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Political Pioneers: Women in Alberta Politics (Appendix A)

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Biographies of Female Edmonton City Councillors

Bethel, Judith C. Alderman, Oct. 1986-1993 Born in Winnipeg, August 24, 1943. Educated at University of North Dakota (B.Sc., 1965) and University of Alberta (1974). Teacher with Edmonton Public School Board, 1974-1981, investment broker with Midland Doherty, 1981-1982, investment broker with Richardson Greenshields, 1982-1987. Member of Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton Business and Professional WomenÕs Club, Edmonton WomenÕs Network, and Edmonton Society of Financial Analysts; past director of Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. Elected to House of Commons as Liberal for Edmonton East in October 1993. Lost her seat to Peter Goldring, Reform, in the 1997 election. Married to Clarence G. Two children.

Browne, Ethel May
Alderman, Nov. 7, 1945 - Sept. 23, 1946

Elected in November 1945 but served only a short term due to poor health. Was president of Edmonton Navy MothersÕ Club during WWII and served on the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta. Died on February 4, 1974 at age 80. Survived by her husband and one son.

Butti, Olivia
Alderman, Oct. 1974-1986

Born in Musidora, Alberta, February 17, 1938. Attended school at Hairy Hill; completed high school at Victoria Composite in Edmonton. Two years of parliamentary law training. Graduate of Dorothy Carnegie Public Speaking course. International Toastmistress. Career has included four years with the Bank of Commerce and the Royal Bank, one year in public relations for Girl Friday Ltd., and ten years as advertising consultant for Lawson& Jones Ltd. Founder of Rosslyn Community League, member of various organizations, including Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton Toastmistress Club, and Northern Ambassadors. Volunteer with Cancer and Heart Foundations. Fluent in Ukrainian. Belongs to St. Edmund's Roman Catholic Church. Married to Peter; one son and one daughter.

Campbell, Lois Norene
Alderman, Oct. 1977-1983

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, April 29, 1919. B.Ed. from the University of Alberta. Former teacher and Edmonton Public School Board trustee (1968-1974). Member of University of Alberta Senate for six years. Married to Duncan. Four children.

Chichak, Catherine
Alderman, Oct. 1989-1992

Born in Wynyard, Saskatchewan, (1977 ed. of Canadian parliamentary guide has Krasne, Sask. as place of birth), October 7 (no year given); daughter of Alexander Shular and Anne Melnyk. Educated at Wynyard elementary and high schools, McTavish Business College, Edmonton, and the University of Alberta. Elected to Alberta Legislature in 1971 as a Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Norwood; re-elected in 1975 and 1979. Lost her seat in 1982 election to NDP leader Ray Martin. Edmonton Separate School Board trustee, 1983-1989; helped create new French School Program for the Edmonton school district. Key activist in establishing Institute of Canadian Studies at the University of Alberta. Member of Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, and the Progressive Conservative Party. Convicted and fined $200 in 1990 under the Local Authorities Election Act for signing a false statement about her tax arrears. The courts found she wasn't qualified to run for council in 1989 because she owed the city $8,400 in unpaid business taxes on her downtown gallery going back to 1986. But the Court of Queen's Bench ruled she was legally entitled to take her seat because she had since paid the amount owing. She ran again in 1992 in Ward II but lost her seat. Ukrainian Catholic by religion. Married to Stanley Chichak on May 14, 1960. Independent businesswoman.

Clarke, Gwendolen A. (nee Asbury)
Alderman, Nov. 1941-1943

Born in Durham, Ontario. Came to Edmonton in 1907, working first for the provincial government and then as secretary for city council's committees. While working as secretary met Joseph Clarke, then city alderman, and married him in 1911. Was elected alderman in 1941 following her husband's death. She was the third woman in Edmonton's history to be elected to civic office. President of Edmonton branch of United Nations Association in 1954. Died on March 25, 1972. Survived by one daughter.

Crang, Margaret Tryphene Francis
Alderman, Nov. 1933-1937

Daughter of Frank Crang, former Edmonton Public School Board chairman and trustee. Received B.A. in 1930, law degree in 1932, and admitted to bar in 1934. Elected alderman in 1933 at age 23; ran on a platform of increased assistance to the unemployed. Member of League Against War and Fascism, Canadian Labor Party, Canadian Commonwealth Federation (predecessor of the NDP). Went to Spain in 1936. Friend of Dr. Norman Bethune whom she met in 1939. Ran unsuccessfully three times in provincial elections. Later became reporter for Montreal Gazette. Spent many years in the U.S. to receive treatment for Cushing's disease. Never married and lived with her parents in Garneau. Has lived in Vancouver since 1953.

Douglas, M. Laurette
Alderman, Oct. 1954-1960

Secretary of Mayor Fry, 1935-1944. In business with her brother Dan Carrigan, managing the office of their moving and storage business. Ran unsuccessfully as Liberal candidate for Edmonton Centre in 1959 provincial election. Member of Order of St. Ann in Victoria. Widowed. One daughter.

Additional photos and Source of Text:
Edmonton Journal, October 13, 1966, p. 19

Evans, Una MacLean
Alderman, Oct. 1966-1974

Born in Sunnybrook, Alberta, on March 11, 1926; daughter of Augustus S. and Lillie Agnes MacLean who homesteaded in the area from 1913 to 1950. Educated at Sunnybrook, Central Collegiate Institute in Calgary and at the University of Manitoba where she studied arts. Active in the Liberal Party; served as president of Young Liberal Federation of Canada (1953-1955), secretary of National Young Liberal Federation (1956-1959), president of Alberta Women's Liberal Association (1958) and later secretary of Alberta Liberal Association. Served on the Board of Governors of CBC. Active in community affairs and politics. Member of the Presbyterian Church. Married Art Evans, newspaper columnist, in April 1962. Three children.

Field, Mrs. T.H.
Alderman, Nov. 1951-1953

Came to Edmonton in 1927 from London, England, where she was secretary of Chelsea Hospital for Women. Served as president of Women's Canadian Club, Victoria Order of Nurses, chairman of Canadian Red Cross Corps, and Northern Alberta division of Navy League. One of Edmonton's "leading clubwomen and welfare workers." Wife of prominent Edmonton surgeon T.H. Field. Two children.

Hewes, Elizabeth (Bettie) Jane
Alderman, Oct. 1974-1984

Born in Brampton, Ontario, March 12, 1924. Graduated from the University of Toronto in occupational therapy in 1944. Worked in several Ontario hospitals and sanatoria, providing therapy to patients, many of whom were WWII veterans suffering from the trauma of war. Came to Edmonton in 1949; was a housewife until 1964. Executive director, Canadian Mental Health Association (Edmonton), 1964-1967; planner and acting director, Edmonton Social Planning Council, 1967-1974; Chairman, Board of CN, 1984-1985. Active in a number of associations, societies and committees. First elected to Alberta Legislature in 1986 as Liberal, Edmonton-Gold Bar; re-elected in 1989 and 1993. Did not run in the 1997 provincial elections. Member of Grace United Church. Married corrosion engineer F. William Hewes in 1945. Four children.

Kiniski, Julia
Alderman, Oct. 1963-1969

Born in Poland in 1899. Spent her early life on a homestead near Chipman, Alberta. Moved to Edmonton with her husband Nicholas in 1936. Husband was a $5-a-week barber; she sold cosmetics and managed a cafŽ while raising their six children. Enrolled in University of Alberta Extension courses, studying psychology, philosophy and world affairs. Known and loved as supporter of the common people, she won a council seat in the 1963 election after eleven unsuccessful attempts. One of her pet projects in council was her fight to support tenants in basement suites. Died on October 11, 1969. More than 1,300 attended funeral services in the Holy Rosary Polish Church. Son Julian Kinisky won the vacant seat in the 1970 by-election.

Kinsella, Wendy
Councillor, Oct. 1995-

Born on January 1, 1952 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Has lived in Edmonton since she was three years old. Masters degree in library science, University of Alberta (1978). Assistant deputy minister and senior financial officer for Alberta Labour; executive director of Alberta Human Rights Commission. Accepted early retirement package in April 1993 and did contract work for agencies such as Federal Human Rights Commission. Long-time resident and active member and past president of Parkview Community League. Served on city's Water Advisory Council; involved in city's transportation master plan. Also served on boards of YWCA and Edmonton Public Library. Married to Jerry, vice-president of Peace Hills Trust, for twenty years. Two sons, Andrew and Tim.

MacKenzie, Patricia E.
Alderman, Oct. 1986-1995

Born in Regina, Sask. on October 5, 1940? B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan, 1962. High school teacher in Quebec and Ontario, 1962-1985; also worked for Canadian Tire in Ontario, 1971-1981; host and producer of Weekly Public Affairs Program, cable TV, Pickering, Ontario, 1984-1985. Served as alderman for Prescott, Ontario. Active volunteer; has served as president, University Women's Club of Edmonton; chairman, United Way campaign; president, Big Sisters. Married, three children.

McCallum, Kathleen Margaret
Alderman, Oct. 1964-1966, Oct. 1968-1971

Born on July 2 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Taught school for ten years in Saskatchewan, then homemaker. Director, United Community Fund, for six years. Served on the Edmonton Symphony and Royal Alexandra Hospital boards. Member of St. Joseph's Cathedral. Married, six children.

McKay, Sheila Helen
Alderman, Oct. 1989-1995

Born in Edmonton on June 7, 1936. Educated at Westglen High School. Registered nurse; graduated from the Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. Gold medallist in obstetric nursing. Attended university seminars on rapid transit, transportation, parks and regional government. Has nursed in emergency and intensive care wards of the Misericordia Hospital, 1958, 1974-1989. Served as chair, City Council's Committee on Ward Revision and Citizen Participation; chair, Social Services Advisory Board; Also served on Alberta Solicitor General's Advisory Committee on Corrections. Married to Murray McKay. Four children, Marianne, Corinne, Murray and John.

McKibben, Sherry
Alderman, Jan.1994-Oct. 1995

Born in July 1944. Described by Alberta Report as "the city's second homosexual and fifth socialist alderman." Former co-director of the Boyle-McCauley Health Centre. Elected to City Council in Ward III by-election on January 20, 1994. Lost her seat to Robert Noce in the October 1995 election (whom she defeated in the 1994 by-election). Ran as NDP candidate in March 1997 provincial election in the Edmonton Norwood riding but lost to Liberal Sue Olsen.

Paull, Helen
Alderman, Oct. 1986-1992

Born in Edmonton. Educated at the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. Chairman of the Board, Edmonton Convention Centre Authority; board member of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Advisory Board, Edmonton Northlands, Edmonton Regional Mental Health Council, Downtown Business Association, Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission, St. Joseph's Hospital, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Involved in various associations, including the Hadassah Bazaar, and fund raising activities for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Citadel Theatre. Married to Cecil L. Three children.

Reimer, Janice Rhea
Mayor, Oct. 1989-1995
Alderman, Oct. 1980-1989

Born in Edmonton on May 23, 1952; daughter of Neil Reimer, first leader of Alberta New Democratic Party. B.A., University of Alberta, 1973; studied urban sociology and political science. Spent three years after graduation travelling and working in Southeast Asia, Australia and India. (Was welfare officer in Darwin and Brisbane, Australia, 1975-1977). Citizens co-ordinator, Calder Action Committee, 1977-1980. Served as director, Board of Governors, Royal Alexandra Hospital Board; director, Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission; co-author of N.U.T.S. and B.O.L.T.S., a self-help guide for community groups. Past president, Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation; former chairman, City of Edmonton Task Force on Economic Development; former chairman, Inter-Municipal Task Force on Out-of-School Care; former chairman, River Valley Steering Committee; former board member, Edmonton Social Planning Council. Married to Dr. Hubert Kammerer, a physician at the Boyle McCauley Health Centre. Two children.

Rosenberger, Rose
Councillor, Oct. 1995-

Born in September 1946. Bachelor of Education, University of Alberta, 1969. Resident of Ward II for twenty years. Former teacher and mediator. Has served as chairperson, Edmonton Police Commission, Edmonton public School Board trustee (two terms), fund raising co-chair for Castledowns YMCA, and member of Mayor's Task Force on Safer Cities. Married. Two sons.

Ross, Izena (Mrs. Will J.)
Alderman, 1922

First female alderman in Edmonton. Active member of the Local Council of Women. Served on the Edmonton Public School Board from 1935 to 1945. Died in 1945.

Wilson, Ethel Sylvia
Alderman, Oct. 1952-1966

Born on a farm by Sunnyside near Edmonton, Alberta, on February 13, 1902; daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (nee Spooner) Knight. Educated at Sunnyside Public School and Edmonton Business College. Moved to Edmonton in 1925 where she married but was left alone with three young children when her husband died 10 years later. Took a job as seamstress with Burns Meats Ltd. and held that position for 25 years until retirement in 1962. Active in labour organization at the plant; executive secretary, Edmonton Labor Council (C.C.L.) for six years. Labor representative on U.I.C. Panel of Appeals for eight years. Member of Business and Professional Women's Club. Elected to Alberta Legislature in 1959 for Edmonton North (later Edmonton Kingsway); re-elected in 1963 and 1967. Appointed minister without portfolio in 1962 (second woman in Alberta to be named a cabinet minister). Responsible for the passage of Bill 86 in 1967 that established the WomenÕs Bureau of Culture and Information. As a cabinet minister she led the development of Hilltop House in 1965, a hostel facility for needy women. Also pioneered a family aid program for persons with handicapped children and the annual Alberta Girls Parliament. Served on the boards of the Edmonton Public Library, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Health Board, Recreation Commission, Greater Edmonton Foundation, and the Business and Professional WomenÕs Club. Member of Social Credit Party. Pentecostal by religion. Married to David Wilson on December 29, 1925. Husband died in 1935. Three children. Died on Thursday, December 8, 1983.

Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C