Smith honoured as political pioneer for women

Receives Governor General’s Award

After more than 30 years of public service – much of it devoted to the advancement of women’s rights in Canada – Muriel Smith was recently presented with a prestigious honour.

“It was a thrill,” she said, to be named one of six recipients of this year’s Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Person’s Case. The award is named for the 1929 case that legally recognized women as persons, and therefore made them eligible to vote.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean presented Smith with her medal at a ceremony in Ottawa on Oct. 17.

Winnipeg North MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who nominated Smith for the award, held a reception last Thursday at the William Norrie Centre on Selkirk Avenue to congratulate the woman she calls her “mentor, guide, role model and friend.”

Many of Smith’s accomplishments while serving two terms in the Manitoba Legislature from 1981-88 advanced the struggle for women’s equality, from fighting for pay equity to establishing the Province’s non-profit childcare program.

But perhaps most significant for North End women was her effort to establish a network of women’s resource centres throughout the province. The North End Women’s Centre, opened in 1984, would not have been possible without this initiative.

“We thought it was important to provide a meeting place for women,” said Smith. “A place where they would know that they aren’t alone.”

Smith is still closely involved with women’s councils on the local, provincial and federal levels. She said the issue of affordable housing is among the major issues she continues to fight for.

“There are many women’s issues that are still under the radar,” she said.

Among the well-wishers gathered to congratulate Smith were many of the 18 female MLAs currently in the Manitoba Legislature – the highest percentage of any legislative body in Canada.

“I was motivated to run because women’s voices had to be heard,” said Smith, who was the country’s first female deputy premier.

Wasylycia-Leis called Smith a “formidable force” in the fight for women’s issues, and a major reason why so many women now hold public office both in Winnipeg and Ottawa.

“As a result of her effort, it made it easier for women to run for office. She certainly cleared my path,” said Wasylycia-Leis.