Visitor Centre

2016 Past Exhibition Archive

Voices for the Vote

June 6 to August 14

Free, non-ticketed event

In 1916 the three Prairie Provinces became the first in Canada to grant many women the right to vote in provincial elections. In the east the struggle continued for well over 20 years. What was unique about the prairies in 1916?

The current exhibition at the Borealis Gallery, located in the Edmonton Federal Building, explores how the places, people and culture of the prairies (and Alberta specifically) combined to create an atmosphere where women's suffrage campaigns could succeed.

Voices for the Vote features maps of Alberta, Edmonton and Calgary along with archival documents, photographs and oral histories that help situate the social and economic conditions that created an atmosphere in which women's suffrage could succeed in 1916. The exhibition also includes contemporary artwork by Alberta artists, created in response to the anniversary of women's suffrage, work that addresses women's rights today and work that encourages visitors to reflect on the current status of women in Alberta.

Groups of 10 or more, please contact: 780.427.7362.


Media inquiries: Danielle Antoniuk, Communications
Legislative Assembly of Alberta | 780.643.2252 |

Media

News Release

Media Kit

Exhibit Button (Gold)

Exhibit Button (Black)

Exhibit Poster

Past

Public Programming

jun 23 6 p.m.

Suffragism, Activism, Feminism

Pehonan Theatre, Main Floor, Edmonton Federal Building
 Film Screening: She's Beautiful When She's Angry

The film She's Beautiful When She's Angry is the buried history of the outrageous, often brilliant women who founded the modern women's movement from 1966 to 1971. Artfully combining dramatizations, performance and archival imagery, the film recounts the stories of women who fought for their own equality and in the process created a world-wide revolution. Running time: 1 hour and 32 minutes. View the trailer.

jul 07 6 p.m.

Curating Suffrage

Capital View Room, 2nd Floor, Edmonton Federal Building
 A Curatorial Lecture

Join us for a panel discussion about suffragists, perspective, and the challenge of telling women's stories through objects and design. With guests from Paper Leaf (exhibit graphic designers), Barbara L. Hilden (exhibits coordinator, LAO), Heather Kerr (curator, City of Edmonton), and Marlena Wyman (exhibit artist).

jul 23 1 p.m.

Stories of Suffrage

Main Floor Lobby, Edmonton Federal Building
 Storytellers Mary Hays and Doreen Vanderstoop

"MARY SCOT WIDNER – EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF AN ORDINARY WOMAN" Mary Hays tells the story of her grandmother, Mary Scot Widner. It is an extraordinary story of immigration to Alberta, of love and marriage, of life and death and of rising above every obstacle to live a life of grace and success. Doreen Vanderstoop weaves the tapestry of the story together with period music and song.

aug 04 6 p.m.

Dishing it Out: Artists Talk

Capital View Room, 2nd Floor, Edmonton Federal Building
 Exhibit Artists Sarah Amato and Monique McFarlane

Join these two artists from the exhibition in a discussion about the evolution of voting rights in Alberta after 1916. As part of the evening, the artists will invite attendees to re-enact a story told about the women's suffrage movement in Alberta by washing dishes on the steps of the Legislature as a form of participatory art.

Past

Events

Suffrage Rally Re-enactment

Alberta Legislature - Front Steps

In 1914 a large delegation convened to petition the province and Premier Sifton for women's right to vote. Together with partner museums such as Fort Edmonton Park, John Walter Museum and Rutherford House, a re-enactment of the 1914 suffrage rally will be held on the front steps of the Alberta Legislature Building.

Join costumed heritage interpreters from partner museums such as Fort Edmonton Park John Walter Museum and Rutherford House as they perform the roles of Premier Sifton and the delegation that petitioned the province of Alberta for women's right to vote.

Schedule

5:15 p.m. - Meet at Capital Plaza 9820-107 St (West Entrance) Members of the public are invited to join the march – costumes optional!

5:30 p.m. - March to the Alberta Legislature Front Steps

6:00 p.m. - Re-enactment Rally concludes.

Following the March, check out the exhibition! Voices for the Vote is open until 8 p.m.

Our Partners

LAO Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre
Edmonton Federal Building | Main floor | 9820-107 Street
Visitor Services | P: 780.427.7362 | TF: 310.0000
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