Women and the Vote

Women Should Vote: A short history of how women won the franchise in Ontario tells the story of the struggle for women’s suffrage in Ontario at the turn of the 20th century. The documentary follows the activism of prominent suffragists such as Emily Stowe, her daughter Augusta Stowe-Gullen, and Flora Macdonald Denison as they joined their sisters around the globe in the struggle for an equal say in their own future. These women formed associations, petitioned the Ontario Legislature, wrote essays, and held satirical events to achieve their goals of equal rights for women. It is a celebration of their tenacity and vision, which led the way to the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Ontario. Find supporting teaching resources here.

This documentary was produced by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario's Broadcast and Recording Service. It has been nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing, Documentary. Congratulations to the nominees!

You can watch the documentary online below.

Canadian Screen Award 2020 Nominee logo