Historic trailblazers remembered atAnnandale NHS event

The winning Trailblazers trivia team: (from left) Barb MacKinnon, Shelley McKechnie, Marilyn Avent, Carolyn Bilbie, and Holly Hanson. With the group of four teachers and a member of the Historical Society, the odds were in their favour. The deserving winners took home the cyclamen centerpieces from each table. (Robin Krafft Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

Annandale NHS celebrated International Women's Day early, on March 5, with a Trailblazers Tea, recognizing the contributions of Canadian women. Thanks to their courage, persistence and perseverance, doors are open for Canadian women to walk through in all sectors.

“The theme for the event was selected by Kathleen Watkin, Culture and Heritage Programs Coordinator at ANHS, who also planned the program,” Kate Bakos, Cultural Heritage Manager/Curator said. “Kathleen chose the Trailblazer theme to mark International Women’s Day and to highlight the many Canadian women, past and present, whose contributions have helped shape and strengthen our country.”

The lively event included a social time to enjoy conversation over coffee and a variety of teas, served by Kate Bakos, Kathleen Watkin, and Quinlan Fletcher. Guests sampled fresh fruit, croissants with butter and jam, and an array of decadent desserts. Gluten and dairy free options were also provided.

Each table of guests formed teams to compete in a round of trivia questions, prepared by Watkin, to name iconic Canadian women in categories such as politics, sports, arts, entertainment, heroic figures and local legends.

There have been many interesting and infamous Oxford County women who paved the way for others to follow. While some of the names and accomplishments were familiar, others were surprising.

The first female physician to practice medicine in Ontario, Emily Stowe, (1831-1903) was born into a farming family in Norwich Township. She founded the Canadian Women's Suffrage Association and was also the first female principal of a public school in Upper Canada. After her application to the Toronto School of Medicine was denied, Stowe trained in New York and returned to Ontario before going into practice. In 1883, Dr. Stowe founded the Women's Medical College.

Evangelist Aimee McPherson (1890-1944) was born in Salford. She pioneered the use of the radio for religious services, starting the first Christian radio station and becoming a media celebrity and founder of the Foursquare Church. Her sermons and the donations that poured in enabled the construction of a megachurch in Los Angeles in 1923.

Guests also celebrated Nancy Barker Tillson, the founding matriarch of Tillsonburg. When she arrived in Canada in 1822 with her husband, George Tillson, pioneer life wasn't easy. The mother of nine "played a significant role in transforming Dereham Forge (now Tillsonburg) from a remote forest settlement into a thriving mill and factory town." (ANHS)

Many more local trailblazing women were acknowledged, from Tillsonburg's first female mayor, Jean Ferrie, to Hulda Randall Hoover, whose son Herbert became the 31st president of the United States.

“The feedback we received was very positive,” Bakos said. “Guests shared that they enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and company. They also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the accomplishments of women in Canadian history while celebrating International Women’s Day together. One guest even asked for a copy of Kathleen’s pub quiz to test her husband on!”