A "Famous Five" skit re-enactment during the speaker session. Photo: Sarah McCarthy
2018 is a year to remember for women’s rights in Canada. It has been 100 years since women gained the right to legally vote. The Women’s Canadian Club of London hosted their September speaker session at Centennial Hall featuring Dr. Jean Hewitt. The club is targeted towards women and discusses social topics relating to Canadian culture, history, supporting each other and the community. Jean Hewitt is a public speaker, lecturer, author and has previously done work in education among many other jobs. Hewitt has been speaking about women’s rights and the movement since her 20’s. The 100 -year celebration this year and transitioning to October which honors “Women’s History Month,” the Women’s Canadian Club of London speaker session was nothing less than fitting.
It was an inspirational history lesson about “The Famous Five” with a troop of actors and the first wave of women’s movement towards equal rights. Hewitt talked about her own life experiences and why she chooses to empower other women through speech.
“I have always felt strongly. I loved stories about strong women when I was a little kid and it just kinda kept on. I was raised by a single Mom, who was coping and wasn’t raised without any stereotypes of what I could or couldn’t do. So I think it came fairly naturally.”
In the 60’s to the mid 80’s the second women’s movement took place, where that generations goal was equal pay and decent child care, Hewitt explained. Hewitt sees a bright future for this generation of young women.
“I am quite encouraged by the “Me Too” movement, what i see is very, very many young women now starting to demand respect.”
Hewitt also says there has been some setbacks. A disappointment in education in regards to women’s history is the option of a general history course in schools. Hewitt says it is not enough for students.
“I think all young women should learn about their grandmothers and great-grandmothers-and should get out and vote, because that’s the way to power and that’s the way to self confidence. If I had my way, they would all learn about these amazing Canadian women.”
Dr. Hewitt has received many awards, her latest being the 2015 Woman of Courage Award, on behalf of Stratford’s Women Shelter for her 50 years of work in the field. She continues to inspire a wide variety of audiences and has more work to come with honoring “Women’s History Month” in October and the celebration continuing for the 100th Anniversary of Canadian women’s right to vote.
The London Women’s Canadian Club hosts speaker sessions every month.
You can find more details by visiting their website.
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