Death of "Mary Ellen"
• The death occurred-at Vancouver of the: first woman to be Cabinet Minister in- the - British Empire—Mrs. Mary, Ellen Smith,* known throughout Canada,, as "Mary Ellen" (states a correspondent). Born in' Devonshire, she went to. Western Canada with her husband,tiie Hon.: Ralph Smith, Provincial Minister of Finance. At his death, she contested his seat in' Vancouver, was elected, and entered the Cabinet the following year, in 1919. Later, she refused "the Speakership, saying she preferred to fight the cause of women, and children on the floor of the Legislature. Mrs. Smith represented Canada on the League of Nations, and toUred Britain, lecturing on immigration on behalf of the Dominion-Gov-ernment. '..She was instrumental in. passing a minimum wages Bill for women, which has been copied by other Provincial Legislatures.^ . .While her husband was in'tne House of Commons at Ottawa, Mi's..'Smi3th'.;yr*a.'.oiie,of the most active workers on behalf of women in the golden days of^Sir Wilfrid Laurier's regime.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19330624.2.154.10
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 19
Word Count
158Death of "Mary Ellen" Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 19
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