Flannel Shirt and Liberty: British Emigrant Gentlewomen in the Canadian West, 1880-1914

By Susan Jackel

The plight of educated single women without means was a major socialissue in Britain at the turn of the century. Since there were a millionmore women than men, the future of a genteel spinster was far fromsecure. Marriage was a financial matter -- a business essential to hereconomic and social status, and the penalties for 'failure inbusiness' were severe. Emigration to the colonies offered a wayout, and no place advertised more energetically for these'redundant' women than the Canadian West. This collection of articles and extracts from books and periodicalsdescribes in detail the opportunities in Western Canada for Britishwomen emigrants. By 1900 there was a great demand both for wives andfor workers in a variety of occupations. 'Women Wanted' was themessage conveyed by Canadian officials, journalists, andpublic-spirited women who travelled across Canada and reported on theirfindings. Emigration societies, training schools, welcoming hostels, andimmigration authorities all assisted in the transfer to Canada of theadventurous gentlewomen who responded to the challenge. Life in thenewly settled West was seldom easy for them. To some it was a life ofunaccustomed drudgery, loneliness, and prejudice. But others rejoicedin the wild prairie spaces and discovered a new sense of independenceand self-worth. Moira O'Neill writes: 'I like both the work andthe play here, the time out of doors and the time for coming home. Ilike the summer and the winter, the monotony and the change. Besides Ilike a flannel shirt and liberty.'

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0774801492
• ISBN13: 9780774801492
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: University of British Columbia Press
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.