An Eternal Grace for Women Empowerment: Nellie McClung Essay Example

Voting…. It’s so common for us to argue about politics even as kids on the bus, in classrooms, and other environments, but there was a time when not all of us got to have an opinion nor vote. The not all of us, are just females. The verisimilar stereotype and norm of, “women aren’t good enough, men have always naturally had more capabilities.” No, women aren’t hindrances nor obstacles to utopia, instead, our society normalizing sexism and gender bias is. But voting was a right that we, as females, were denied until one strongly empowered and politically-dedicated woman led a movement, Mrs. Nellie McClung. Not only was she an author, activist, legislator, social reformer, suffragist, teacher, lecturer and most importantly, a determined politician, but she also thrived as an inspiration to women just like me, and an exemplar for our future generations. 

On October 20th, 1873, during the pinnacle of unequal rights based on gender-typical sexism, the birth of someone who was bound to lead a butterfly effect was born. Being the child of John Moohney and Letitia McCurdy, Nellie McClung was always an advocate at heart, standing up for what she believed in whether or not it was against the 1870s traditional worldview. In a clustered family with six children, she moved to the foot of Souris River Valley in Manitoba. She was enrolled in schools that only a few offered certificates for professional women, which is a part of the fuel Nellie McClung used to light up her true passions; being a suffragette. Although she had to deal with immensely more competition, and challenges in Manitoba, she overcame them and it turned out to be rewarding as she became a teacher at just the age of 16. While maintaining the overwhelming stress of teaching all eight grades, she planted the seeds for political development. Whilst sprouting change, Nellie McClung got married to Robert McClung, then birthed five children. Even in her farming environment back in Ontario, she witnessed liquor being a damaging aspect to many peoples’ lives. To initiate change and ease the issue of alcohol, Nellie McClung took part in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Nevertheless, this was huge for her as it aided her beliefs in standing up as a suffragette, and it induced her mindset. 

As time progressed, she wrote some bibliographies and books based on her life and her viewpoints on issues especially women rights. Her first huge bestseller, Sowing seeds in Danny (1908), was based on fantasies. However, she began to write books about change and social reformation. Readings such as The Second Chance (1910) or Purple Springs (1921) instigate equal rights and revoke the inferiority of women. Nellie McClung dives into the rabbit hole of issues in her time that were covered up constantly, and shed light on them. These stumbling blocks included Indigenous people not being able to practice their culture, single mother-hood, laws against women, the essentiality of day-cares for children, and more that targeted the wellbeing of wives and children. Not only did she emphasize women's rights in her novels, but many common "deal with it" nuisances that society throws at certain people whether it be due to race, culture, gender, beliefs, etc. Furthermore, Nellie was an active participant in the Home Economics Association, Methodist Ladies' Aid, Methodist Sunday School, Epworth League (youth organization), Band of Hope (children's WCTU), all alongside her colossal devotion to the WCTU. These organizations were all advocates for her beliefs, especially the right to vote. Instead of following the traditional housewife role, Nellie served as an outspoken woman in her values and political arenas. 

Accordingly, in early 1914, Nellie and the League she was with stood up to Manitoba's government and authorities with an appeal to allow women the right to vote, but it was denied. With detrimental determination, Nellie and her practical sisters from different mothers (the famous five), developed a play to raise awareness to the public instead of going straight back to parliament. The play depicted Nellie McClung as the premier, and traduced arguments that opposed women’s right to vote. This change was so drastic that you should've seen the jaw-dropped mouths of the men whom had continuously doubted the power of Nellie McClung in the famous five, and it resulted in Manitoba granting the right to vote to women. The domino effect led to Saskatchewan and Alberta also getting rid of the negative stigma of women in politics, and ended up granting them the right to vote. In late summer of 1914, she moved to Edmonton, Alberta. Impressively, she was elected into Alberta's Legislative Assembly and from there, moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1923. It's so heart-warming to think that such an empowered female roamed the streets of the city I reside in now. As restless as she was, she wrote 15 books in all her time, each empowering women and out-speaking her beliefs. Other things she pushed for included equal pay, the right to vote for all racial groups, Indigenous and Asian rights, and growing confidence within females. She was so impactful she received the “Persons Case”, and still, alongside the other famous five members, pressured the Supreme Court of Canada to give women the “person status”. Could you believe we weren't even considered persons before the 1929s? Until, Nellie McClung. 

As recent as March 2021, a study done by YouGov on 1000 women showed that nearly a whopping 97% of them have been sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed. This means only 3% haven't been touched or violated against their own will by men. This ratio is incredibly real and disgusting. While the ratio worldwide is 35%, just the fact that the percentage is over 0% is embarrassing for our modern-day and advanced world. Whether we’re fully clothed or not, whether it’s winter or not, young women are in a human right crisis. Not just being exploited for our bodies by men, we still experience unfair pay (in sports especially), being denied the right to abortion (a body choice), and norms in general. We face issues with not just the menacing beauty standard of society, but with our safety, rights, and equality. All in all, it’s just unfair.

If Nellie McClung were here today, I would expect nothing less than her passion, charisma and determination. She would activate protests, create literature, and use her astonishing public-speaking skills to educate the public. Looking back at the determination through constant failure by Nellie McClung inspired me to give a shot at hopefully reaching an equilibrium between men and women in our society, though my impact may be little now, it’ll develop more as I try. Through social media, blog posts, advocacy groups, I want to make some noise and raise my voice against society. Truly, she is a champion that inspires me to create change.

Being a part of two sports teams, volleyball and soccer, I'm always using them as an excuse to stay confident and participate in the community. To add, I spread positivity where I can, like this year, I decorated the bulletin boards at school with spring decorations to uplift the mood. Ordinarily, I take any chance to participate in different competitions, and this year, I took part in the Pascal National math competition, the Youth and Philanthropy initiative, this essay competition, and an upcoming UFC math competition. Furthermore, I volunteer at the Calgary Public library and at my mom's daycare when I can; though it's harder because of the pandemic. For the future, I have been accepted into Diefenbaker's IB Programme which will allow me to build my development in leadership and creating impact. I also plan on starting petitions and advocacy groups for issues I believe in. Specifically our planet, Indigenous rights, Black and Asian lives matter movements, discrimination of Indian farmers, and women's rights. I want to try and encourage body positivity, equal rights, and ensuring we can create a lower ratio of sexual abuse for a more prosperous time. Many issues are in our world today that I don’t agree with, and I want to join movements to inspire our society to change instead of continuing it’s blatant disregard for racism, sexism, climate change, abuse, the right to abortion, etc.

As famously quoted by the champion herself, "pencils are made with erasers to erase the mistakes we make." We have to act as the erasers on pencils and help aid our world in reducing its flaws so we can collectively make this world convalescent. Nellie McClung is the reason that women can invoice their opinions in elections every year, a right that should’ve never been taken away for unfair prejudices and world-views on women’ significance. Not only did she pursue her passions in literature, but her opinions and empowerment in society. She made her lifetime impactful, and with no regrets. Just like her, I hope we can create a new path that’s flourished with love, positivity and equality for all racial groups, all genders, and all people.