Events listed relate to Canadian women with a few extra items added to give the timeline perspective.
This timeline is not all inclusive.
 


 



 

Copyright © 1998-2024 Dawn E. Monroe. All rights reserved 

 ISBN: 0-9736246-0-4

DATES

EVENTS

1980
 
January 1, 1980 - The Chinese Canadian National Council for Equity created to safeguard dignity & equality for all Chinese Canadians

1980 -
Copenhagen, Denmark, hosts the 2nd International Conference on Women’s Issues

1980 - Dr Lois Miriam Wilson (1927-  )  is elected as the 1st woman  moderator of the United Church of Canada

1980 - The Canadian Supreme Court recognizes the equal distribution of assets in failed common-law relationships

February 18, 1980 -
In the federal election only 14 women were elected to fill 282 seats in the House of Commons

1980 -
Fishermen’s wives working get jobless benefits as unemployment insurance is granted to 10,000 women working with their husbands

1980 -
32% of graduate doctors in Canada are women

April 14, 1980 - Jeanne  Sauvé (1922- 1993) is appointed the 1st woman Speaker of the House of Commons April 14, 1980 to January 15, 1984  Source: Parliament of Canada web site

1980 - The New Brunswick Family Services Act abolished the concept of illegitimacy and both parents of a child become responsible to provide for s or her support inasmuch as they are able. Also a single mother could place her child for adoption without the father's consent unless the father acknowledged his paternity or declared himself the child's father in court, then the father must give consent for adoption

April 21, 1980 - Jacqueline Gareau
(1953-   ) is the 1st Canadian woman to win the Boston Marathon


1980 - Evelyn Hart
  (1956-   ) is  the 1st Canadian to be awarded a Gold Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria

1
980 - Clerical workers in the Public Service Alliance of Canada (P S A C) who work for the federal government go on strike for better provisions for time off for the care and nurturing of pre-school-age children, adoption leave and paid maternity leave

June 27,1980 -
O Canada
is officially declared as the national anthem of Canada

June  1980 - Kateri Tekakwitha is beatified (one of the major steps to become a saint within the Catholic Church)

July 4, 1980 - The Canadian Post Office issues a commemorative stamp to celebrate Dame Emma Albani (1847-1930), a celebrated international opera singer

July 22, 1980 - Judy LaMarsh (1924-1980) is presented with the Order of Canada at her hospital bed

1980 - Alexa McDonough (1944-   ) is the 1st woman to lead a recognized political party in Canada when she is leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party

September 9, 1989 - Anna Ruth Lang
of New Brunswick saved two people after a horrendous highway accident
 

Fall 1980 - The Canadian Union of Professional and Technical Employees, representing federal government translators over half of whom were women, went on strike demanding paid maternity leave. The strike was unsuccessful

1980 -
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (C U P W ) include fully paid maternity leave in its demands. In 1981 they become the first national union in Canada to obtain fully paid maternity leave

1980 -
The Government of Canada, through Fitness and Amateur Sport, (Sport Canada) creates a Women's Program
Source: Status of Women Canada.  Adult fact Sheet Women and sports in Canada: an historical overview. (Ottawa, 2002)

1980 -
The Association of Canadian Medical Colleges  reports that 32% of graduate doctors are women Source: Canadian Chronology  (accessed April 28, 2003)

1980 -
The provincial Advisory Council of the Status of Women for Newfoundland and Labrador is established for social, cultural and political equity for women

1980 - Terry James
becomes the 1st Black female police Officer in the Toronto Police Force
Source: Herstory: Milestones in the History of the Toronto Police Service Women Online Accessed June 2011.

1980 - Sandra Post
(1948-   ) who earned over $1000,000 US on Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row

Births 1980:
January 30, 1980 -
Born
Margot Finlay (1980-   ) actor
March 7, 1981 - Born Alena Sharp (1981-   ) champion golfer
May 1980 - Born Johanna Shively Skibsrud (1980-   ) award winning author
June 30 1880 -
Born Idella 'Dell' Gertrude MacGregor (1880-1947) World War 1 Nursing Sister
June 23, 1980 -
Born Gillian Ferrari (1980-  ) member of Canada's gold medal winning hockey teams in 1990's. and 2000's
August 29, 1980 - Born Perdita Felicien (1980- ????) international track & field champion in hurdles
August 29, 1980 -
Born Genevieve Jeanson (1981-   ) champion cyclist
September 24, 1980 - Born Amy Sky (1980-  ) contemporary singer
November 18, 1980 - Born Carol Huynk (1980-  ) Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling

Deaths 1980:
1980 -
Died
Lovedy Josephine Campbell Scott (1894-1980) lawyer
1980-
Died
Lilias Torrance Newton (1896-1980) artist
1980 -
Died
Eileen 'Bunty' Noble-Brennan (1906-1980) champion figure skater
1980-
Died
Edith Louise Patterson (1891-1980) judge in the juvenile court & 1st woman  member of the Law Society of British Columbia
1980 -
Died
Elizabet 'Lizzie' von Rummel (1897-1980) businesswoman, environmentalist & mountaineer
March 15, 1980 -
Born Shelly-Anne Marie Brown (1980-   ) Olympic medalist in bobsledding
March 31, 1980 -
Died Jean Flatt Davey (  -1980) 1st Canadian woman doctor to enter the Canadian Armed forces.
April 19, 1980 -
Born Bardish Chagger (1980-  ) 1st women to be appointed as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
May 1, 1980 -
Died
Lovedy Josephine Campeau - Scott (1894-1980)  first woman lawyer in Essex county, ON
May 17, 1980
- Died Kathleen Shield Perrin-Helliwell (1894-1980) World War l Nursing Sister
May 25, 1980 -
Died
Gertrude Langoria English (18881980) World War 1 Nursing Sister
August 9, 1980 -
Died Mary Eileen Abbott (1896-1980) Manitoba community volunteer
August 18, 1980 -
Died
Elizabeth Stern (1915-1980) pioneer medical researcher credited with early detection of cervical cancer
August 23, 1980 - Died Catherine DeNully Fraser (1879-1980) World War 1 Nursing Sister
September 1980 -
Died Mary Lee Edward (1885-1980) physician who was given Croix de Guerre for service on front lines in WW1

September 28, 1980 - Died
Alice C. Green (1908-1980) missionary nurse in Canadian northwest and community activist P E I
October 1, 1980 - Died Dorothy Gentlewoman (1905-1980) pioneer teaching children with special needs
October 23, 1980 -
Died Robina 'Ruby' Elizabeth Stewart-Burris (1885-1980) World War l Nursing Sister
October 27, 1980 -
Died
Judy Verlyn LaMarsh (1924-1980) Liberal politician & Doyenne of Canada's Centennial celebrations 1967
November 4, 1980 -
Died
Elsie Gregory McGill (1905-1980) Canada's 1st woman graduate in electrical engineering & 1st to design aircraft
November 19, 1980 - Died
Margaret Aitken (1908-1980) politician, journalist & author
November 24, 1980 -
Died Molly Reilly (1922-1980) 1st woman commercial pilot
November 27, 980 -
Died
Ethel Kirk Grayson (1890-1980) novelist
December 9, 1980 - Died Dorise Neilsen (1902-1980) first Communist Member of Parliament
December 21, 1980 -
Died Gertrude Frazee (1884-1980) World War l Nursing Sister
December 22, 1980 -
Died Ethel Davis Wilson (1888-1980) novelist for whom a British Columbia Literary Award is named, Order of Canada
December 26, 1980 - Died Elizabeth Carmichael Monk (1898-1980) lawyer, one of four women 1st to be called to the Quebec Bar
 

1981 1981 - The census now records data for common law unions

February 5, 1981 - Joni Mitchell
is inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

February 13, 1981 - Canadian Air Force Captains Leah Mosher (1955-   ), Nora Bottomley, and Dee Brasseur (1953-   ) graduate as the 1st Canadian female military pilots

1981 - Lieutenant Karen McCrimmon becomes the Canadian Air Force's 1st woman air navigator  Source: National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fact sheet. Online (Accessed March 2014)

February 14, 1981 - Some 1,300 women from across Canada marched into the Parliament buildings and held their own Ad Hoc Women and the Constitution Conference to debate the proposed Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms

1981 - Second-Lieutenant Inge Plug is the 1st woman helicopter pilot in the Canadian Forces Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005.

1981 - Lieutenant Karen McCrimmon
becomes the Canadian Forces first feamle air navigator

1981 -
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (C U P W )  becomes the first national union in Canada to obtain fully paid maternity leave after a six weeks strike

April 1981
- Section 28 is adopted as part of the Charter of Rights & Freedoms, it will be signed into law in 1982 as part of the Charter

1981 -
New Brunswick passes a new Act prohibiting the practice of midwifery in the province, putting and end to a profession that has served families for centuries

1981 - Abby Hoffman
(1947-   )   becomes the 1st woman director of Sport Canada, a part of the federal government Source: Status of Women Canada.  Adult fact Sheet Women and sports in Canada: an historical overview. (Ottawa, 2002)

July 30, 1981 -
The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) rules that for Sandra Lovelace, who had lost her Indian Status after her marriage to a non-status Indian, that her loss of status was tantamount to cultural interference

1981 -
The Ontario Federation of Labour and Action Day Care holds public forums across the province of Ontario resulting in the formation of an ongoing Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care to lobby Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament

1981 -
Jean Paré publishes the 1st cookbook in the series Company's Coming: 150 Delicious squares

1981-
The Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology is founded. This is a non profit association that promotes, encourages and empowers women and girls in science, engineering and technology

1981 -
The Women in Coaching Program is established by the Coaching Association of Canada

1981 - 19% of academic staff at the University of Alberta are women. Only 55 of these women are in the faculty of Science and 2% in Engineering
Source: Herstory: The Canadian Women's calendar. 2008  (Saskatoon Women's Calendar Collective / Coteau Books, 2007)

1981 -
47% of students in university undergraduate programs are women. 37% of women enrolled in university graduate programs are women

1981 - The Canadian Historic Sites and Monuments Board declares Tookoolito and her husband, Ipirvik, National Historic Persons.

October 23, 1981 - Pearl McGonigal (1929-   ) becomes the 1st woman Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

1981 - Pat Messner
(1954-   ) national, international, and Olympic medalist in water skiing is awarded Member in the Order of Canada

1981 - Tracey Wainman (1967-   ) winner of the St Ivel International figure skating competition
is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row

1981 - Susan Nattrass
(1950-  ) shooting champion is voted by the Canadian Press to be awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Top Overall Athlete of the year

Births 1981:
April 9, 1981 -
Born Geneviève  Elveram (1981-2016) cartoonist & musician
August 11, 1881 - Born Alice Boyd (1881-1972) World War l Nursing Sister
November 24, 1981 -
Born Lauren Wollstencroft (1981-   ) one of Canada's top Paralympic athletes

Deaths 1981:
1981 -
Died Chen Sait Chia (1940-1981) Asian-Canadian poet
1981 -
Died
Rhea Clyman (1904-1981) trailblazing journalist
1981 -
Died Ella Emma Dunn (1876-1981) Black entrepreneur
1981 -
Died Rosa L. Shaw (1895-1981) journalist

1981 - Died Marie Uguay (1955-1981) poet
January 4, 1981 - Died
Ruth Lowe-Sandler (1914-1981) pianist and songwriter I'll never smile again.
January 8, 1981 - Died
Myrtle MacKinnon (1889-1981) milner, businesswoman, and matron of a home for unwed girls in Toronto
January 20, 1981 -
Died
Beatrice Lillie (1894-1989) outstanding comedic actor known as the funniest woman in the world
February 9, 1981 -
Died Anna Selick-Raginsky (1891-1981) social activist in the Canadian Zionist movement
February 11, 1881 - Born Emma Henry  Sister St. Victor (1881-1968) social activist
February 26, 1981 -
Died Jane "Jennie" Smillie Robertson (1878-1981) perhaps 1st woman doctor to perform surgery in Canada
March 3, 1981 - Died
Ethel Thedora Paynter-McKay (1884-1981) World War 1 Nursing Sister
March 20, 1981 -
Died Ruby Belle Dickie (1890-1981) World War l Nursing Sister
March 22, 1981 - Died Anne Molson (1823-1899) philanthropist wife of John Molson of Molson Breweries
March 31, 1981 -
Died Ethel Thedora Paynter-McKay (1884-1981) World War 1 Nursing Sister
April 9, 1981-
Born Geneviève Castrée-Elverum (1981-2016) cartoonist, illustrator, and musician
April 19, 1981 -
Died
Irene Baird-Grierson (1900-1981) novelist
May 31, 1981 -
Died
Edwina Chamier (1890-1981) Olympic alpine skier
June 21, 1981 - Died Marion Elizabeth Gilroy (1912-1981) librarian
June 23, 1981
- Died Florence Spalding Hardy McConney (1894-1981) specialist in internal medicine
June 25, 1981 -
Died Marion Belle Harvie (1892-1981) World War 1 Nursing Sister
July 10, 1982 - Died Rona Alexandra Hatt-Wallis (1901-1982) first Canadian woman electrical engineer
August 24, 1981
- Died Victoria Faulkner (1891-1981) social activist
August 25, 1981 -
Died Ida Hattie May Ferguson (1885-1981) World War 1 Nursing Sister, Crois de Guerre
October 17, 1981
- Died Dorothy Louise Walton (1909-1981) one of the top badminton players in Canada
October 28, 1882 - Died Janet Lillian Brydon (1886-1982) medical missionary
November 2, 1981 -
Died Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981),1st individual Canadian woman to appear on Canadian money
November 23, 1981 -
Died Jessie B. Tuite (   -1981) beloved teacher Belleville, Ontario
December 4, 1981 -
Died
Marie-Angèle ‘Jovette’ Alice Bernier (1900-1981) poet and journalist
December 16, 1981 - Died Mary Olivia Wilson (1892-1981) World War 1 Nursing Sister

December 17, 1981
– Died Judith Robinson (1897-1981) acclaimed journalist
 

1982 1982 - The Constitution Act declares Aboriginal and Treaty Rights to be guaranteed equal to men and women

1982 -
There is an outcry from women across the nations when NDP Member of Parliament Margaret Mitchess is laughed at when she brings up the issue of violence against women in the House of Commons

January 11, 1982 -
CBC television debuts The Journal, a show case for full features on daily news happenings with hosts Barbara From (1937-1992) and Mary Lou Finlay (1947-  )

1982 -
Canada enters the worst depression since the 1930's

March 4, 1982 - Bertha Wilson (1923-2007) is the 1st woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. 

Spring 1982 -
The 1st issue of Breaking the Silence is published as a project of the Feminist Caucus of the Carleton School of Social Work, Carleton University, Ottawa. Ontario. The purpose is to raise the level of women's awareness of social welfare issues and to promote and strengthen a feminist perspective among those working in the field of social welfare

April 17, 1982 -
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms covers fundamental rights, equality between men & women, language rights & legal rights

1982 -
Canada is the first country to allow women to enter combat roles as a result of the Charter of Rights & Freedoms

May 12, 1982 - Member of Parliament Margaret Mitchell (1925-   ) brings forth in the House of Commons that 1 in 10 Canadian husbands regularly beat their wives. Her speech was followed by shouting and laughing in the House of Commons. Her reply was “This is no laughing matter” Source:  Canada. House of Commons Debates 1982. ; Nancy J. White, ‘MPs laughed when she spoke on battered women’ The Toronto Star, January 13, 2008. Online (Accessed January 2016)

May 23, 1982 - Mother Marie-Rose née Eulalie Durocher (1811-1849) is beatified ( a step towards becoming a saint) by the Roman Catholic Church)

May 28, 1982 - Karen Mitchell establishes M A D D - Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving. to commemorate the death of her daughter who was killed by a drunk driver. The organization was originally known as P. R. I. D. E. - People to Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere

July 26, 1982 - Karen Diane Baldwin is the 1st Canadian to ever win the Miss Universe beauty contest Source : Miss Universe web pages.

October 27, 1982 - July 1 is officially named Canada Day


October 31, 1982
-
Marguerite Bourgeoys
(1620-1700) is canonized (becomes a saint) in the Roman Catholic Church. She is the first Canadian woman to become a saint. Source: Currents by Christopher Webb. The Beaver Oct./Nov. 2007 pg 12.

1982 -  The Canadian Women's Studies Association is founded. Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network (accessed April 28, 2003.

1982 - The Society for Women in Science and technology holds its first world conference in Vancouver, British Columbia
source: Canadian Chronology  (accessed April 28, 2003)

1982 -
The Canadian Women's National Championship for ice hockey is reintroduced. The Hamilton Golden Hawks defeat the Edmonton Chimos for the title

1982 - Health and Welfare Canada revises Canada's Food Guide with three new emerging principles. 1) variety in food choices and eating patterns. 2) moderation in the use of fat, sugar, salt and alcohol. 3) Balance between energy intake and energy expenditure

1982 - Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology: WISEST is founded by the University of Alberta to attract women to the fields of engineering and technology  Source: Herstory: The Canadian Women's calendar. 2008  (Saskatoon Women's Calendar Collective / Coteau Books, 2007)

1982 - Elizabeth "Betty" MacRae  (1941-   )  becomes Canada's 1st woman neurosurgeon when she set up practice in Calgary, Alberta Source: Herstory: Canadian Woman's Calendar 2007.

1982 - Gwendolyn Ringwood (1910-1984.)  is the 1st Canadian playwright to publish a volume of collected plays

1982 - Iona Campagnolo
  (1932-    .)  is  the 1st woman President of the Liberal Party of Canada

1982 - Rachelle Halpenny
(1950-2012) returns home from the 5th International Cerebral Palsy Games with two gold as silver and a bronze medal Sources: “Life Story” by Joanne Lovett Potter, Ottawa Citizen February 2, 2013. ; “Rachelle Halpenny: A woman first, an athlete second and way at the other end of the scale, disabled” by Lyse Blanchard in Canadian Woman Studies Spring 1983; Personal friendship.   

1982 -
The YWCA in Peterborough, Ontario publishes Fresh Start, a book for women in abusive situations - the book is translated into several languages and tens of thousands of copies are sold. Source: History of the YWCA 
1982 - Gerry Sorensen (1958-   ) winner of the world downhill ski championship is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year

Births 1982:
1982 - Born Larissa Vingilis-Jarenko (1982-   ) scientist
April 9, 1882 - Born Ella Cecilia MacKinnon/McKinnon-Pearson (1882-1959) poet & artist
July 24, 1982 -
Born Anna Paquin, (1982-  ) academy award winning actor
September 3, 1982 - Born Sarah Burke (1982-2012) medal winning pioneer of women's freestyle skiing
October 15, 1982 -
Born Charline Labonté (1982-  ), medal winning hockey player.
November 30, 1982 - Born Elisha Cuthbert (1982-   ), TV and Movie star


Deaths 1982:
1982 -
Died Ida Manning Armstrong (1905-1982) physician and sportswoman.
1982 - Died Jean Cairns (1886-1982) the 5th woman to be called to the bar (Lawyer) in Ontario
1982 -
Died Elizabeth Goudie (1902-1982) a writer she recorded the firs history of family life in the wilds of Labrador.
1982 - Died Jean Hall (1896-1982) architect
1982 -
Died Anna Hicks (1896-1982) Member of the Agricultural Hall of Fame
1982 -
Died
Helen Mary Kendall (1892-1982) Nursing Sister World War 1 & ll
1982
- Died Jean E. Millar Kilborn (1906-1982) medical doctor in China
1982 -
Died Marguerite Michaud (1903-1982) first Acadian woman to graduate from university
1982 -
Died Daphne H. Patterson (1905-1982) early woman aviator
1982 -
Died
Gladys Walker (1895-1982) early aviator
January 5, 1982 -
Died Elizabeth Catherine Bagshaw (1881-1982)
January 6, 1982 - Died Pearl Miella Fournier (1907-1982) social activist for Franco-Canadiennes
January 24, 1982 -
Died
Diana Kingsmill-Weight (1908-1982) Olympic skier
January 30, 1982 -
Died Elinor Francis Elizabeth Black (1905-1982)
1st Canadian woman member of the British Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
February 13, 1982 - Died Miriam Mandel (1930-1982) a poet and author , winner of a Governor General's award in literature.
February 11, 1982 - Died Jean Cowie-Harry (1888-1982) World War 1 Nursing Sister
February 28, 1982 - Born Angela Bailey (1982-2021) track & field sprinter
March 8, 1982 - Died Grace Trotman (1911-1982) Black musician
March 11, 1982 -
Died
Laura Blanche McCain (1891-1982) volunteer and social activist in New Brunswick.
March 30, 1982 - Died
Violet Pauline King Henry (1919-19982) 1st Black woman lawyer in Canada
April 18, 1982 - Died Jean Cairns (1886-1982) 5th woman to be called to the bar (Lawyer) in Ontario
June 10, 1982 -
Died Elizabeth Goudie (1902-1982) a writer who told the story of early family life in Labrador

July 6, 1982 -
Died
Jane Elizabeth Vasey (1949-1982) blues musician.
July 30, 1982 - Died  Margaret Grant Andrew (1912-1982) Social activist for the Arts on Canada's west coast.
August 8, 1992 - Died Myrtle Raivio (1914-1982) Alberta's first woman guide and outfitter
September 10, 1982 -
Died Lucy Qinnuayuak Inuit artist
September 12, 1982 -
Died Sally Kathleen Creighton (1903-1982) writer and journalist
September 25, 1982 - Died Margaret Teresa Lally 'Ma' Murray (1888-1982) newspaper editor, owner & journalist
October 17, 1982 -
Died Mary Jamison-Pepper (1886-1982) World War 1 Nursing Sister
November 2, 1982 -
Died Carol Dunlop (1946-1982) author, photographer, & activist
November 14, 1982 - Died Eunice Marion Wishart (1898-1982) first woman mayor of Port Arthur, Ontario
November 27, 1902 -
Died Frances Shelley Wees (1902-1982) author of mystery and romance novels and educator.
December 7, 1982 - Died Lillian Florence Kier-Roberts (1890-1982) World War l Nursing Sister
December 25, 1982 -
Died Margaret Teresa Lally Murray (1888-1982) newspaper editor, owner and journalist
 
1983 1983 - The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits sexual harassment and it becomes a criminal offence for a man to rape his wife

1983 -
Bill C-127 becomes law making it illegal for a man to sexually assault his wife. The law also includes sexual aggression as an offence for the 1st time.

March 30, 1983 - Bertha Wilson
(1923-   ) is sworn in as Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada.


1983 - Elsie Wayne (1932-2016) becomes the 1st woman to be Mayor of Saint John , New Brunswick. In 1993 she would be elected as a Member of Parliament.

1983 - Anne Barbara Underhill (1920-2003)
wins the Nobel Prize in Physics

December  1983 -
Dr. Roberta Lynn Bondar
(1945-    )  is selected from the 4,000 applicants as one of the original six & the 1st woman Canadian astronaut.

1983 -
Bill C-127 abolished the offences of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault and introduced a three-tiered structure for sexual assault offences. The Bill also eased the circumstances under which police could lay charges in incidents of sexual and non-sexual assault.

1983 -
Abortion rights activist Judy Rebick intervenes saving Dr. Henry Morgentaler when is attacked by a man wielding garden shears

1983 -
Herizon, Canada's Feminist magazine publishes its 1st Magazine edition

1983 - Joy Logan is the 1st woman elected as a Vice-President of the British Columbia Federation of Labour.
 Source: British Columbia Federation of Labour. 

1983 - Joy Kogawa (1935-   ) publishes her novel Obascan (Penguin Books). It is based on her experiences in a Canadian detention camp with her family  in Western Canada during World War II. Source; Japanese Canadian Timeline (accessed June 2012.)

1983 - 
Delia Operokew is called to the bar in Alberta after having been called to the Bar in Ontario in 1979. She is one of the 1st aboriginal lawyers to be called to the Bar in both provinces.
Source: Diversifying the bar; Law Society of Upper Canada online accessed January 2013.:

1983 - Laura Sky (1947-  ) opens SKYWORKS, a charitable foundation that is community bases not-for-profit educational documentary production organization Sources: Herstory, the Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006 Coteau Books, 2005

1983 - Carling Bassett
(1967-   ) winner of one tournament and finalist in two other tournament in her 1st year on the professional tennis tour
is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year f

Births 1983:
June 12, 1983 -
Born Christine Margaret Sinclair (1983-   ) soccer player
November 19, 1983 -
Born Daria Werbowy (1983-   ) international Model with star on Canada's walk of fame.


Deaths 1983:
1983 -
Died
Florence Leong Aseam (1905-1983) Alberta businesswoman
1983 -
Died
Agnes Laskin Jamieson (1909-1983) first woman coroner in Ontario
1983 -
Died Mabel Jones - Charles (????-1983) Indigenous nurse
1983 -
Died
Margaret Frances Taylor-Aikens (1891-1983) World War l Nursing Sister
1983 -
Died Mona Harrigan (- 1983) one of the 1st women to be a Park Guide in Canada
January 5, 1983 - Died Lillian Helena Smith (1887-1983) 1st hired trained children's librarian
January 28, 1983
- Died Alix Cleo Roubaud (1952-1983) Canadian photographer in France
April 6, 1983 -
Died Helena Beatrice Walker (1867-1983) politician in Regina, Saskatchewan

May 1, 1983 - Died Clara May Theurer Bernhardt (1918-1993) poet & author
May 4, 1983 - Died Lenore Talbot Crawford (1909-1983) journalist who maintained a weekly column in the London Free Press
May 23, 1983 - Died Clara Armstrong (1895-1983) poet
May 23, 1983 -
Died Winnifred Blair Drummie  (1903-1983) the 1st Miss Canada, 1923
June 3, 1983 -
Died
Cecilia Clara Ellen Jowitt (1890-1983) home child & registered nurse
June 10, 1983 -
Died Elizabeth Elsie Harvey (1892-1983) social activist
June 12,1983 -
Died Norma Shearer (1900-1983),  movie star & Academy Award best actor
June 14, 1983 -
Died Bernice Anna Petch-Beatty (1894-1983) World War 1 Nursing Sister
June 30, 1983 -
Died Mary Livingstone (born Sadie Marks 1904-1983) radio & TV comedienne, wife of comedian Jack Benny
July 13 , 1983 -
Died Gabrielle Roy,(1909-1983), internationally renowned author & winner of Governor's General Award
July 17, 1983 - Died Evelyn Sybil Mary Eaton (1902-1983) poet
August 5, 1983 - Died Mary Rose Thacker-Temple (1922-1983) Canadian and North American champion figure skater
August 10, 1983 - Died Anne Anna/Annabelle Jane Thompson McFarlane (1924-1983) played with the All American Girls Professional Baseball League
November 4,1983 -
Died Betty Lambert (1933-1983), prolific Canadian playwright
November 24, 1983 - Died Mary Alice Dafoe (1891-1983) community activist
December 2, 1983 -
Died Fifi D'Orsay (1904-1983) vaudeville performer and early movie actress known as the French Bombshell
December 8, 1983 -
Died
Ethel Sylvia Wilson (1902-1983) Alberta politician
December 14, 1984 - Died Hannah Jennings Bradshaw (1891-1984) World War l Nursing Sister
December 16, 1983 - Died Hilda Alice Hellaby (1898-1983) 1st Canadian women to earn a theological degree
December 21, 1983 -
Died Alpha Isabella Hodgins  (???? -1983) award winning law student
 
1984 1984 - The Canadian Constitution is amended to affirm that Aboriginal and treaty rights are guaranteed equally to both men and women

January 13, 1984 - Anne Cools
(1943-   ) became the 1st Black woman to be appointed to the Canadian Senate

February 8-19, 1984 - Olympic Games
Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Canadian women did not show in the medals at these games. Sharon and Shirley Firth, Cross country skiers, become the first Canadian women to compete in four straight Winter Olympic Games when they compete in Sarajevo (1972, 1976, 1980, & 1884)

March 30, 1984 -
The Paktuutit Inuit Women's Association is incorporated to advocate for the needs of Inuit women in social justices issues, health issues, and midwifery practices

May 14, 1984 -
Jeanne
Sauvé (1922-1999.) is sworn in as 23rd Governor General of Canada. She is the 1st woman to hold this position

June 1, 1984 - Betty Hughes
is appointed Chair of the Canadian National Railways becoming the 1st Canadian woman to head a crown corporation

1984 -
Transport Canada changes regulations to allow a pilot who is pregnant to fly "while under her doctor's supervision" Source: Rosella Bjornson, Canadian Hall of Fame inductee. Canadian Ninety-nines online (accessed July 18, 2005)

1984 - Federal unemployment Insurance Benefits included 17 weeks maternity leave for woman at 93% pay plus 10 weeks parenting leave Unemployment Insurance Benefits

July 28-August 12, 1984 - Olympic Games Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
In response to the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, 14 Eastern Bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, Cuba and East Germany, boycotted the Games; only Romania elected to attend. For differing reasons, Iran and Libya also boycotted.
Women are allowed to compete in the Marathon. Previously it had been considered to strenuous.
Canada. Gold Medals: Sylvie Bernier
  (1964-   ) in women's 3 meter springboard diving; Lori Fung (1963-   ) in women's individual all-round rhythmic gymnastics; Linda Thom, (1943-   ) in women's 25 meter pistol shooting; Anne Ottenbrite (1966-   ) in women's 200 meter breaststroke swimming.  Silver Medals; Angela Bailey (1962-   ) , Marita Payne (1960-   ), Angela Taylor-Issajenko (1958-   ) and France Gareau (1967-   ) in women's 4X100 meter running relay; Charmaine Crooks (1962-   ), Jillian Richardson (1965-   ), Molly Killingbeck (1959-   ) and Marita Payne (1960-   )  in the women's 4X400 meter running relay; Alexandra Barre (1958-   )  and Susan Holloway (1955-   ) in women's k-2 500 meter canoeing; Marilyn Brain (1959-   ), Angela Schneider (1959-  ), Barbara Armbrust (1963-   ), Jane Tregunno (1962-   )  and Lesley Thompson (1959-   ), in women's four with coxswain rowing; Elizabeth Craig (1957-   )  and Tricia Smith (1957-   ) in women's pairs rowing; Anne
Ottenbrite (1966-   ) in women's 100 meter breastbone swimming; Sharon Hambrook (1963-   ) and Kelly Kryczka (1961-   )  in women's synchronized swimming; Carolyn Waldo (1964-   ) in women's solo synchronized swimming; Bronze Medals; Lynn Williams  (1960-   ) in women's 3000 meter run; Alexandra Barre (1958-   ), Lucie Guay (1958-   ), Susan Holloway (1955-    ) and Barbara Olmsted  (1959-   ) in women's K-4 500 meter kayak; Silken Laumann (1964-   )  and Daniele Laumann (1961-   )  in woman's double sculls rowing; Reema Abdo  (1963-   ), Anne Ottenbrite, (1966-   )  Michelle MacPherson (1966-   )and Pamela Rai (1966-   ) in women's X 100 meter swimming medley relay; Source: Canadian Olympic Committee.

August 15, 1984 -
The 1st televised federal debate on women's issues is held in Toronto. It is organized by the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and it features leaders from the three major political parties

1984 - Sylvie Bernier
(1964-   ) Gold Medal Olympic diver
is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year

1984 -
The Canadian government, through the Secretary of State,  establishes five regional chairs across the country in women's studies with and endowment fund at Mt. St Vincent University, Laval University, Ottawa Carleton Universities . University of Manitoba and Simon Fraser University Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network (accessed April 28, 2003. )

1984 - Betty Hughes is appointed Chair of the Canadian National Railways, the 1st Canadian woman to head a crown Corporation Source: Heroines.ca Women in Canadian history. (Accessed June 9, 2007)

August  1984 -  Lisa Buscombe becomes Canada's 1st Archery World Field Champion in Finland Source: Federation of Canadian Archers.

1984 - Dormer Ellis (1925 -   ) is the 1st woman to receive the Ontario Professional Engineers Citizenship Award
Source The Toronto Business and Processional Women’s Club. Online Accessed February 2013.

September 11, 1984 - Mother Marie-Léonie (1840-1912) is the 1st to be beatified (a step towards becoming a saint) on Canadian soil during the Papal visit to Canada

1984 -
Cayenne is 1st published as a socialist feminist bulleting produced by a group who were formerly part of the International Women's Day Committee. It ceased publication in 1989

1984 - 33% of medical school students and 50% of law school students in Canada are women

1984 -
Mothers are Women / Meres et Femmes; Revue Homebase Magazine (M A W) is founded in Ottawa. Its name statment is a rallying cry for women doing unpaid work of mothering and caring for family Source: Herstory 2004

1984 - Daurene E. Lewis
is elected mayor of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. She is
the 1st female black mayor in North America

1984 - Marianne Florence Scott
(1928-   ) is the 1st woman to be appointed as National Librarian, at the level of a deputy minister in the federal government

1984 - Ursula Martius Franklin
( 1921-   ) becomes the 1st woman to be named a university professor at the University of Toronto

1984 - Pat Messner
(1954-  ) national, international and Olympic medalist in water skiing is inducted into the Greater Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame

November 1984 -
Eaton's Department Store employees (predominantly women) members of the Wholesale and Department Store Union begin a strike that lasts through the winter

1984 -
Sister Vision Educational Press is founded. It is the 1st press for Black women and women of colour in Canada

December 21, 1984 - Brenda Mary Robertson
(1929-2020) was appointed to the Senate of Canada

Births 1984:
January 15, 1884 - Born Eleanor Rivington-Downs (1884-1970) World War l Nursing Sister
February 10, 1984 -
Born Stephanie Dixon (1984-   ) highly decorated Paralympic athlete
September 27, 1984 -
Born Avril Lavigne (1984-   ) contemporary singer and son writer who rose quickly as an entertainer and star.

Deaths 1984:
1984 -
Died Bertha Ogilvie Archibald (1889-1984) first woman pharmacist in Nova Scotia
1984 -
Died
Eva Catherine Ault-Buels (1891-1984) pioneer ladies ice hockey player know as 'Queen of the Ice'.
1984 -
Died Jane Gray (1896-1984) early radio broadcaster
1984 -
Died Madge Edgar (1898-1984) administrative assistant
January 22, 1984 -
Died Ella 'Dora 'Sheri' Sherritt-Burley (1889-1984) World War 1 Nursing Sister
March 28, 1984 -
Died
Arrabelle MacKenzie-McCallum (1895-1984) first paediatric dentist in Canada
April 1, 1984 - Died Alma Clavering Howard-Rolleston-Ebert (1913-1984) radiobiologist
April 14, 1984 -
Died
Jane Mallett (1899-1984) stage, radio and film actor
April 20, 1984 -
Died Sheila Every Branford, (1918- 1984)  author of one of the best animal tale, Incredible Journey
April 27, 1984 -
Died Lorraine McAllister (1922-1984) singer & actor on the west coast
May 7, 1984 - Died Helen Kalvak (1901-1984) Inuit artist who helped found the Holman Eskimo Co-operative. Order of Canada
May 24, 1984 -
Died
Gwendolyn Ringwood (1910-1984) Governor General Award winner or outstanding service to Canadian Drama
May 26, 1984 - Died
Mae Garnett (1875?- 1984) one of the 1st women general news reporters in western Canada
June 28, 1984 - Died Mary Graham-Archibald (1887-1984) World War 1 Nursing Sister
July 16, 1984 - Died Sadie A. Knowles (1889-1984) acclaimed children's librarian in Ontario
July 16, 1984 -
Died Camille Bernard (1898-1984) opera singer
July 24, 1984 -
Died
Zenora 'Nora' Rose Hendrix (1883-1984) Black pioneer of Vancouver and grandmother to Jimi Hendrix
October 8, 1984 -
Died Francoise Aubut (  - 1984) renowned organist & educator
December 8, 1984 - Died Jeanne Chevalier (1892-1984) Champion figure skater in pairs & singles
1985 1985 - The United Nations holds an international conference on women's issues in Nairobi. It is 10 years since the UN declared the International year of the woman

January 22, 1985 - Wilma Helen Hunley (1920-2012) becomes the 1st woman Lieutenant Governor of the province of Alberta.


1985 –
Nairobi Hosts the 3rd  International Conference on Women’s Issues

1985 - The Canadian Indian Act is changed to restore Indian status to many women and their children as well as to enfranchised native veterans. This bill ends more than 100 years of legislative discrimination against aboriginal women not having native status. The United nations Human Rights Commission high lighted this injustice with a ruling for a complaint brought before the UNHRC in 1977 by Sandra Lovelace

1985 - The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms legally gives women equal rights

June 17, 1885 -
Bill C-31 in the House of Commons in Ottawa eliminates sexual discrimination form the Indian Act for First Nations Women so that Aboriginal women's rights of status would be upheld when she marries a non-status Indian

1985 -
The Canadian Divorce Act eliminates discrimination on the basis of sex with respect to the right to divorce or the custody of children

1985 -
The Canada Pension Act is amended to continue disability pensions at the married rate for one year after the death of a veteran

1985 -
The Association for Women's Equity in the Canadian Armed Forces is founded  

1985 - The Canadian First Minister's Conference on the Economy endorses 'A framework for Economic Equality for Canadian Women' Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1985 - Shirley Theresa Dysart (1926-2016) becomes the 1st woman to serve as interim leader of the Opposition in the New Brunswick legislature

April 17, 1985 - Canada Post issues a commemorative stamp honouring the life of Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981), a leader in rights for Canadian women and respected politician

August  1985 - Lisa Buscombe retains her title as World Champion in the sport of Field Archery Source: Federation of Canadian Archers.

1985 - Bonnie Cappuccino (1934-   ) is director and founder of Child Haven International, a not-for-profit organization that helps destitute women and children around the world

1985 - Lynn Johnston (1947-   )  is the 1st woman to win the Reuben Award for outstanding cartoonist of the year from the national Cartoonist Society and in 1988 she became the first woman to be president of this society

September 6, 1985 -
The Canadian Encyclopedia, a three volume set of books from Hurtig publishers, is released in Edmonton, Alberta

1985 - Sue Johanson (1930-2023)
begins Sunday Night Sex with Sue on community TV

1985 -
Anne of Green Gables, the television mini series, wins many awards including 10 Gemini Awards, & Emmy Award, & a Peabody Award

1985 -
The Sister Vision: Black Women and Women of Colour Press is formed to publish books by and for women of colour

1985
- Seventeen women from across Canada came together to discuss issues of women with disabilities and form D A W N, Disabled Women's Network of Canada

1985 - Carling Bassett
(1967-   ) ranked 17th in the world Women's Tennis is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year for the second
time

Births 1985:
July 18, 1885 -
Born Violet Irene Guymer (1885-1955) first Canadian women funeral director
August 6, 1885 -
Born Anne Canning (1885-????) World War 1 Nursing Sister

September 4, 1985 -
Born Kaillie Humphries (1985-   ) international & Olympic champion in bobsleigh

October 29, 1885 - Born Mary Hale Hambly-Young (1885-1929) World War 1 Nursing Sister

Deaths 1985:

1985 -
Died
Lillian Beatrice Allen (1904-1985) artist & teacher
1985 -
Died Elsie Catherine Barclay (1902-1985) co-founder of Hostelling in North America
1885 - Died
Marie-Alice Dumont (1892-1985) professional photographer in Eastern Quebec
1985 -
Died
Esther Marjorie Hill, (1895-1985) 1st Canadian woman to become a graduate architect
1985 -
Died
Helen May McKercher (1911-1985) agricultural education activist
January 26, 1985 - Died Susannah Isabelle Steckle (1898-1985) horticulturist
February 2, 1985 -
Died
Micheline Saint-Marcoux (1938-1985) composer & teacher
February 16, 1985 - Died Marion Ruth Engel (1933-1985) acclaimed author
March 18, 1985 - Died Myrtle Alice Cook (1902-1985) acclaimed athlete and Olympic team member 1928

April 9, 1985 -
Died
Mary Elizabeth 'Mary Beth' Brugger Dolin (1936-1985) politician
April 27, 1985 -
Died Marcelle Ferron. (1924-1985) member of a group of artists known as Les Automatistes
April 28, 1985 - Died
Ada Annie Rae-Arthur (1888-1985) pioneer botanist know as 'Cougar Annie '
June 8, 1985 - Died
Blanche Macdonald (1931-1985) educator & Aboriginal rights activist on the west coast
June 12, 1985 - Died
Elizabeth Pauline MacCallum (1895-1985) diplomat
June 15, 1985 - Died Anne Terry (????-1985) broadcaster know as 'First Lady of Cape Breton'
August 10, 1986 -
Died
Paraskeva Clark (1898-1986) artist
September 6, 1985 -
Died Jessie Isabel Meighen (1883-1985) wife of Prime minister Arthur Meighen (1874-1960)
October 5, 1885 - Died
Jessie Louise Beattie (1896-1895) poet & novelist, member of the City of Cambridge (Ontario) Hall of Fame 
October 28, 1985 - Died Jean Isobel 'Jennie' Drummond-Field (1892-1985) World War l Nursing Sister
November 3, 1985 -
Died Anna Gertrude Lawson Cheney (1897 - 1985) portrait painter & 1st medical artist in British Columbia

December 6, 1985 - Died Ida May Snelgrove-Elliot l Elliott (1895-1985) nurse
December 14, 1985 -
Died Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896 1985) founder of Madonna House, Cumbermere, Ontario
December 26, 1985 -
Died
Cornelia Lucinda Wood (1892-1985) Alberta provincial politician

1986 April 14, 1986 - Canada Post issues a commemorative stamp honouring the life of Molly Brant (1736-1796), a renowned aboriginal leader in Canadian history

May 1986 - Karen Kidd (Robo the Clown)
founds the 1st formal therapeutic clown program in the Child Life Department of the Winnipeg General Hospital

May 2, 1986  - October 13, 1986 -
Vancouver, British Columbia hosts a world exposition called Expo 86

May 12, 1986 - Police Constable Kathryn Farrell is the 1st female assigned to the Toronto Police Force Mounted unit
Source: Herstory: Milestones in the History of the Toronto Police Service Women Online Accessed June 2011.

1986 - The National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada is founded

1986 -
Women on Wheels is established in the Yukon Territory. It travels to Yukon communities to provide workshops on women's issues like childcare & wage equity Source: Indicators of Yukon Gender equality, Timeline Online (accessed 2022)

1986 -
The Yukon Territory Women's Directorate produces How to Get a Job, an employment handbook for women. Source: Indicators of Yukon Gender equality, Timeline Online (accessed 2022)

1986 -
Susan Ursel (1958 -   ) is called to the Bar in Ontario. She is the 1st openly Lesbian lawyer in Ontario


1986 - Shirley Carr is the 1st woman to be president of the Canadian Labour Congress

1986 - 3% of judges in Canada are women  Source: Canadian Chronology  (accessed April 28, 2003)

1986 - Sharon Adele Wood (1957-    ) is the 1st woman from the Western hemisphere to stand on top of the world on Mt. Everest

1986 - Roberta Jamieson (1953-  ) is the 1st Aboriginal and the first woman to be appointed as provincial Ombudsman for Ontario

1986 -
Sports Canada issues a Policy on Women in Sport, calling for equal opportunities for women and men to compete, coach, officiate and administer sport at all levels
Source: Status of Women Canada.  Adult fact Sheet Women and sports in Canada: an historical overview. (Ottawa, 2002)

1986 - Laurie Graham
(1960-   ) a top notch downhill skier is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year  

1986 -
Tiger Lily: A Journal by Women of Colour is published for the 1st time. It is a chance for refugee and immigrant women to have literary space to share experiences. It runs in publication through the early 1990's

1986 - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) releases its policy on sex-role stereotyping in Canadian broadcasting
Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1986 -
Federal Employment Equity legislation, which covers federally regulated industries, ensures equitable participation of women in a paid workforce
Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1986 -
The Public Service of Canada launches special initiatives to increase training, apprenticeship and hiring of women in 'non-traditional' occupations in the federal Public Service
Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

Births 1986:

January 13, 1986 -
Born Jeannie Rochette (1986-   ) champion & Olympic medal winning figure skater
January 15, 1886 - Born Edith Frances Macey (1886-1951) World War l Nursing Sister



Deaths 1986:
1986 -
Died
Pearl Anderson-Boal (1923-1986) served in RCAF WW ll & nurse
1986 -
Died
Helen Kemp Frye (1910-1986) academic
1989 -
Died
Stella Avura Panarites (1924-1986) 1st woman lawyer of Greek heritage in Ontario
January 15, 1886 -
Born Edith Frances Macey (1886-1951) World War 1 Nursing Sister
February 9, 1986 -
Died
Dora Oake Russell (1912-1986) teacher, journalist & community worker with Girl Guides
February 5, 1986 -
Died
Florence Fernet-Martel (1892-1986) social activist, educator & Quebec feminist
February 9, 1986 - Died Dora Oake Russell (1912-1986) teacher, journalist & community worker with Girl Guides
February 13, 1986 -
Died Millie Gamble (1887-1986) amateur photographer
March 6, 1986 -
Died
Beatrice Davidson (1909-1986) architect
April 29, 1986
- Died Victoria ‘Vickie’ Pano/Panos (1920-1986) played with the All American Girls Professional Baseball League
June 8, 1986 -
Died Lizette Gervais (1932-1986) journalist and communications administrator
June 17, 1986 -
Died
Gertrude 'Anahareo' Moltke Bernard (1906-1986) writer, animal rights advocate, & conservationist
August 1986 -
Died Myrtle Philip (1891-1986) businesswoman & pioneer ski lodge owner
August 3, 1986 -
Died
Margaret Ann Whitfield-Lough (1893-1986) World War l Nursing Sister
September 4, 1986 -
Died
Francoise Gaudet-Smet (1902-1986) journalist
September 6, 1986 -
Died
Jeanne Fisher Marnery ( 1908-1986) 1st woman appointed professor in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto
September 15, 1986 -
Died
Judith Crawley (1914-1986) film producer, director & scriptwriter
September 21, 1986 - Died Helen Bell Milborn (1892-1986) physician & pioneer in study of breast cancer
October 2, 1986 - Died Louise Elizabeth Buckley-Jones (1891-1986) public health nurse
October 25, 1986 -
Died
Phyllis Ruth Blakeley (1922-1986) historian & archivist
October 26, 1986 - Died Mary Elizabeth Scott-Williams (1882-1986) World War 1 Nursing Sister
November 1, 1986 -
Died
Judy Jarvis (1946-1986) dancer, choreographer, & teacher
November 14, 1986 -
Died Alice Theodora 'Dora' Oliver (1888-1986) World War 1 Nursing Sister
November 23, 1986 -
Died Marjorie Elliott Wilkins Campbell (1901-1986) author of historical fiction & biographer

December 13, 1986 -
Died
Mildred 'Millie' Gamble (1887-1986) Early photographer in Prince Edward Island
December 30, 1986 -
Died Cassie Eileen Brown (1919-1986) journalist & author
 
1987 1987 - The Supreme Court of Canada states that sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of sexual discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. (Robichaud v Canada 1987 2 S. C. R. 84) and employers who tolerate sexual harassment would be held responsible

1987 - Sheila Copps
  (1952-  ) becomes the 1st member of the Canadian Parliament to have a baby while holding office

1987 -
In the case of Bonnie Robichaud (Public Service Association of Canada) vs the Canadian Government, the Supreme Court of Canada finds that "employers are responsible for maintaining a harassment free work environment'

April 21-26, 1987 -
 The 1st World Invitational Tournament in women’s hockey is held in Mississauga, Ontario. The Championship is not recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (I I H F). The trophy is named in honour of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion (1921-2023)

1987 - The Raging Grannies is 1st organized in Victoria British Columbia. They were looking for a different way to protest and set off a spark for a future international organization that allows older women to serve with a purpose

1987 - Dr. Geraldine Kenney-Wallace (1943-   ) is the 1st woman appointed Chair of the Science Council of Canada


1987 - The Elektra Woman's Choir is founded by Diane Mary Loomer (1940-2012). It becomes recognized internationally. Source: “Choral conductor had a gift for getting the best from her singers” by Suzanne A Hearne, The Globe and Mail January 9, 2013.

1987 - In the Canadian Air Force, combat roles, including flying fighter aircraft like the CF-18, and tactical helicopters, become open to women for the 1st time Source Canada Women's Foundation. History of the women's movement: selected moments of importance in the history of Canadian women , 2004

1987 - Colonel Sheila A. Hellstrom, a graduate of National Defense College, becomes the 1st woman serving as a Regular Force officer to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.  Source: National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fact sheet. Online (Accessed March 2014)

1987 -
The federal government's Canadian Jobs Strategy is amended to enable immigrant women to access language training in order to compete in the labour market Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1987
- Herizon, Canada's Feminist Magazine goes into a publishing hiatus only resurfacing in 1992

1987 - The British Columbia Coalition for Abortion Clinics ( Now the Pro-choice Action Network) is founded to establish abortion clinics in British Columbia Source : A History of Abortion in Canada  (accessed July 30, 2003)
 

1987 - The Yukon Advisory Council on Womens Issues (Y A C W I) is established to serve as a forum for rural and urban, Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to advise the government on issues of importance and concern to women Source: Indicators of Yukon Gender equality, Timeline Online (accessed 2022)

1987 -
Wendy Murphy invents the world's 1st evacuation stretcher for infants, the WEEVACS6 after having see the destructive earthquake rescues in Mexico in 1985

1987 - Carolyn Waldo (1964-   ) winner of two Gold Medals at the World Aquatic Championships
is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year

Births 1987:
September 7, 1987 -
Born Aleksandra Woznisak (1987-   ) top ranking tennis player


Deaths 1987:
1987 -
Died Aileen Alethea Meagher (1910-1987) medal winning track athlete
1987 -
Died Mary Louise Northway (1909-1987) psychologist, businesswoman & philanthropist
1987 -
Died Lillian Alice Chase (    -1987) medical doctor
1987 -
Died
Gladys "Gladdy" Balsillie (1919-1987) businesswoman who was a burlesque agent
1987 - Died Christine Hamilton (1921-1987) social activist in Hamilton, Ontario
1987 - Died
Alice R. McGlashan (1902-1987) businesswoman in Outaouais, Quebec
1987
- Died
Marian Lucille Skillen-Stoneham (1890-1987) World War l Nursing Sister
1987 - Died
Barbara Spohr (1955-1987) photographer
January 1, 1989 -
Died
Flora Velma Abbott (1929-1987) played with the All American Girls Professional Baseball League
January 5, 1987 -
Died Margaret Lawrence, (1926-1987) award winning author
February 2, 1987 - Died
Olive Bend Little (1917-1987) member of the American Girls  Professional Baseball League
February 7, 1987 - Died
Georgette Vachon (1900-1987) author
February 9, 1987 - Died
Haru Moriyama (1892-1987) Japanese picture bride
February 18, 1987
- Died
Lida Bell Pearson Sturdy (1895-1987) in 1921 is the 1st woman lawyer in Preston Ontario with her own practice
March 5, 1987 - Died
Isabella Sinclair-Trotter (1889-1987) World War l Nursing Sister
April 1987 -
Died Jean Whittier (????-1987) doctor and medical missionary
April 5, 1987 - Died Margaret Grace McBean-Hayward (1895-1987) World War l Nursing Sister
April 9, 1987 -
Died Pearl Ester Isabella Elphnstone - Ellis (1952 -1987) WREN
April 16, 1987 -
Died Cecile Lalande - Dagenais (1923-1987) nurse & nursing administrator
May 10, 1987 -
Died Violet Keene (1883-1987) acclaimed portrait photographer
May 31, 1987 - Died
Gladys A. Bunn (1892-1987) piano teacher & artist
June 1, 1987 - Died Edith Beatrice 'Bea' Catharine Lennie (1905-1987) acclaimed sculptor
July 1987 -
Died
Evelyn Grace Galloway-Richards (1893-1987) World War l Nursing Sister
July 31, 1987 - Died Molly Priscood Dingle (1892-1983) educator
August 1 , 1987-
Died Evelyn Merle Nelson (1943-1987) renowned mathematician

August 26, 1987 -
Died Anna Marion Dougall (1904-1987) physician
August 28, 1887 -
Died
Lillian Alice Chace (1894-1987) indomitable early woman doctor
August 30, 1988 -
Died Joan Miller (1910-1988) actor
September 12, 1887 -
Died
Jessie Agnes Anne Clark (1885-1987) World War 1 Nursing Sister
September 26, 1987 -
Died Ethel Catherwood, (1908-1987) member of the first Canadian women's Olympic team
October 8, 1887 -
Died Isabella Flora Frid (1889-1987) World War l Nurse with the American Red Cross
October 13, 1987 -
Died
 Margaret Allan Thatcher (1892/-1987) public health nurse
November 6, 1987 -
Died
Simone Routier (1901-1987) poet
November 9, 1987 - Died Martha Elizabeth 'Beth' Douglas (1913-1987) educator
November 14, 1986 -
Died Alice Theodora 'Dora' Oliver (1888-1986) World War l Nursing Sister
November 23, 1987 -
Died Elizabeth Muriel McGregor-Baker (1887-1987) World War 1 Nursing Sister
November 24, 1987 -
Died
Jehane Benoit (1904-1987) renowned chef & author, officer in the Order of Canada
November 29, 1987 - Died Gwendolyn MacEwen (1941-1987) renowned poet

1988 1988 - United Nations Peacekeepers (including Canadians) win the Nobel Peace Prize

January 28, 1988 - The Supreme Court of Canada declares  Canadian abortion law as unconstitutional. The law is found to violate section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it infringes upon a woman's right to life, liberty and security of the person.
  Source : A History of Abortion in Canada (accessed July 30, 2003)

1988 - Carol Anne Letheren (1942-2001) becomes the 1st woman appointed Chef de Mission for the Olympic Games.

February 15 - 28, 1988 - Olympic Games, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Silver Medals;  Elizabeth Manley (1965-   )  in women's singles figure skating. Bronze Medals: Karen Percy (1966-   ) in women's downhill alpine skiing and women's super-G alpine skiing; Tracy Wilson (1961-   ) and Robert McCall ice dancing, the 1st Canadian Olympic medal in Ice dance..

August 30, 1988 -
Long distance swimmer Vicki Keith becomes the first person to swim across all five great lakes

September 17 - October 2, 1988
- Olympic Games Seoul, Korea. Carol Anne Letheren
(1942-2001) serves as Team Canada's first woman Chef de Mission.
Gold medals; Carolyn Waldo
(1964-  )  in synchronized swimming and a second  in the duet synchronized swimming with Michelle Cameron (1962-   ). Waldo is the 1st Canadian woman to win two gold medals at a Summer Olympics.

Bronze Medals; Gina Smith (1957-   ), Cynthia Ishoy (1952-   ), Ashley Nicoll (1963-   ) and Eva-Maria Pracht  (1937-   )
in equestrian dressage team; Andrea Nugent (1968-   ), Allison Higson (1973-   ), Jane Kerr (1968-   ) and Lori Melien (1972-   ) in women's 4X100 meters swimming medley relay. Source: Canadian Olympic Committee

November 21, 1988 - Ethel Dorothy Blondwin-Andrews (1951-   ) becomes the 1st Aboriginal woman elected to the House of Commons in Ottawa

1988 - Canadian women college graduates earn an average salary of under $20,000. Canadian men with an education of Grade 8 or less received an average annual income of $22,387.

1988 - Carolyn Waldo
(1964-   ) winner of two Olympic Gold Medals is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row & winner of the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Top Overall Athlete of the Year

1988 - The Canada Scholarship Program is established to encourage undergraduate studies in natural sciences and engineering. Part of the requirements of the program is that half of the recipients must be women.
Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1988 - The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation develops the  Project Haven Program, creating emergency shelters for abused women and children.
Source: Progress towards equality of women in Canada . Canada. Status of Women Canada. 1995.

1988 - The Yukon Indian Women's Association develops the Dene Nets'et'edan project to empower rural First Nations women to pursue persona & community economic development
Source: Indicators of Yukon Gender equality, Timeline Online (accessed 2022)

1988 -
Diva: A Quarterly Journal of Women of South Asian Origin
begins publication by a small group of South Asian feminist women in Toronto, Ontario. It ceases publication in 1996


1988 - Vicki Keith Munro.
(1961-  .)  A superb marathon swimmer, becomes the 1st  person to swim cross all five North American Great Lakes. She swims the Great Lakes to earn money for charity

1988 - Ethel Blondwin  (1951-   )  is the 1st Native woman to sit in the Canadian House of Commons.

1988 -
The first female gunners in Regular Forces graduate from qualification training

1988 - Coltilda Yakimchuk becomes the 1st Black person elected president of the Registered Nurses Association of Nova Scotia

1988 Colonel Sheila A. Hellstrom
is the firs woman graduate of the National Defence College. She becomes the firs Regual Force woman to be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general

1988 - Private Shannon Wills
is the 1st woman to win the Queen's Medal for Champions Shot of the Canadian Reserve Forces at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa, Ontario Source "Women throughout Canadian military history." in Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter Issue 2/05 23 February 2005.

1988 - Debbie Palmer (1955-    ) escapes with her 8 children from the polygamous community of Bountiful, British Columbia bringing the spotlight on polygamous Mormon marriages in Canada

1988 - Bonnie
and Fred Cappuccino (1935-   ) becomes the 1st Canadians presented with the UNESCO Prize for Teaching of Human Rights


1988 - Dr Allie Vibert Douglas (1894-1988) has a planet named Vibert Douglas in her honour. Source: Historical figures in Astronomy by Carmen Rush, Royal Astronomy Society of Canada  (accessed July 28, 2005)

1988 - Joyce Trimmer (1927-2008) is elected the 1st woman Mayor of Scarborough, Ontario ( now part of Toronto Greater Area)


1988 - Lawyer Laura Legg (1923-2010) is elected the 1st woman treasurer of the Ontario Law Society. The Laura Legg Award is established to honour other women who exemplify leadership in the profession.
Source: Diversifying the bar; Law Society of Upper Canada online accessed January 2013.:

1988 -
For the 1st time at the University of British Columbia women law students outnumber men

Births 1988:
October 10, 1988 - Born Karen Percy (1988-   ) Olympic medalist in skiing.


Deaths 1988:
1988 -
Died Helen Grossman (1905?-1988), one of the early Jewish women lawyers in Canada
1988 -
Died Pearl Steen (1893-1988), social activist, President of National Council of Women 1964-1967
1988 -
Died Agnes Harrigan (   1988), one of the first women park guides in Canada.
January 2, 1988 -
Died
Vega Dawson (1894- 1988), Order of the British Empire for war services.
January 4, 1988 -
Born Karine Blais (1888-2009) Canadian Army, Killed in line of duty
January 15, 1988 -
Died Audrey Burger (1912-1988), Social activist for public housing
January 20, 1988 -
Born Ethel Davis Wilson (1888-1980), novelist for who the British Columbia Literary Award is named, Order of Canada.
January 28, 1988 - Died Sheila M. MacQuarrie (1951-1988) champion rifle sharp shooter
February 18, 1988 -
Died Dorothy Bruce Garbutt (1897-1988), journalist & historian, host of the CBC program "Houses I have known."
March 2, 1988 - Died Sister Ethelberta (1900-1988), brought her religious order to Canada and was hospital administrator
April 5, 1988 -
Died Marjorie Brook (1898-1988), hospital administrator
April 11, 1988 - Died Mary Imrie (1918-1988) architect
April 18, 1988 -
Died Phyllis Marie Gregory Ross (1903-1988) economist
April 19, 1988 -
Died Ethel Mary Bennett (1891-1988), award winning writer of historical novels
April 26, 1988 - Died Dorothy Danzker (    -1988), Winnipeg community worker
May 3, 1988 - Died Sheila Cantor (1939-1988), internationally renowned researcher in the field of schizophrenia.
May 17, 1988 - Died
Nora Ellen Dunwoody (1899-1988), she was known for establishing gift shops as fund raisers for hospital auxiliaries
June 6, 1988 - Died Margaret Craig Eaton Dunn (1913-1988), Director General Canadian Women's Army Corp 1944
July 2, 1988 - Died
Allie Vibert Douglas (1894-1988), 1st woman in Canada to graduate with a PhD in astrophysics
July 4, 1988- Died Constance Eleda Brewster (1888-1988), a well respected nursing administrator in Hamilton, Ontario
July 4, 1988 - Died Gwendda Dorothy Owen Davies (1896-1988), concert pianist and teacher of music
July 22, 1988 - Died
Ann Conner Brimer (1940-1988), educator and promoter of books for children
July 24, 1988 - Died Celeste Victoire Liersch (1911-1988) poet
July 31, 1988 -
Died Margaret Eileen Stuart Underhill (1889-1988), badminton player and member of the British Columbia Sport Hall of Fame
August 1988 - Died Alix Goolden (1897-1988), social activist and philanthropist
August 10, 1988 -
Died Agnes Fontaine (1912-1988), a mother of 15 who received the QE Coronation Medal for community Services 

August 22, 1988 - Died Frances Adaskin (1903-1988), award winning singer who championed the works of Canadian composers
September 1988 - Died
Mary Littlejohn (1903-1988) Olympic figure skater
October 28, 1988 -
Died
Ethel Viola Bieber (1920-1988), national and provincial swimming champion of the 1930's
November 1988- Died Laura Banks (1914-1988), TV broadcaster who used the name of Laura Lindsay
November 1, 1988 - Died Eileen Flanagan (????- 1988) nurse
November 10, 1988 -
Died Margaret Bennie (1897-1988) award winning educator
November 10, 1988 - Died Margaret Bennie (1897-1988), award winning educator
November 19, 1988 - Died Helen Birdsall (1906-1988), dance instructor and choreographer to the C N E in the 1920's and 1930's
December 14, 1988 - Died Hilwie Jomba Hamda (1905-1988) helped establish the first Mosque in Canada
December 19, 1988 -
Died Lotta Dempsey (1905-1988), journalist known for her column in the Toronto Starr and her large hats
December 31, 1988 - Died Eleanor Reed Townsend (1944-1988), champion Fiddler

1989 1989 - The Supreme Court of Canada declares that 'sexual harassment' in the workplace may be broadly defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that detrimentally affects the work environment or leads to adverse job related consequences for the victims of the harassment.' (Janzen v Platy Enterprises Ltd. )

January 19, 1989 - Heather Erxleben
(1966-   ) becomes
the 1st Canadian woman to be a combat soldier.  She graduates from Canadian Forces Base, Wainwright, Alberta  Source: National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fact sheet. Online (Accessed March 2014)

June 20, 1989 - Jane Foster and Deanna Brasseur  (1953-   ) pass courses to become Canada's 1st two female fighter pilots certified to fly fighter aircraft and available for combat roles...possible they are the 1st women in the world Source: The Kids Book of Canadian Firsts by Valerie Wyatt (Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2001) pg. 17  Source: National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fact sheet. Online (accessed March 2014)

1989 - Private Heather Erleben i
s the first female Regular Force infantry soldier in Canada

1989 - Lorraine Francis Orthlieb
is the 1st woman to hold the rank of Commodore in the Canadian Forces Source: National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fact sheet. Online (accessed March 2014)

January , 1989 - Kim Campbell (1947-  ) is appointed Minister of State for Indian and Northern Development Source Club de Madrid. Kim Campbell (accessed January 2006)

February 5, 1989 - Karen Percy (1966-   )  of Banff , Alberta wins a Silver Medal in women's alpine skiing
-
February 20, 1989 -
The Canadian Human Rights Commission tribunal rules that all obstacles to women's access to any military job must be removed, with two exceptions: Service aboard submarines and Catholic chaplains

September 15, 1989 - Joan Pennefather
is the 1st woman appointed as Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada

December 2, 1989 - Audrey McLaughlin
, (1936-   ) of the New Democratic Party,
is the 1st woman federal leader of a Canadian political party

December 6, 1989  - 14 young  female engineering students are murdered by a gunman at Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal. 
10 other women were injured and four men were injured

December 11, 1989 - Monique Frize ,
at the University of New Brunswick, is the 1st Chair of Women in Engineering (perhaps the first in the world) Her first official duty is to attend the funeral of the murdered engineering students in Montreal Source A Chronology of the development of women's studies in Canada. The Canadian Electronic Feminist Network  (accessed April 28, 2003. )

1989 - Ingrid Hall
is the 1st woman from any country to become an ambassador to Indonesia Sources: Margaret K. Weiers, Envoys Extraordinary: Women of the Canadian Foreign Service. (Toronto; Dundurn, 1995);

1989 - Chantal Daigle of Chibougamou, Quebec has an abortion, despite her former boyfriend’s seeking of an injunction preventing the abortion which was upheld by the Quebec Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court overturned the case in favor of Daigle

1989 - Doreen Wicks (1935-2004) is inducted into the Order of Canada. Her husband Ben was inducted in 1986, making them the 1st husband & wife to be inducted into the Order

1989 - Dr Henry Morgentaler is arrested in Nova Scotia when he operates a clinic in the province after the provincial government passes legislation prohibition abortions at clinics Source : A History of Abortion in Canada (accessed July 30, 2003)

1989 - The federal government introduces Bill C-43, an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada that would prohibit abortion unless a doctor finds the pregnancy is a threat to the woman's physical, mental or psychological health Source : A History of Abortion in Canada  (accessed July 30, 2003)
 
1989 - The Canadian one dollar bill is replaced with a coin. The depiction of a common loon, a type of bird, on the coin leads to the coin being commonly called a "loonie"

1989 -
 Mrs. June Rowlands becomes the 1st woman Chairperson of the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Commissioners of Police Source: Herstory: Milestones in the History of the Toronto Police Service Women Online Accessed June 2011.

1989 - Helen Kelesi
(1969-   ) ranked at 13th in the World Women's Tennis
is voted by the Canadian Press as winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Top Female Athlete of the Year  

Births 1989:
January 17,1989 -
Born Mo Zhang (1989-   ) Canadian champion in table tennis
October 21, 1989 - Born Ashley Callinbull-Burnham (1989-   ) 1st Canadian & 1st First Nations woman to win Miss Universe pageant

Deaths 1989:
1989 -
Died
Annie Almira Anderson-Dickson (1889-1989) early woman doctor
1989 -
Died Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Graham-Jenkinson (1905-1989) pioneer hockey player who wore a face mask in 1927
1989 -
Died Marion Elder Grant (1900-1989) psychologist & President of the Federation of University Women
1989 -
Died Tmima Mamie Littner Cohn (1907-1989) lawyer & strong supporter for women's rights
1989 -
Died Helen Mary Creighton (1899-1989) distinguished folklorist
1989 - Died Mattie Rotenberg (1897- 1989) 1st woman & 1st Jew to earn a PhD in physics at the University of Toronto
1989 - Died
Merle Shain (1935-1989) journalist & novelist
1989 -
Died Eliza May Stewart (1887-1989) World War I nursing sister
January 23, 1989 - Died Olive Marie Campbell-Menzies (1890-1989) World War 1 Nursing Sister
January 29, 1989 -
Died
Beatrice Lillie, (1894-1989) outstanding comedic actor of her era
March 9, 1989 - Died
Hilda Strike (1910 - 1989) Olympic medalist in 1932
April 8, 1989 - Died Marie Antoinette Papen (1907-1989) radio host & director in Saskatchewan
April 9, 1989 -
Die4d Betty Farrally (1915-1989) dancer & co-founder of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
May 5, 1989 - Died Jennifer Hodge de Silva (1951-1989) acclaimed Black filmmaker
May 22, 1989 -
Died Eirene McClelland (1919-1989) local historian Cantley, Quebec

May 25, 1989 -
Died Helen Frances Gregor (1921-1989) textile artist
May 31, 1989 - Died Elizabeth 'Liz' Cruickshank (1895-1989) 'Liz Roly' OBE, journalist
June 15, 1989 -
Died Bessie Portigal Buchwald (1901-1989) early Canadian Zionist
July 28, 1989 - Died Norah Louise Hughes (1905-1989) 1st woman to be head of a Conference in the United Church of Canada
October 3, 1989
- Died Fredelle Bruser Maynard (1922-1989) writer & journalist who lived in Cabbagetown, Toronto
October 8, 1989 - Died Edith Clayton (1920-1989) Black basket maker
October 10, 1989 -
Died Imelda Dallaire (Sister Marie-Joseph) (1902-1989) hospital manager
October 30, 1989 -
Died
Agnes Watts (1899-1989) philanthropist
November 18, 1989 - Died Mildred Amanda Gottfriedson (1918-1989) Aboriginal leader & 1st Aboriginal woman to receive Order of Canada

December 8, 1989 - Died Annie Powers (1907-1989) 1st francophone women in Ontario to become a doctor
December 12, 1989 - Died Mary Ellouise Black (1895-1989) weaver, occupational therapist, teacher, artist of tapestry & textile arts

 

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