Louise McKinney was an Alberta legislator and activist who devoted her life to championing women’s rights. No local woman is unaware of her contributions to society. McKinney is considered one of Canada’s most influential women of the 19th century. More at edmontonka.com.
Childhood and Youth
Louise was born on September 22, 1868, in Frankville, Ontario, a small village. She was one of seven siblings. Her parents were Methodists. While doing well in school, Louise dreamed of becoming a doctor to help people – but, unfortunately, circumstances didn’t allow her to enter medical school.
After finishing high school in Ontario, she enrolled at university in Ottawa, earning a teaching degree over seven years. With that qualification, she and her sister moved to North Dakota, where she got a teaching position.
Early Career
Louise immersed herself in her job and concurrently became an organizer for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The essence of WCTU was to protect the home from harmful influences and improve the lives of women. An essential aim was winning women the right to vote.
The First Church
In 1903, Louise returned to Canada to farm in the village of Claresholm, later part of Alberta. She resolved to build the village’s first church and to start a local WCTU branch. She also founded WCTU branches across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Louise did more than just arrange WCTU events – she became a popular speaker who regularly addressed the harm alcohol caused women’s health, while urging women to defend their families and gain the right to vote in federal elections.
Rising swiftly through the ranks, in 1908 she became WCTU president. Louise wrote numerous pamphlets appealing to Alberta’s schoolteachers and premiers to highlight the dangers of alcohol and tobacco for women.
As WCTU President in Alberta, she traveled extensively, speaking to diverse audiences throughout Canada, the U.S., England, and across Europe.
At an October 1911 WCTU convention, Louise McKinney called for women’s suffrage. On April 19, 1916, Alberta women won the right to vote in elections and run for seats in the provincial government.
The First Woman Elected to a Canadian Legislature
In 1917, the Alberta Legislature held elections, and Louise’s name appeared on the ballot. She stood as a candidate of the Non-Partisan League. She became the first woman in the British Empire to serve in a legislative assembly.
Now a formally recognized member of the provincial parliament, Louise broadened her agenda to include issues important to women: welfare, safeguarding women’s property rights, and more.
A Church Preacher
Louise was also deeply involved in her local church. She was licensed as a lay preacher, supervised Sunday school, and led the church’s Women’s Missionary Society.
Her belief in women’s individuality was paramount. As a lay preacher, she advocated for women to be ordained in the Methodist Church, and later the United Church.
In 1925, the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches merged to form the United Church of Canada. Louise was among four women to sign the agreement bringing about this religious union.
Later, Louise McKinney became Vice President of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire. In 1931, she was chosen as President of the Dominion WCTU. Then, in June of that year, she was made First Vice President of the World Women’s Christian Temperance Union at its Toronto convention. Although Louise continued her tireless service until her death on July 10, 1931, her time as Vice President was short-lived, as she passed away soon after her appointment.