Horton Journal of Canadian History ~ Papers
The Honorable Therese Forget Casgrain
by
Aja Lapointe
"In a democracy, all the citizens are governed by the same laws but these are generally drawn up and enacted by men. If society is to be improved, a greater number of competent women must make their presence felt in all spheres of life, politics included." ("Her Matters of Fact: Little-known outstanding women of history; Therese F. Casgrain (1896-1981)")
Canadian women were participating in organizations devoted to developing education, encouraging stricter liquor laws, supporting their churches and struggling for women’s rights long before they had the right to vote or stand in federal and provincial elections. They were dedicated to the enhancement of social conditions as well as the quality of life for their fellow Canadians. Women do much of the detailed work in every type of institutional endeavor in society at large. With very few exceptions, women had been excluded from the professions, other than nursing and teaching, until the beginning of this century. ("Celebrating Women’s Achievements: First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures") Anticipating a worldwide movement from the extensive sharing of human freedom, Canadian women had to engage in difficult legal proceedings in the 1920s in order to overcome oppression and exploitation, and to gain legal status as "persons". When they became entitled to participate in the electoral process, it did not take long for Canadian women to leave a lasting impression. (Women’s Rights: Women Liberating Men")
Of these many Canadian women, Therese Casgrain of Quebec proved herself to be one of Canada’s most prominent twentieth century reformers. Casgrain raised four children and strongly encouraged her husband’s undertakings while concurrently making her own very personal and continued contributions to the areas of politics and human rights, equality, prison reform, child welfare and civil code amendments. The political career of Therese Casgrain did much to enlighten society on the inequalities that existed in the realm of politics between male and female politicians.
Therese Casgrain was born in Montreal on July 10, 1896 to Lady Blanche MacDonald and Sir Rodolphe Forget, a distinguished lawyer, financier, Conservative politician and humanitarian. Forget’s political affiliation provided a constant political presence in Therese’s life. When Therese married a lawyer by the name of Pierre Casgrain on January 19, 1916, this presence continued. Pierre was a Member of Parliament who became Speaker of the House of Commons and Secretary of State under Prime Minister Mackenzie King.
Although Therese Casgrain was notably involved in political, social and labor activities all her life, she entered the public sphere during the federal election of 1921 when she organized a highly successful campaign for her husband who was debilitated by a serious illness. Subsequent to the First World War, Casgrain served on the Federal Minimum Wage Board. In the 1920s, Casgrain campaigned for many essential reforms, and is most renowned for her passionate and energetic leadership in the fight for suffrage in Quebec. One of the main obstacles to winning suffrage in Quebec was the lack of support from the rural French women. Casgrain was able to enlighten many of these women through her radio program, "Femina", which was broadcast over French and English networks, and by speaking at conventions. ("The Heroic Heart")
In her book Une Femme chez les Hommes published in 1971, Therese confirmed that being a Federal Deputy's wife allowed her to establish many important political connections. She recalls the favorite argument of many anti-feminists: that those who wanted the right to vote were all old harpies and had no children. When Premier Taschereau smiled and said "Obviously, now that you are campaigning for the right to vote for women, there is no question of having more children. If, by chance, that happens I would like to be the Godfather of this newborn. If it is a boy, we will make him a Bishop." To which she retorted "And if it's a girl, she will be a suffragette." (Casgrain, 85)
From 1928 to 1942 she was the president of the League for Women’s Rights. Her leadership led to her founding the French Junior League and the French Federated Charities. She was also an active member of the National Welfare Council. During wartime she was one of two presidents of the Women’s Surveillance Committee for the Wartime Prices Trade Board and was fundamental in instituting the Consumer Branch of this board. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her many wartime services.
Through the committed direction of Therese Casgrain, who campaigned thoughtfully and ceaselessly on behalf of women, the Quebec Legislature finally gave women the right to vote in provincial elections on April 25, 1940. Following the wars and the final achievement of the vote, she became vice-president of the National Federation of Liberal Women and in 1948 resigned to join the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). The CCF was a left wing political party prominent in western Canada during the 1930s and 1940s. Its affirmed aim was to transform the capitalist economic system into a "cooperative commonwealth" by democratic means. ("Co-operative Commonwealth Federation")
Casgrain’s reasoning behind her joining the CFF party was that she "had long seen how badly Canada needed a political party centered upon the common good rather than on the promotion of personal interests". ("Celebrating Women’s Achievements: First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures") In 1948, she was chosen one of the national vice-chairpersons of the CCF Party. When elected leader of the Quebec Social Democratic Party in 1951, she became the first woman party leader anywhere in Canada. She served as provincial leader three times until 1957.
In 1955, the provincial party name was changed to Le Parti Social Democratique du Quebec in order to more visibly indicate its objectives than the former CCF title. Casgrain later became president of the NDP in Quebec, the strong labor-built party that evolved from the CCF in 1961. Casgrain continued her active support, asserting "I can’t imagine a woman who has the best interest of her children at heart not taking an interest in politics." ("Politics: Therese Casgrain")
In 1961, Casgrain was the founder of the Quebec Branch of the peace group, Voice of Women, dedicated to world peace. She expressed their concerns and led their fight for the abolition of nuclear weapons. As the branch’s national president, she was its delegate to many international summits. She often affirmed, " I think that we do not have the right to do nothing, to quit and say nothing. They find me ‘annoying’, but I have things to say and I will continue to say them at the risk of displeasure or criticism." (Archambault, 385)
In 1967, the year selected by the United Nations for the celebration of human rights, Casgrain arranged for the Federation des Femmes du Quebec (FFQ) to effectively coordinate the efforts of numerous women’s groups in the province. From its foundation, the FFQ had the objective to group women, without distinction of race, ethnic origin, colour or faith, and associations eager to coordinate their activities in the field of social action. The union became an effective means to work together for the defense of the interests and the rights of women. ("Qu’est-ce que la Federation des femmes du Quebec") In addition to this, she served as president of the Ligue des droit de l’homme, the Quebec Medical Aid to Vietnam Committee and the French section of the Canadian Adult Education Association.
Casgrain’s renowned dedication was recognized by many of the organizations she promoted. She was awarded both the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada’s medal "Woman of the Century" for Quebec and the Societe de Criminologie du Quebec named her the recipient of "the person who has been most distinguished in the defense of human rights and the ideals of justice in society" award in 1967. That same year, she was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada, and was eventually made Companion of the Order in 1974.
Casgrain became president of the Canadian Consumers Association for Quebec in 1969. As a direct result of Casgrain’s lobbying for this cause, the position of Minister for Consumer Affairs was created. In 1979, Casgrain was rewarded with the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. The honor reflected the nation’s appreciation of her vigorous direction in demand for suffrage in Quebec.
Her assiduousness and involvement in social and political affairs did not impede her educational goals. Therese Casgrain proficiently received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from twelve Canadian universities between 1968 and1981. These universities included: Universite de Montreal, McGill, Trent, Queens, Waterloo, Bishop’s, Notre Dame, Mount Saint Vincent, York, Ottawa, Concordia and Windsor, all of which are distinguished post-secondary educational institutions. ("Celebrating Women’s Achievements: First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures")
Perhaps one of Therese Casgrain’s most admirable accomplishments was her position in the Senate under Prime Minister Trudeau in 1970. Casgrain sat as an Independent for nine months until she reached the obligatory senator’s retirement at age seventy-five. Casgrain’s next undertaking was the fight against enforced retirement from any Canadian profession. ("Celebrating Women’s Achievements: First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures")
Senator Casgrain died in Montreal on November 3, 1981 at the age of 85 years old. She continued her relentless campaigning for her causes until this time. She fought against an unresponsive and conformist society for both women’s rights as well as for reforms that profited men and women equally. This is why Therese Casgrain is still considered a true humanist.
In 1982, the Therese F. -Casgrain Fellowship Foundation was established in order to perpetuate the memory of Therese Casgrain by supporting others to follow her actions in the sphere of social justice. This fellowship is available every second year in order to carry out research in the field of social justice as well as economic and social interests of Canadian women. ("Therese F. – Casgrain Fellowship")
Although Canadian women are still involved in the ongoing struggle for social and political equality, Therese Forget Casgrain was a tenacious and dedicated leader whose lifetime of countless successes have inspired many generations of women to follow. La lutte continue…
Bibliography
Archambault , Lorraine et Anita Caron. Therese Casgrain: Une Femme Tenace et Engagee Quebec, 1993
Casgrain, Therese. Une Femme chez les Hommes Ottawa, 1971
"Celebrating Women’s Achievements: First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures"
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/2/12/h12-278-e.html
"Co-operative Commonwealth Federation" http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=24886&tocid=0
"Herstory An Exhibition; Politics: Therese Casgrain" http://library.usask.ca/herstory/casgrain.html
"Her Matters of Fact: Little-known outstanding women of history; Therese F. Casgrain (1896-1981)"
http://www.canoe.com/MoneyWomenProfiles/casgrain_woman.html
"Qu’est-ce que la Federation des Femmes du Quebec" http://ffq.qc.ca/presentation/qqc.html
"The Heroic Heart" http://www.pch.gc.ca/poh-sdh-2000/english/routeone/r1-hero1.html
"Therese F. – Casgrain Fellowship" http://www.sshrc.ca/english/programinfo/grantsguide/srf.htm#tc
"Women’s Rights: Women Liberating Men" http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume4/200-205.htm
