The Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) is pleased to recognize a significant anniversary in our province today – 100 years since women gained the right to vote and hold public office. In celebrating this step toward equality, it is also important to recognize it was many more years before those in Labrador as well as Indigenous and racialized women were able to cast their ballots.
Achieving this right for women in Newfoundland and Labrador was an arduous process, having been considered by the House of Assembly twice in the late 1800s and defeated both times. When the issue of the social and economic importance of women’s work and their entitlement to the franchise returned to the Assembly for consideration in the mid-1920’s, the House was persuaded and amendments allowing women the right to vote passed on April 3, 1925.
Members of the CWP NL chapter marked today’s occasion, joining Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, current and former MHAs, public officials and community leaders who identify as women for an event at Confederation Building, co-hosted by the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Minister of Women and Gender Equality. Today’s event was the kickoff to other commemorations planned to mark the anniversary over the coming months.
The CWP NL chapter is also pleased to see the unveiling of a new display in the House of Assembly public gallery foyer, honouring a century of remarkable individuals who identify as women and their stories of breaking down barriers to make significant and outstanding contributions in our communities and society. The public is encouraged to visit the House of Assembly to view the display, which will remain in place throughout 2025. Information on visiting the House of Assembly is available here.
The CWP is a network of over 3,000 women Parliamentarians in over 180 Commonwealth national and sub-national Parliaments, with a mission to promote the representation of women in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association branches and women’s full and equal participation in political and parliamentary leadership at all levels. The NL Chapter comprises all MHAs who identify as women elected to the House of Assembly, including:
- Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Member for Placentia – St. Mary’s, Chair of CWP NL Chapter
- Lisa Dempster, Member for Cartwright – L’Anse au Clair
- Pam Parsons, Member for Harbour Grace – Port de Grave
- Helen Conway Ottenheimer, Member for Harbour Main
- Lucy Stoyles, Member for Mount Pearl North
- Sarah Stoodley, Member for Mount Scio
- Siobhan Coady, Member for St. John’s West
- Krista Lynn Howell, Member for St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows
- Lela Evans, Member for Torngat Mountains
Quote
“As Chair of the CWP NL Chapter, I am pleased to join with my CWP colleagues to mark this significant occasion in our history. Today, we stand on the shoulders of women who boldly put themselves forward and were elected to serve before us, starting with Lady Helena Squires who was the first woman elected to serve in our Legislature in 1930. With only 39 other women elected in our Legislature since that time, this anniversary reminds us that we must continue to remain committed to the CWP’s mission of promoting the representation of women.”
Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA
Deputy SpeakerChair, CWP NL Chapter
-30-
Learn more
House of Assembly
Media contact
Bobbi Russell
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca