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The Famous Five by Iris Evans
Louise McKinney once said “The purpose of a woman’s life is just the same as the purpose of a man’s life: that she may make the best possible contribution to her generation.” Without doubt, the women we now call the “Famous Five” did just that and because of their actions, women today can do the same – we can live up to our potential and make the best possible contribution to our generation.
We all owe a lot to the Famous Five – the feminist movement of Nellie McClung’s generation endorsed a woman’s right to work and to be paid equally for it. Even given this, they embraced the homemaking role. They understood the important contribution that homemakers made to society.
They sought to achieve in society what they presumed they had already achieved in their own households: to make and enforce rules of good conduct and to clean it up. Nellie McClung once said “Women have cleaned up things since time began…and if women get into politics there will be cleaning up of pigeon holes and forgotten corners in which the dust of years has fallen.” While today, some view the stay-at-home mom as traditional and opposing the feminist movement, the Famous Five saw value in all the roles women play.
My motivation in many ways has been prompted by parents that gave me confidence that I could be whatever I aspired to be – my mother never accepted less than my best effort, and my father expected equivalent performance between his daughters and his sons. For that, I am deeply grateful. I have also been blessed with brilliant and loyal team members. They’ve played a central role in any achievements. I have considered them family one and all – daughters and stars in their own right.
My Famous Five list includes Margaret Bateman. Bright, results-oriented, and above all, kind and caring are words that come to mind when I think of Margaret. Throughout her professional career Margaret has had the ability to manage difficult situations and to do it all with grace. She has the ability to teach and motivate those around her. Margaret has unique ability to connect with people and she lets them shine while she leads from behind. She solves problems by first identifying “What question are we trying to answer?”
Margaret Bateman’s lasting legacy will include her mentorship to other women. The way she conducts herself, the way she cares for others, the way she supportively leads, is something you can’t help but pick up on when you are in her presence.
I read an article where Margaret was being interviewed about the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority and the interviewer asked her “In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events, or a single Google hit?” Her reply, “Definitely a single Google hit and that would be fine with me. I’m more of a watcher of human events.” Margaret has won many awards and championed some of the best policy decisions. I believe she will have her own chapter in the history books and will leave a lasting legacy.
The next woman on my list is Colleen Klein. Colleen makes my list for a number of reasons, not the least of which is her work as a tireless and passionate advocate for children and for the vulnerable. Most know Colleen in her role as wife to former Premier Ralph Klein. What many may not know is that she survived a remarkable life marked with tragedy and discrimination, including an earlier marriage in which she was battered, and suffered the loss of a brother in a drunk-driving accident. Some might say she was an underdog but Colleen has been a motivator. The tragic events in her life turned her into a fighter determined to do what she can to help the least powerful in society. Colleen lobbied tirelessly, if quietly, among her husband’s colleagues – including myself. She used her position in society to help those less fortunate, to help the most vulnerable children in the province – she has a special place in the spirits of Aboriginal people.
Her work has improved the lives of countless children and families. Colleen has said “When you are working with children, you park your ego and political colours at the door and get to work.” This no-nonsense attitude and determination to help others, despite the challenges she has encountered in her life, puts her firmly on my Famous Five list.
Also on my list is Jan Reimer, a former mayor whose devotion and commitment to women’s issues is unmatched in the province. In her role as the provincial coordinator for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, Jan has made huge progress providing support for 41 member shelters by overseeing the development of educational tools, resource materials, training seminars, research and public awareness. In turn, these women’s shelters provide the support mechanisms that empower women and their children to escape abusive relationships. To this work Jan has brought government experience, and under her leadership, concerns like core funding for shelters and wage parity for shelter workers have been addressed and the organization has become recognized as an expert authority on family violence.
In 2004, she was honoured as an Edmontonian of the Century and in 2006 she was recognized by Governor-General Michaëlle Jean with the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for her contributions to women’s equality. Jan Reimer is an Edmonton woman making a difference – I’ve admired her – I’ve trusted her implicitly. Her actions inspire us all to do more.
Next on my Famous Five list is Linda Stainton. For more than 25 years, Linda has been an advocate for developing and using innovative strategies that meet the developmental and educational needs of children with disabilities. Her young son was born prematurely and she taught herself to be his best ally. She expanded her talents and her work has led to significant contributions including valuable support to Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act, passed in 2004. She has worked hard to help create a barrier-free and inclusive environment for children with disabilities in the classroom.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Albertans with disabilities have made immense contributions to our culture, our economy and our social fabric. These now-contributing adults got a solid start as children because of Linda’s work. When we take the time to invest in our own people, the rewards are always greater than we could have imagined. Linda has taught us that we just need to open our eyes a little wider so that we can see not the limitations of the disabled but instead their tremendous potential. When Linda looks at you with her bright, inquisitive blue eyes, she wants truth and commitment – she is rarely denied.
The final woman on my list of Famous Five is Dr. Ruth Taylor. Ruth and her husband share a passion for libraries and a strong belief that the resources in them should be available as widely as possible. Supporting this belief, they donated $25 million to create a new library at the University of Calgary.
Ruth has always been committed to education. In the course of her career, she has worked as a teacher, school counsellor and vice-principal. While raising two boys, she earned a doctorate in education from the University of Alberta, where she wrote a dissertation on home education. She also holds a master’s degree in education from San Diego State University, and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta, with a major in fine arts. She has worked on the Alberta Mental Health Board and as a consultant for Alberta Children’s Services in the area of resources for children with disabilities. During her time consulting at Children Service’s, Ruth was instrumental in creating the Provincial Parent Advisory Committee and acted as co-chair.
Her first chosen child has cerebral palsy and through Ruth’s relentless support, her son Scott has achieved remarkable independence. Ruth has always understood that our children, our youth are Alberta’s true advantage. She has always understood that it is with the children that our future lies and it is they who will determine the shape of things to come.
I am thankful for women like Ruth and Linda who have treated our children like a precious resource, and whose compassion enabled Alberta to create a better law supporting families with children with disabilities.
If you were picking your Famous Five, who would you choose? Certainly there are many others to consider. Women like Lois Hole, our former Lieutenant-Governor; or Anne McLellan, former Deputy Prime Minister; or women like Lynda Steele who promotes literacy and raises awareness about domestic violence and fundraises for cancer research; or perhaps Dr. Margaret Ann Armour – such an inspired and admired academic.
Women who make a difference are not just the women who receive awards and are well known. And while they may not become famous, mothers make a tremendous contribution and make an undeniable difference. Many of these same women are also making a difference in the workplace, even in non-traditional work places.
Some might wonder about the experiences in my life that have helped me grow as an individual, a politician and a woman.
Keep learning – our job is to discover our gifts – learn who we are and what we can best accomplish – to use that knowledge in pursuit of a life well lived – a life that matters. Keep laughing – stand frontal nudity before a mirror! Keep loving – no matter how often you may be disappointed, love can bloom again.
Will you be disappointed if you aren’t the one that matters to the masses – rather to just a select few? Some will move mountains and yes, some will be a paragraph or two in a history book one day.
They named the high school in Stavely after my father, after he died and years later – when the children from that town went to school in Claresholm – the school was torn down. My dad would’ve been the first to agree. He will not be remembered by a plaque, but in the hearts of all he taught and touched. My mother wept in the pain of her blindness and asked me “What good am I? Why can’t I die now?” I held her and told her what I’m telling you. We have a privilege – perhaps even a duty – to honour the life we were blessed with, to live it all to the fullest. We may charter a course that is interrupted by many less perfect events but in the end we must love; we must give what we can to others. In so doing we will receive more than we have ever given.
God bless and thank you. |
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