Visionary reformer who worked to improve conditions for women in the workplace celebrated
Vancouver, British Columbia, July 20, 2010--The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today celebrated the national historic significance of Helena Gutteridge, a pioneer for the suffrage movement.
“Our government is proud to honour Helena Gutteridge and her work to improve women’s conditions,” said Minister Prentice. “With today’s commemoration, we take another step in bringing the national historic significance of Helena Gutteridge to all Canadians.”
As an executive member of the Vancouver Trades and Labour Council from 1913 to 1921, Helena Gutteridge represented female workers in the male-dominated trade union milieu, helped organize unions for women, and built bridges between feminist and labour organizations.
Elected as the first female member of Vancouver City Council in 1937, Helena also brought disparate groups together to campaign for a federally-funded program of low-rental housing, laying the foundations for a social housing movement that would bear fruit in the post-Second World War era.
“Helena Gutteridge worked tirelessly to improve conditions for women in the work place,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “She was a visionary reformer who over the course of several decades forged alliances between diverse groups in order to achieve important social and political changes of benefit to women and workers in general”.
“Helena Gutteridge was born in England but she devoted her whole life in Canada to working for the common good: for the eight-hour day, minimum wage, social housing and especially for the rights of women. Yes, Helena is one of those true Canadians from our past who set an example for us today,” said Ms. Irene Howard, author, historian and proponent for Gutteridge’s designation.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of national historic sites that make up the rich tapestry of Canada’s cultural heritage and which offers visitors the opportunity for real and inspiring discoveries.
Information:
Media Relations
National Corporate Communications Branch
Parks Canada
819-994-3023
http://twitter.com/jimprentice
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Helena Gutteridge (1879-1960)
