Masters degree in Education she worked to develop Cree language for elementary and adult education. She was the 1st woman to teach at a minimum security prison in Alberta. Her desire to improve education and social policy have led her to political positions such as Alberta Human Rights Commissioner, Member of the World Congress on Education, the Métis Nation of Alberta and Alberta Minister Without Portfolio, Responsible for Children's Services. Her political achievements have earned her the privilege of being addressed as the Honourable Pearl Calhasen.
  Julie Khaner. Born December 5, 1957, Montreal, Quebec. This accomplished actor played Alana on Street Legal (CBC series) and Emily on Jake and the Kid (Global TV Series). She is also a regular on the CBC series Newsroom. Her TV guest roles have included Aderly, Night Heat, My Secret Identity and many more. In 2012 she had a recurring role in the TV series The Firm. Julie also has also appeared in the popular TV series Murdoch Mysteries. She also enjoys live stage work and has played various roles at the famous Stratford Festival located in Ontario.
December 6 Susanna Moodie. née Strickland. Born December 6, 1803, Bungay, England. Died April 8, 1885, Toronto, Ontario.  Susanna wrote her 1st children's book in 1822 and went on to publish other children's stories in London, England. On April 4, 1831 she married a retired military officer John Moodie. In 1832 Susanna, John and their daughter immigrated to Upper Canada settling just outside of Lakefield. Susanna lived the difficult life of a settler in Upper Canada and she wrote about her adventures in a famous book called Roughing it in the Bush. By 1853, living in Belleville, Upper Canada she wrote Life in the Clearings Versus the Bush. She was also an early Canadian journalist writing for the best of the Canadian literary journals of the day. She was very suspicious of the “Yankee” (American) influence on early Canada. Her sister, Catherine Parr Trail (1802-1899) was also a famous Canadian author. September  8 2003 Canada Post issued as special commemorative series for the 50th anniversary of the National Library of Canada which featured Susanna and her sister.
  Mabel Frances Timlin. Born December 6, 1891, Forest Junction, Wisconsin U.S.A. Died October 19, 1976, Saskatoon Saskatchewan. 'Timmie' moved to Saskatchewan from the United States in 1917. She worked as a secretary while studying at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1940 she earned a PhD at the University of Washington, Seattle, U.S.A. and returned to the University of Saskatchewan to teach economics. She would go on to write some of the basic Canadian economic works of the 1950's and 1960's. She would become the 1st woman to be elected to the executive committee of the American Economics Association from 1957-1960. Among her many awards were the Canada Centennial Medal 1967 and the Order of Canada.
December 7 Margaret Ruth Pringle Carse. Born December 7, 1916, Edmonton, Alberta. Died November 14, 1999, Ponoka, Alberta. This ballet dancer was a true pioneer of her profession in Western Canada. She founded the Alberta Ballet Company and it's associated school of dance. She studied with several leading institutions including the National Ballet of Canada and in New York City. An injury in 1954 forced her to retire from the stage. She turned her talents to teaching the youth of Western Canada. She was winner of the Dance Canada Award in 1989 and she holds the Order of Canada. 
  Tracy Wright. Born December 7, 1959, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 22, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. In 1989 Tracy was a founding member of the Toronto Augusta Company along with her future husband Don McKeller. One of Tracy's first major film role was in Highway 61 in 1991. As well as appearing in numerous films she appeared on television in such shows as Kids in the Hall and Twitch City.  In January 2010 she married fellow actor Don McKeller (1963-   ). In 2011 she was posthumously presented along with Co-star Molly Parker with the Best Actress at the A C T R A Awards for her role in Trigger. This role also saw her nominated for the Genie Award for Best Actress. (2021)
December 8 Edith Josie. Born December 8, 1921, Eagle, Alaska, U.S.A.  Died January 31,2010, Old Crow, Yukon. She was a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin Tribe, “People of the Lakes. Along with regular schooling, Edith learned the traditional sills of her peoples related to hunting Image result for edith josie imagesand living from the land. The family moved to the Yukon Territory upon the death of an Uncle. In the Yukon she would raise two of her three children and care for her aging parents. In 1957 she was appointed Justice of the Peace in her community of Old Crow. In 1962 Edith became a correspondent at the Whitehorse Star newspaper it was not long before her column “Here are the News” became popular and syndicated! She wrote of the everything and anything of interest to Old Crow and her readers were charmed with the description of everyday life in the Yukon bush. Her article went our each week on the local supply air route. Grammar, spelling and sentence structure with of little import to Edith. She wrote as she spoke. The writing style endeared her to her rapidly growing fan base which eventually reached across the globe, and was translated into several languages. Her work also became the base of several books. Her life was opened to CBC TV viewers, readers of magazines such as Weekend Magazine and Life. With all her success she remained humble and genuine. She received many honours such as the Canadian Centennial Medal of 1967, the Order of Canada in 1995 and the Aboriginal Achievement Award. She wrote her last column in 2005 but continued as an active elder in Old Crow.
  Hayley Wickenheiser. Born December 8, 1978, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. Team sports are her favourite. She played in competition in the World Junior Softball Championships in 1995. Then it was hockey. She played with a gold medal team at the 1997-99 World hockey Championships and the silver medal team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. She was invited to play with the Philadelphia Flyers training camp which she found a great opportunity to learn at the NHL level.  She was a member of the Canada women's national ice hockey tem for 23 years from 1994 until retirement in January 2017. She represented Canada at the Winter Olympics five times capturing four gold medals and one silver medal. She also represented Canada in softball at the 2000 summer Olympics. She is considered the greatest female ice hockey player in the world. In 2002-03 she played in a Finish men's hockey league and on January 31, 2003 she became the 1st woman to score a goal in a men's professional hockey league. In 2011 her hometown recreational complex in Shaunovon was named in her honour the Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre. On June 30, 2011 she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. She authored the book Gold Medal Diary: Inside the World's Greatest Sports Event. On February 20, 2014 she was elected to the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission and that same year she earned a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. In 2013 she earned a degree in kinesiology and went on to earn a Master's degree in 2016 from the University of Calgary. Hayley retired from competitive hockey in 2017 to spend more time with her adopted son and to continue her education. In 2018 she began studies as the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. In August 2018 Hayley was appointed Assistant Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League Toronto Maple Leafs. (2019)
December 9 Annie Charlotte Armitage Dalton. née Armitage. Born December 9, 1865, Berkby, Huddersfield, England. Died January 12, 1938 Vancouver, British Columbia. As a child Annie suffered from and eye weakness and was hearing impaired. She was educated privately and enjoyed writing from and early age. In 1891 she married businessman Willie Dalton (1866-1953) in in 1904 the couple emigrated to Canada where they became parents to a daughter. Her home in Vancouver, British Columbia became a meeting place for the writers and readers of the area. She would serve on the executive of the Vancouver Poetry Club and was an executive member of the Lower Mainland Branch of the Canadian Author’s Association and the Dominion Council. Left partially deaf from a childhood disease she became known as the Poet Laureate of the Deaf for her work on their behalf. She authored several books including The Marriage of Music, Flame and Adventure, and Lilies and Leopards. In 1935 she became the only woman, at the time, to become a member of the Order of the British Empire.  Sources: Collections notes UBC, Simon Fraser University. (2019)
  Annie Buller-Guralnick. née Buller. Born December 9 1895, Ukraine. Died Image result for Annie Buller-Guralnick imagesJanuary 19, 1973. She immigrated to Montreal from the Ukraine with her parents when she was a child. She studied Marxism at school and joined the Workers' (Communist) Party of Canada in 1922. She devoted herself to the politics of her party. She would help workers of all trades, from mining to dressmaking, form unions to better their working conditions. She retired in the late 1950's but continued to lend her experiences to the Party organization until her death. While Communism never gained a strong foothold in Canada, her devotion to the betterment of workers lives and the bravado she displayed in her beliefs is a strong legacy for all Canadian women. 
December 10 Ibolya ' Lbi' Szalai Grossman. née Szalai. Born December 10, 1916, Pécs, Hungary. Died March 11, 2005. In 1931 she joined the Zionist movement. In 1939 in Budapest she married Zoltan 'Zolti' Rechnitzer and the couple had one son. In 1944 Zolti was taken to a Jewish labour camp and never seen again. Her parents and two half sisters were taken to the Auschwitz gas champers. Liberated by the Russian army Lbi tried to escape Hungary but was arrested a jailed. In 1957 she was successful to escape and came to Toronto where the following year she married Emil Grossman. Lbi was a self-described “ordinary woman”. She was also a survivor. She survived the physical and mental horrors of the Hungarian Holocaust. She survived to escape to the west. She survived the obstacles of being a European immigrant Jew. She survived the change to a new and foreign culture and way of life in immigrating to Canada. She did all of this after her husband, her mother, father, and her sisters died in the death camps.  She survived to write her story in the hopes that the horrors will not happen again. Her book was entitled Ordinary Woman in Extraordinary Times was published in 1990. Janice Elspeth Dickin Cameron wrote her biography 'Write everything just as you know it: A portrait of Ibolya Szalai Grossman' as a chapter in the book Great Dames. (2019)
  Jessica Steen. Born December 10, 1965, Toronto, Ontario. There was a lot of time to practice acting in Jessica's house. There was always an annual Christmas skit, and trips to the theater with her director father. She had her 1st television role at the age of eight. In the mid 1960's she appeared in a TV movie with Lindsay Wagner and schoolmate Keanu Reeves. She has had roles in Touched by an Angel; The Outer Limits; ER;  Due South; Heartland. If her busy schedule between TV and movies allows it, she enjoys kayaking and rock climbing. She is also a volunteer with environmentalist David Suzuki. She is a certified diver and is skilled at several circus arts including walking on stilts and fire eating.
December 11
PaulineImage result for Pauline jewett imagese Jewett. Born December 11, 1922, St Catharines, Ontario.  Died July 5, 199, Pauline would use her own educational background at Queen’s, Radcliff, Harvard, Oxford and London School of Economics as a background for being a politician, educator and professor of political science. She was an elected member of parliament in the 1960's and again in the 1980's. She was appointed president of Simon Fraser University in 1974, the first woman to be head of a major co-educational university in Canada. She was appointed Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa in 1990, a position she held until her death. In 1992 Carleton University renamed its women's studies program to become the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women's Studies. She was also an Officer in the Order of Canada.
  Carolyn Jane Waldo-Baltzer. Born December 11 1964, Montreal, Quebec. After nearly drowning at the age of 3 years she took 7 years to overcome her fear of the water. In the 1984 Olympics she captured a silver medal in synchronized swimming! At the World Aquatic Championships she and partner Michelle Cameron won gold and Carolyn also took gold in the solo event.  In the 1988 Olympics she won gold in solo and again with Michelle won gold in duet.  She became the 1st Canadian woman to win 2 gold medals at one Olympics. In 1989 she married Thomas Michael Baltzer. Also in 1989 she was invested as an officer of the order of Canada. She currently perusing a career in sports broadcasting. She has also served as spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's National Drug Awareness Campaign. She has also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
December 12 Doreen Paterson Reitsma. née Paterson. Born December 12, 1927, Vancouver, British Columbia.  Died April 30, 2000, Delta, British Columbia. In 1949, while working at the front desk of the Hotel Vancouver, Doreen was inspired by meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, the former 1st Lady of the United States. Doreen took steps to make her dream of serving in the Canadian Military come true in 1951. She made history as the 1st to enlist in the new Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Navy. She began training October 2, 1951 as an elite radio intelligence operator for the top-secret wireless communications base in Cloverdale, New Brunswick. She also served a term at the Naval Radio Station at Churchill, Manitoba in 1953-54. On January 26, 1955, Doreen Patterson helped inspire Prime Minister Louis St Laurent and his cabinet to create a permanent and fully integrated regular force for women in the Royal Canadian Navy. This decision—the 1st in the Commonwealth—paved the way for thousands of Canadian women to follow in her footsteps. Doreen married Gerard 'Bill' Reitsma, a Korean War veteran, on August 18, 1960 and was the mother of two adopted children. Source: “Doreen Nettie Paterson Reitsma”  by  Raymond Reitsma , The Vancouver Hall of Fame, online
  Mina Suingai Shum. Born December 12 1965, (sometimes reported as 1966) Hong Kong. Her family immigrated to Vancouver British Columbia where Mina was raised. Mina studied for a degree in Theatre and then Film and TV Production at the University of British Columbia. She is a writer and producer of films and is perhaps best known for her work in short films. In 1993 her work Me, Mom and Mona, won a special Jury Citation for Best Canadian Short Film. She has won a Genie Award for Best Actress and Best Editing and she has been nominated for seven Genies in the categories of Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Screenplay. In 2015 she earned the Artistic Merit Award, Women in Film and Television Vancouver from the Vancouver International Film Festival.
December 13 Emily Carr. Born December 13, 1871, Victoria, British Columbia.  Died March 2,1945, Victoria, British Columbia. Emily is perhaps one of the most famous women painters in Canada. Her works bring alive the beautiful West Coast scenes with vibrant and distinct images. The swirling stokes of her brush created unique images of her paintings. Her canvases hang in many art galleries including the National Gallery in Ottawa. Totem poles of West Coast native peoples were also one of her favourite studies. Did you know she also wrote books? After suffering a couple of heart attacks in the late 1930's Emily lived with her sister Alice to recover. In 1940 and 1942 she suffered a stroke and anther heart attack. She turned her attention to writing with her 1st book Klee Wyck, published in 1941, garnered her the Governor-General's Award for non-fiction. You will find books showing her art and the books she wrote at your local public library. Image: Public Domain
  Michelle Tisseyre. née Ahern. Born December 13, 1918, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 21, 2014, Montreal, Quebec. Michelle joined Radio-Canada in 1941 and did pioneering work as a broadcast journalist on both radio and television as the first woman to present a 15-minute newsletter broadcast in C B C's French services. Fluently bilingual she was an asset to the C B C and was assigned to C B C International Service from 1944-1946 where she was hostess for the show La Voix du Canada for the French armed services. In 1936 she was the first French Canadian to study history and philosophy at McGill University, Montreal. She dropped her college studies and married Jacques de Braband in 1937.  During the second world war her husband left her and they divorced in 1946 leaving her with their one child. On January 17, 1947 she married Pierre Tisseyre (1905-1995) and the couple had four children together. After 1947 she became a freelance broadcaster and was a director with Radio-Canada from 1953 through 1960. In 1948 she started to perform for theatre with a radio play and continued to act for theatres in Montreal until 1970. In 1970 she became a translator  working with her husband at Les Editions Pierre Tisseyre. in 1975 she would earn the Governor General's Award for translation of Winter by Morley Callaghan. She also translated worked from English by Margaret Lawrence, W. O. Mitchell and Robertson Davies.  She also became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001. At 80 in 2001 she returned to college and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University, Montreal. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia
December 14 Blanche Lemco van Ginkel. née Lemco. Born December 14,1923, London, England. Blanche studied architecture at McGill University, Montreal and graduated in 1945. In 1950 she studied city planning at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. She was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Harvard University, the Université de Montreal and McGill University. Blanche and her husband, Sandy Van Ginkel (1920-2009)  are Architects and urban planners. The couple founded their own firm in 1957 in Toronto. They have worked on plans for old city of Montreal, new Montreal, New York City, Calgary, and even development sites for the Canadian Arctic. They were also involved in the planning of Expo 67. She was the 1st woman to hold a leading position at a Canadian School of architecture when she served as Dean of Architecture, University of Toronto, 1980-1982. She was elected as an officer and a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and was the 1st Canadian woman to serve as president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.
  Grace Ledoux Zoldy. née Ledoux. Born December 13, 1933, Camperville, Manitoba. Still speaks the Michif, Cree and Saulteaux languages. She has been a lifelong active member of the Manitoba Image result for Grace ledoux zoldyMétis Federation where she became A spokeswoman of Métis Women in Manitoba. She married Gaspar Zoldy and the couple has 3 children. Grace worked for 7 years at the Sanatorium at The Pas in the kitchen and dining room.  After two years of training she became a Home Advisor for Northern Affairs, a job she held for ten years. She also a passionate and advocates for the preservation of the Michif language and is active in the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Michif Language Program. With Heritage Canada she has participated in language focus groups in national heritage languages as well as being an active member of the National Michif Speakers’ group that was founded in 2006.  Grace visited California to learn from Native people who were actually delivering the a language  program which  is a complete immersion program where the speakers, usually elders, commit to teaching the language on a one-on-one basis in the home and in the community. The California program is a community-centered approach that allows speakers to effectively pass on their language to learners without classrooms, books or language experts.  She has been paramount in introducing this program in the teaching of the Michif language. She published in 2003 Li Liivr Oche Michif Ayamiiawina: The Book Of Michif Prayers.  In 2010 she was honoured at the Keeping the Fires Burning aboriginal awards celebrating female leaders for preserving First Nations culture and serving as role models for younger generations. Sources; Matt Preprost, “Gala recognizes accomplishments”.  Winnipeg Free Press June 18, 2010 Page A13; Lawrence Barkwell, Grace Ledoux Zoldy, Métis Museum, Online
December 15 Ida Haendel. Born December 15, 1924, Chelm, Poland. Ida is said to have picked up her father's violin at the age of three. In 1933 she won the Warsaw (Poland) Conservatory gold medal and the 1st Henryk Weniawski Violin Competition. This violinist is known for her flawless technique and beauty of tone when she plays. She had a long international career beginning as a child prodigy in Poland, playing for British servicemen in World War II England. She made annual tours in Europe and ventured to South America and Asia. She lived in Montreal from 1952 through 1989. She was the 1st western soloist invited to China after the Cultural Revolution in that country. She is a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 2006 she performed for Pope Benedict XVI. She moved to Miami, Florida, U.S.A. where is actively involved in the Miami International Piano Festival. She is also a sought after adjudicator for violin competitions.
  Chantal Peticlerc. Born December 15, 1969, Saint-Marc-des Carriéres, Quebec. When she was just 13 she lost the use of both legs in an accident. At 18 she was introduced to wheelchair sports at Université Laval, Quebec City. Coming dead last in her 1st race only encouraged her to get more involved. This television host for Lotto Quebec has become the 1st woman Canadian star in the sport of wheelchair athletics. She participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games winning two bronze medals. In the summer of 1995 she won 5 gold medals at the world championships for wheel chair athletics, and in 1996 she brought home 5 medal from the Paralympics. In 2002 she received the Queen's Jubilee Medal. In 2004, in Athens, Greece, she earned her 1st Olympic Games gold. In 2005 she became a Knight in the Order of Quebec. In 2008 she would earn 5 gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics Games. In 2008 she received the Lou March Award as Canada’s top athlete and the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year. In 2009 she held world records in the 100 meter (m), 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m events. That same year she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario and was inducted as a Companion in the Order of Canada. She is active in the Right To Play as athlete ambassador and motivational speaker, inspiring countless people to overcome challenges. In 2012 she became a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.  March 16, 2016 she was named to the Senate of Canada. Image copyright Famous Canadian Women (2020)
December 16 Barbara Kent. née Cloutman. Born December 16, 1907, Gadsby, Alberta. Died Palm Desert, California October 13, 2011. Barbara and her family moved to California when she was a teenager. In 1925 she won the Miss Hollywood Beauty pageant. Described as gorgeous, full-figured, and baby faced, and even though she had never acted previously, she was signed up by Universal Studios. Her debut was as the only woman in the western Prowlers of the Night, batting her eyelashes as she nursed the wounded sheriff back to health. In the landmark 1926 film Flesh and the Devil, opposite Greta Garbo, the lovelorn Kent displayed her broken heart in an Oscar-worthy supporting performance. She starred in Lonesome , the last great silent American film in 1928. Barbara's natural voice was a bit too “tinny” and her career in the  talkies was in doubt. Determined she took voice lessons. Her career peaked when she played superstar Harold Lloyd's love interest in his 1st two talkies, Welcome Danger and Feet First. In 1932 she married  Harry Edington, a longtime Hollywood producer. He tried to revive his wife’s career in the late 1930s, but her roles became smaller and films less prestigious. Her last film was Guard That Girl in 1935.  After her husband died in 1949, Barbara retired from  show business retreating from public view and refusing all demands for photographs and interviews.  She married a second time to engineer Jack Monroe who died in 1998. She had been living in a retirement home in Sun Valley, where  neighbors were unaware she had once graced the silver screen.  At the age of 103 she was one of the last surviving silent screen actors. Sources: Bergan, Ronald “Alberta –born silent film star transitioned to talkies, then retired”  The Globe and Mail October 31, 2011 page R9  (accessed November 2011. )  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa.
  Karleen Bradford. Born December 16, 1936, Toronto, Ontario. Karleen was nine when she moved with her family Argentina, South America and returned to Canada to attend university.  After graduation she traveled the world for 34 years as a Foreign Service Officer. Since 1977 she has enjoyed producing some 20 books for young adult readers. She is a working mother of three children who also found time to contribute to her profession by holding positions at organizations such as the Writers Union of Canada, the Canadian Authors' Association and the Public Lending Rights Commission. Her own books have won awards such as; The Max and Greta Ebel Award 1990 ( Windward Island ) and the Young Adult Canadian Book Award of the Canadian Library Association in 1993. The titles of some of her other books include: The Nine Days Queen, The Haunting at Cliff House, There Will Be Wolves, Animal Heroes, Shadows on a Sword. Check the shelves of your local public Library for these exciting titles.
December 17 Enid Finley Gordon. Born December 17, 1896, Montreal, Quebec. Died January 24, 1974, Toronto, Ontario. Enid studied, for the beginning of her medical training, Medical Gymnastics in Heidelberg, Germany. She followed this with studies in physiotherapy at the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Institute and School of Mechanotherapy. She returned to Montreal to work at the Belmont Convalescent Home for war veterans and taught massage at McGill University. When it opened in 1918 Enid worked at the Military School of Orthopedic Surgery at Hart House, University of Toronto. Shortly after it opened, the government, which saw no need for such a centre, closed it down. By February 1, 1919 Enid was working at the Dominion Orthopedic Hospital for Veterans as supervisor. In January 1918, Dr. Lawrence Bruce Robertson (1885-1924) was sent home from the European war front to rest and recuperate. He began working at the same hospital as Enid. On April 17, 1940 the couple were married. They would have two children. After her marriage Enid  returned to efforts towards the formation of what would become the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. As a widow by 1924, Enid took the children to Europe, returning only when they were old enough for school. She worked to establish a two year diploma program in physiotherapy at the University of Toronto which opened in 1920. In 1930 she married Dr. Duncan Graham. At the beginning of World War ll she convinced the Canadian Military to formerly acknowledge the need for physiotherapists. 138 physiotherapists volunteered for overseas service with pay and privileges equal to male volunteers of the same rank. (2020)
  Frances Helen Dafoe Bogin. Born January 17, 1929, Toronto, Ontario. Died September 23, 2016, Toronto, Ontario. In 1952 she and her partner Norris Bowden (1926-1991) placed second in the pairs event at the figure skating championships. They would go on to place 1st a title they would hold through to 1955. In the 1952, their 1st Olympic appearance the couple place 5th. It was said that their style of skating featuring imaginative lifts and jumps was considered too “athletic” for the European judges. In 1953 they became the 1st Canadians to win the World Pairs Figure skating and they repeated another world win in 1954. They would hold the North American Championships titles from 1953-1956. In 1955 the pair were inducted into the Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame. In the Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics in 1956 they earned a silver medal. In 1958 the couple were inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Frances studied at the Central Technical School, Toronto and later at the Parsons School of Design, New York City, U.S.A. After her retirement from completion Frances had a successful career as a fashion designer in television, theartre, and ballet. She worked with the CBC from 1956 through 1994 designing costumes for shows  as well as a series of figure skating specials. She designed for 18 original productions at the Charlottetown Festival in Prince Edward Island, the royal Winnipeg Ballet and Stars on Ice. In 1967 she received the Canada Confederation Medal. She remained involved in her sport as a judge, including the 1994 Winter Olympic Games, Lillehammer, Norway. She was a team leader and of course she enjoyed designing costumes for such Canadian greats as Toller Cranston. In 1991 she was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada. In 1993 the pair were inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. In 2002 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal. Married in 1994 she died just months after her husband Paul Matthew Bogin.
December 18 Emma Caslor. née Enid Maud Carmichael. Born December 18, 1913, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Died December 25, 1977, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Emma enjoyed piano lessons as a child and as a youth too voice in San Francisco, U.S.A., Vancouver, British Columbia, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was introduced to the joy of folk music in 1930 while living on Canada's east coast. Until 1948 she used the professional name of Nina Finn when singing and playing public and radio performances. In the 1940's she worked for the National Film board in Ottawa. After 1948 she took the professional name of Emma Caslor and began her own career as a singer. Her music embraced at first the Celtic roots but soon took on the folk cultures of Canada's full diversity from aboriginal music to Elizabethan songs.
  Henrietta Louise Edwards. Born December 18, 1849, Montreal, Quebec. Died November 10, 1931, Fort Macleod, Alberta. As a young woman she studied art in New York, U.S.A.Image result for henrietta louise edwards Her works were acknowledged in showing by the Royal Canadian Academy and her miniature portraits included Sir Wilfrid Laurier. She Married Dr. Oliver Cromwell Edwards in 1876 and they had a family of three children. She continued her social activities all her life working for un-enfranchised women, public library support and equal rights. At eighty she went to a tea in Edmonton and became one of the “Famous Five” women who took the Person case to England and had Canadian women declared” persons” under the law. Women, as 'non-persons' had no rights to own land, serve in government and had very few legal rights prior to 1929. Why not read about the 'Persons Case' at the web site for the Library and Archives Canada.
December 19 Joanne Gard Marshall. Born December 19, 1945. Joanne earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Calgary in Alberta and went on to earn a Master of Library Science (M .L. S.) from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. She worked as a Reference and Orientation Librarian at the University of Calgary for a year in 1968 prior to moving to work as a Librarian at the Health Sciences Library at McMaster University. She earned a second Masters degree, this time in Health Sciences from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario in 1978 prior to earning her PhD. from the University of Toronto in Public Health Sciences in 1987. Dr. Marshall is a librarian and professor at the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto. She also holds cross appointments with the Department of Health Administration at the Centre for Health Promotion and Institute for Human Development, Life Course and Aging. While librarians are often seen as holding a special contributive role in a community, Dr. Marshall has earned special recognition within her profession. She is the recipient of several awards including the Eliot Prize from the Medical Library Association and the Award of Outstanding Achievement from the Canadian Health Library Association.In 2001 she became a Fellow, Special Libraries Association and the following year a Fellow of the Medical Library Association.  Since July 1, 2004 she has been an Alumni Distinguished Professor at the University of Toronto. She served as President of the Medical Library Association 2004-2005. During her career she has authored numerous in depth professional journal articles and had published seven books in her field.
  Lorie Kane. Born December 19, 1964, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Growing up Lori enjoyed playing baseball, field hockey and even tried gymnastics and synchronized swimming but was her father who started her playing golf when she was just five. At 13 she was competing in her 1st tournament. In 1982 to 1985 she won the Junior Girls Provincial titles in golf. She went on to win the PEI Womens’ Amateur Champion from 1987-1992 and then captured the National Ladies Amateur title from 1996-1999 and again in 2001. In 1997 she made her first appearance at a tournament in the Ladies Professional Golf Association and has won tournaments in the LPGA tournaments through 2004. In 1998 she received the Heather Farr Perseverance Award and a four-time LPGA Tour winner. She also received the William and Mousie Powell Award in recognition of her exemplary spirit of the LPGA. She has won the LPGA Legends Tour four times. In 2016 she was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
December 20 Judy Verlyn LaMarsh. Born December 20, 1924, Chatham, Ontario. Died October 27, 1980. Like many women of her generation Judy attended Normal School to train as a teacher. Instead of teaching she joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps and served from 1943-1946. After her military service Judy attended the University of Toronto for her B.A. and then attended Osgoode Hall Image result for judy lamarsh imagesand was called to the bar as a lawyer in 1950. As a politician she was elected to the House of Commons in Ottawa in a by-election in the fall of 1960. In 1963 she became the second woman to be appointed to a Cabinet position in the Canadian government. This colourful, flamboyant woman, as Minister of Health and Welfare, introduced the Canada Pension Plan and supervised the drafting of what became Canada’s Medicare system. She became the 1st official in the western world government to oppose tobacco smoking publicly. As Secretary of State for Canada she presided over the 1967 Centennial Year celebrations for Canada with great flair.  She also established the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. She left politics after Canada’s Centennial Year using her time in retirement to author 3 books including her autobiography, Memoirs of a Bird in a Gilded Cage in 1969. She became a broadcaster and hosted own weekday radio program on CBC Radio. She returned to work as a lawyer and in 1974 defended the Brunswick Four in a prominent LGBT Case. In April 1975 she headed the Ontario Royal Commission on Violence in the Communications Industry.  Ill with pancreatic cancer she was inducted into the Order of Canada from her hospital bed on July 22, 1980. The Government of Canada Building in Chatham, Ontario is known as the Judy LaMarsh Building. Sources: Judy LaMarsh, Making Medicare: the history of health care in Canada 1914-2007, www.historymuseum.ca (Accessed 2007); Canadian Encyclopedia Online (Accessed 2004)
December 21 Marie Madeleine Maufils dit de St Louis. Baptized December 21, 1671. Buried December 5, 1702.  In 1687 she became one of the religious Hospitallers at the Hôtel-Dieu. She was known as Mother Maufils. She was a talented painter and artist who is credited with some of the artistic panels in the Chapel of the Hôpital Générale in Quebec city. She died during the small pox epidemic during the winter of 1702-1703. (2017)
  Kimberly Barber. Born December 21, 1959, Guelph, Ontario. Kimberly Image result for Kimberly Barber imagesgraduated from the University of Toronto in 1983. She went on to earn a diploma in operatic performances two years later and joined the Canadian Opera Company. From 1989 through 1994 she sang with the Opera Frankfurt in Germany.  In 2002 she made her New York Opera debut and that same year she began teaching at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario and became coordinator of the university's opera program. She also has made numerous recordings and has a solo disc of Handel and Hass arias for CBC Records. (2019)
 
December 22 Sara Jeanette Duncan. Born December 22, 1861, Brantford, Upper Canada (Ontario). Died July 22, 1922, Ashtead, England. Like many women of her era she trained as a teacher at the Toronto Normal School graduating in 1882. Her 1st published poems appeared in 1880 and an article was published a year later. In 1884 she published articles on the World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans. She published the articles under the pseudonym (pen name) ‘Garth’ and the articles were picked up by American papers. In 1886 she took over the ‘Woman’s World’ section of the Globe. Using her own name she also wrote a column for the Toronto literary periodical Week on important intellectual issues of the day. She left Toronto in November 1887 to work for the Montreal Star and by February 1888 she was the papers parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa. She and fellow journalist, Lily Lewis, moved around the world sending stories of their exploits to the Montreal Star. These stories Jeannette turned into a novel in 1890, A social departure; how Orthodocia and I went around the world by ourselves. The trip provided fodder for two additional publications. In 1890 she married Everard Charles Coates in Calcutta, India. Her 1st novel appeared in 1894. A daughter of to-day was the 1st book to appear under the name of Mrs. Everard Coates (Sara Jeannette Duncan). After her marriage she continued producing a steady number of articles and worked on the autobiographical work, On The Other Site published in 1901. She would publish 22 books in her lifetime and she had more planned. During World War l she travelled between India and London , England working on an original stage play which were sadly unsuccessful. In 1919 the couple settled in England. She died of chronic lung problems exacerbated by her smoking.
  Myriam Bedard. Born December 22, 1969, Neufchatel, Quebec. As a teenager with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets Myriam took up biathlon, the sport  combining shooting and skiing, and entered her 1st competition on rented skis. By 1987 she was Canadian junior champion.  In 1991 she was the Image result for Myriam Bedard images2nd Canadian to win a World Cup in Biathlon. She won a bronze medal in the Olympic games in 1992 when women's biathlon was a demonstration sport.  The next year it was a  a gold at the World Championship. She went n to win gold for the 7.5 km inaugural event, and a gold in the 15 km event at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.  She was the 1st non-European to win gold in Biathlon. She received the Lou Marsh Trophy for the year's top performance by a Canadian athlete as well as the Velma Springstead Trophy as Canada’s top female athlete in 1994. She is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. She is also an honorary member of the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario. She left the sport to give birth to her daughter but never had a successful return to her sport. After the 1998 Winter Olympics she retired officially. In the early 200's she became embroiled in Political Scandal. December 8, 2006 she was in trouble with the law and accused of kidnapping her daughter and fleeing to the United States. She was found guilty of child abduction and sentenced to a conditional discharge and two years probation. A contempt of court charge saw her serving 45 days of community service.
December 23 Catriona LeMay Doan. Born December 23, 1970, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This young skater from the Canadian prairies is a member of the national long track speed skating team.  She won 2 medals in the Olympics in Nagano, Japan. In 1997-8 she was the fastest woman on ice!  She lost only one 500m race all year! In 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games she the 500m title a second time. She was World Sprint Champion in 1998 and 2002 and World Champion 500 m 1998,1999 and 2001. In 200 she won a 500 m bronze. She won the 500m World cup 4 time from 1998 to 2002. November 22, 1997 she became the 1st woman to break the 38 second barrier for the 500 m skating 37.90 in Calgary, Alberta. Within the next 4 years she broke this record 6 times and on December 2001 she did 37.22.No other woman has set eight consecutive World Records in one distance. Between 7 January 2001 and 24 February 2001, Le May Doan even had the 14 best times ever skated on that distance. Catriona retired from competitive skating in 2003. She married Bart Doan, a rodeo cowboy and the couple have two children. She is actively involved in public speaking where she is challenging and motivating people to achieve their full potential. She is also an Olympic Games broadcaster for the CBC TV In 2002 she published an autobiography called Going for Gold.
  Miriam Waddington. née Dworkin Born December 23, 1917, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died March 3, 2004, Vancouver, British Columbia. She had a traditional  Jewish upbringing and found it somewhat of a shock when her family moved to Ottawa and she attended Public High School. She earned her BA at the university of Toronto in 1939 and that same year married Patrick Waddington. She e earned a diploma in Social work at the University of Toronto and went on to earn her Masters in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1949. She was a social worker in Toronto and later in Montreal but her love of poetry would soon lead her life in a different direction.  She wrote poetry and short fiction with 11 published works to her credit. Miriam's book Driving Home won the J. I. Segal Award in 1972 and she was 2 times the winner of Senior Writing Fellowships from the Canada Council. She won the Boreston Mountain Awards for best poetry in 1963, 1966 and again in 1974. She was a specialist on the subject of A.M. Klein. In 1998 she was the Canada Council exchange poet in Wales. She served as Writer in Residence at Windsor Public Library and later at the University of Ottawa. Her poem Jacques Cartier In Toronto is featured on the Back of the Canadian $100.00 Bill issued in 2004. Source: Menkis, Richard "Miriam Dworkin Waddington" Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia. March 2009. Jewish Women's Archive. Accessed June 30, 2013.
December 24 Marie Elmina Anger. Born December 24, 1844, Pointe-aux-Trembles (Neuville) Lower Canada (now Quebec). Died November 5, 1901, Quebec City, Quebec. Educated as a teenager with the Sisters of the Good Shepard in Quebec City, she entered the order and took vows and became Sister Marie de Jésus July 20, 1860. While she became a good teacher herself she was better known for her talents in painting. She was particularly good as a portrait artist and would, in her lifetime, produce some 50 portraits of religious colleagues of her day. People who would sit for portraits included Elisabeth Bryière, Archbishop Baillagon, Cardinal Tachereau and Vicar General Cazeau. Through her own canvases and her teachings, Sister Marie de Jésus left a rich cultural and religious heritage to Quebec.
  Lise Marie Ducet. Born December 24, 1958, Bathurst, New Brunswick. Lyse attended Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 1980. While at university she wrote for the university newspaper. She went on in 1982 to earn her Master's in International Relations from the University of Toronto. After graduating she volunteered for four months to teach English in the Ivory Coast, Africa. In 1983 she worked as a freelance journalist in West Africa for Canadian media and began working for the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). By 1988 she was reporting from Pakistan. From 1989to 1993 she was the BBC correspondent in Islamabad also reporting from Afghanistan and Iran. 1994 found her at the BBC office in Amman, Jordan. She served from Jerusalem and across the middle East through to 1999. In 2003 she earned a Silver Sony Award for News Broadcaster of the Year. In 2010 she earned a Peabody Award for her film work in Afghanistan. That same year she earned the Sony Radio Academy Award for Best News Journalist. 2007 saw named the International Television Personality of the Year by the Association for International Broadcasting and the News and Factual Award from the Women in Film and Television. In 2014 she made the documentary Children of Syria which was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2015. That same year she made the documentary Children of the Gaza War. In 2014 she became an Officer in the Order of the British Empire (OBE). She also received a Bayeux-Calvados Award for war correspondents. In 2017 she earned the Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting Award at the International Media Awards. Starting in January 2018 she began presenting Her Story Made History; a five-part series on the BBC Radio featuring in-depth interviews with remarkable women with the theme showing the relationship between women and democracy. Proud of her roots she attends the Acadian World Congress which is held every five years. In 2018 she became a Member of the Order of Canada.
December 25 Isabella Valancy Crawford. Born December 25, 1847, Dublin, Ireland. Died February 12, 1887, Toronto, Ontario. Isabella emigrated with her family from Ireland around 1857. Image result for isabella valancy crawford imagesAt one point when life was at its worst for the family they became acquainted with Richard Strickland of Lakefield, Upper Canada (now Ontario) and his famous writing sister Susanna Moodie (1803-1885) and Catherine Parr Trail (1802-1899) and this is perhaps when Isabella began writing. In 1869 the family settled in Peterborough, Ontario and she published her 1st poem in the Toronto Mail newspaper on December 24, 1873.  After the death of her father in 1875 she began publishing popular verse and serialized novels in publications in Toronto and New York City, U.S.A. By 1876 she was living in Toronto, Ontario. In 1884 she published her only book; Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie and Other Poems.  She would be the 1st important woman poet in Canada. A complete collection of her works was published posthumously. She had died in poverty and for years her body lay in an unmarked grave. A fundraising campaign was begun in 1899, and on 2 November 1900, a six-foot Celtic Cross was raised above her grave, inscribed: "Isabella Valancy Crawford / Poet / By the Gift of God."
  Alannah Myles. née Byles  Born December 25, 1958. When Alannah was just nine years old she began writing her own songs. This rock singer began playing the guitar at age 11. At 19 she changed her name to Myles while appearing in TV commercials  She was unable to gain the attention of Canadian companies for her music so she released her records through a New York company in the United States  By the time she was in her mid 20's she had produced her debut album. She appeared in guest spots on Canadian television and film productions. She won a Grammy for her first album. An album in 1995 was simply called Alannah. In August 2007 she released a solo album which was a tribute to Elvis on itunes to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death. April 2008 she released her 5th studio album Black Velvet.  August 2013 for her 25th anniversary  her Black Velvet album was retiled 85bpm and repackaged with new images.
December 26 Elizabeth Russell. Born December 26, 1754, England  Died 1822, Toronto, Upper Canada (now Ontario). After the death of her father she moved to the Canada's with her older half brother, Peter. Peter was an administrator in the colony. She became an able entertainer on behalf of her brother and his position in York (Toronto), socializing with the elite society of the day. In her letters and diary she has left a detailed picture of one woman's life in early Upper Canada. (2017)
  Shirley Patterson. Born December 26, 1922, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died April 4, 1995, Fort Related imageLauderdale, Florida, U.S.A. The family relocated to Los Angeles, California , U.S.A. to help her father's health. in her early 20's she was a California beauty contestant and soon found herself working at Columbia Pictures. During her acting career she was sometimes billed as Shawn Smith. Shirley appeared in 40 movies and also would have guest appearances in television shows. In 1943 she appeared in the serial Batman which had 15 chapters. Many of her movies were the popular western genre. Shirley left movies when she married Alfred F. Smith. In the 1950's she returned to films with her last films being science fiction movies. (2019)
December 27 Mary Evangeline Percy Jackson. Born December 27, 1904, Dudley England. Died May 6 2000.  From the time she was 11 she had wanted to study medicine. Graduating from Birmingham University in 1927, as best all round student, she answered a Canadian advertisement for women doctors for the Prairies. Her practice would cover 560 square kilometers and patients would be reached on horseback. In spring 1929 her trip to settle in Battle River required a 24 hour train trip,18 hours by boat and an 11 hour 28 kilometers wagon ride to work in a small cabin with no electricity and no phone. March 10, 1931 she would marry a persistent suitor, Frank Jackson and move north to Keg River. Here she settled into home life with two step sons and opened a medical practice for the local Métis, unsupported financially by the government. She and Frank would add two children to the family farm. In 1953 the family was given the Master Farm Award by the province. In 1965 a school was named in Mary’s honour. More acknowledgements of her work would come in the form of the Centennial Medal in 1967, The Woman of the year Award from the Voce of Native Women in 1975.In 1983 she received the Alberta Order of Excellence followed in 1990 with an Order of Canada. Mary always found her work to be a gift not a chore and this was felt by her appreciative clients. Source  Rebel Women: Achievements beyond the ordinary by Linda Kupecek. (Canmore, AB : Altitude Publishing, 2003) pg 83-94. :
  Anna Claudia Russell. Born December 27, 1911, London, England. Died October 18, 2006, Rosedale, New South Wales, Australia. Claudia's mother was Canadian and in 1939, after the death of her father, the family settled in Toronto. Anna married twice: John Denison from 1934- 1946 and Charles Goldhamer 1948-1954 but both marriages ended in divorce. Although she had appeared as a fold singer on the British Broadcasting Network in England in 1931 it was not until the family was in Canada that she found success. By 1940 she was successful on stage as a solo artist. Her one woman comedy show debuted in New York City in 1948 and became  a U.S., Britain, and Australian tour that would be one of many English Language country tours. By 1953 “Anna Russell’s Little Show” was on Broadway, the 1st of several Broadway shows. She also appeared on the Ed Sullivan television show, performed at Carnegie Hall as well as for the Canadian and Metropolitan Opera Companies. Her operatic parodies were famous. Some even said she was the funniest woman in the world. In the 1960’s she retired to Unionville, Ontario, living on a street names in her honour. In the next 2 decades she would come back to the stage in several farewell tours to satisfy public demand. In 1985 her auto biography was published under the title; I Didn’t Make This Up You Know. She spent the last years of her life in Australia. Source: Obituary  by Patrick O’Connor, The Guardian, October 24, 2006.
December 28 Fanny “Bobbie” Rosenfeld. Born  December 28, 1903, Ekaterinoslav, Russia (Now Dnipro, Ukraine). Died November 13, 1969, Toronto Ontario. While she was still and infant her family relocated to Canada settling in Barrie, Ontario. As a child growing up she loved to run and she loved competition winning her 1st race at a picnic when she was 9 years old. In 1922 the family relocated to Toronto where Fanny worked at a Chocolate factory. She also enjoyed playing basketball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis. She also played ice hockey in the 1920's and 1930's where she was considered a superwoman and was one of Canada's female hockey players playing for the Toronto Patterson Pats. She helped to form the Ladies Ontario Hockey association in 1924 and served as president from 1934-1939. She was a member of the 1928 Olympic team, the 1st time Canadian women competed. This 1928 women's team was dubbed The Matchless Six since they earned medals in Track and Field. Bobbie won a gold medal for the 400 meter relay and a silver medal for the 100 meter event.  She retied from competition in 1933 after developing arthritis. In 1934 she was coach of the Canadian women's track and field team at the British Commonwealth Games, London, England. In 1936 she began working as a journalist in the sports department of the Toronto Globe and Mail newspaper where in 1937 she introduced a column called Feminine Sports Reel. She covered women's sports for 18 years. In 1939 she was the coach of Langley's Lakesides softball team. In 1950 she was declared Canada’s woman athlete of the half century.  She earned the nick name Bobbie for her short 'bobbed' haircut. In 1955 she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. The Bobbie Rosenfeld Award is given to Canada's female athlete of the year. Photo © Canada Post Corporation used with permission
  Michelle Cameron-Cloutier. Born December 28, 1962, Calgary, Alberta. From 1981through 1988 she was on the synchronized swimming team that would win 6 of 8 national championships. She was a member of the team that demonstrated the new sport to the International Olympic Committee to have the Games accept the sport. She and her partner Carolyn Waldo were the gold medal team in the 1988 Olympics. She is a member of the Alberta sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. As of 2000 she is included in the International Aquatic Sports Hall of Fame. In 1988 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. In 1991 she was the Assistant Chief du Mission for the World Aquatic Gamed in Perth Australia and in 1996 she served as Athlete Services Officer for the Atlanta Olympic Games. She an active volunteer who has served on numerous Boards with Rogers Broadcasting, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, special Olympics, and the Canadian Olympic Alumni. She began a charitable foundation that was inspired by her children called “A gift of Love” to share and help others and has her own company “Gold Medal Inspiration”. Michelle married Al Cameron and the couple have four children. Source: Alberta Sports Hall of Fame online (accessed January 2014)
December 29 Sarah Deblois. Born December 29, 1753, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.. Died December 25, 1827, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She married successful merchant, George Deblois on Christmas Day 1771 and raised a family of nine  children. In April 1775 the family fled to Halifax, Nova Scotia. As loyalists or people who had left the colonies in the United States because they were still loyal to the British monarchy, her family relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1777 they once again tried living in the U.S.A. but returned to Halifax in 1781. When her husband died June 18, 1799 she assumed supervision of his highly successful merchant  business. The store, S. Deblois sold imported dry goods and hardware. She was somewhat of a novelty in Halifax society and the business survived difficult times. In 1802 Sarah and some of her children sailed to once more settle in Massachusetts but maintained her Halifax business. She provided a solid foundation for the business which continued as a family business into the 19th century.
  Liisa Savigarvi. Born December 29,1963, Bracebridge, Ontario. She learned to ski at 14 months! She was Image result for Liisa Savijarvi.  imagesa national competitor at 14 years. She burst onto the alpine ski scene in 1980 with great performances in the Ontario and Canadian Junior Championships. She was a member of the Canada Ski Team in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. In 1985 she was overall alpine Canadian Champion. In 1986 she was named Ski Racing's Alpine Skier of the year and awarded the National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) Kodak Award of Excellence. She was forced out of competition in 1987-88 season after shattering her knee and injuring her back while in World Cup training. She continued her involvement in the sport as a Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance Level 111 Coach with the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation and co-proprietor of Ski Escape, an independent traveling ski school  with operations in four provinces and 30 Programmes across Canada. In 1997 she was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.
December 30 Sondra Gotlieb. née Kaufman. Born December 30, 1936, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sondra is a novelist who has has also authored two Canadian cookbooks. She writes articles for such notable publications as Saturday Night, Maclean’s, and the New York Times. She married in 1955 to Allan Gotlieb, a former Canadian Ambassador to the United States. The couple have three children. Her book, Rollercoaster recounts they years in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. during the Reagan presidential era. During this time she wrote popular columns for the Washington Post. Invitations to their Washington parties were highly coveted. The family returned to live in Toronto after their diplomatic posing ended.  In 1978 she earned the Stephen Leacock Prize for her novel True Confessions Or How My Family Arranged My Marriage. She wrote a regular weekly column for the National Post newspaper retiring in 2015. In 2004 she published When I Rises Up, I Gets Confused: The Best of Sondra Gotlieb.
  Linda Thom. Born December 30, 1943, Hamilton, Ontario. She is a strong and highly motivated Olympic medalist. She first became interested in shooting as a child, when she learned the basics of the sport from her shooting enthusiast father. She successfully entered pistol competitions in 1969. By the mid 1970's she concentrated on her career as a chef and on family life. She took up the challenge of shooting again when it was announced that women would compete in this event in the Olympic Games.  Her pistol individual gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles games was the first for a Canadian women and the first gold medal for a Canadian woman since 1928. Linda felt that the Gold Medal belonged to all the people of Canada, and she carried it with here wherever she went so that people could see and touch the medal for themselves. Linda is the first pistol shooter included into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. In 1985 she received the Order of Canada.
December 31 Bella Image result for Bella Hall Gauld. imagesHall Gauld. Born December 31,1878, Lindsay, Ontario. Died August 21,1961, Montreal, Quebec. A political and social activist she worked with immigrants, founded the Labour College (1920-1924), and the Woman’s Labour League which sponsored camps for poor children. She became interested in the political beliefs of Communism, these beliefs she would retain all of her life. In the desperate 1930’s she operated a soup kitchen and played piano at fundraisers for various ethnic communities. During World War II she was a frequent soloist at navy league concerts for servicemen.  The 1968 book Not by Gods But By People told her story.
 
  Elizabeth Arden. (Real name Florence Nightingale Graham). Born December 31, 1878, Woodbridge, Ontario. Died October 18, 1966, New York City, New York, U.S.A. She left Woodbridge Ontario for the bright lights of New York City when she was 25 years old. Image result for elizabeth arden. imagesAfter working as secretary at a cosmetic firm she decided that she would work in the cosmetic business herself. The rest is history. In 1909 she formed a short livered partnership with Elizabeth Hubbard and the trade name Elizabeth was sued to save money on her salon signage. She would choose the name Arden from a local farm of that name. In 1910 she founded the Red Door Salon in New York City. In 1912 she traveled to France to learn beauty secrets of Paris salons. In 1934 she opened a residential spa in Rome, Maine the 1st destination beauty spa in the U.S.A. Along with her rival, Helena Rubenstein, she made make-up acceptable to the average North American woman. She pioneered such concepts as scientific formulation of cosmetics, beauty makeovers, and coordination colours of eye, lip and facial makeup. At the peak of her career, she was on of the wealthiest women in the world. In 1962 she received the Legion d'Honeur from France for her contribution to the cosmetics industry.  You can see for yourself all the various products her company makes at most large department stores cosmetic sections. She is buried in Sleepy Hollow, New York under the name Elizabeth N. Gordon.

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