) Mary Dover- Army officer, Stunt Woman, Alderman and More

96) Mary Dover- Army officer, Stunt Woman, Alderman and More

When movie makers were filming His Destiny in Calgary and Banff in 1928, she was hired as a stuntwoman. In 1930 she married Melville Dover, a sales manager for Ford, and moved to India. When World War II broke out, she returned to Alberta. At the time, there were not many roles for women in the Canadian military, but Mary refused to sit back while men went off to war. She joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps as a trainer and a recruiter, making sure that the women of the corps had proper uniforms, tools, and education to support the soldiers overseas. They acted as mechanics, drivers, radio operators, canteen workers, secretaries, clerks, and other service positions, which freed men up to join the fighting. Their service was also important step in the struggle for women’s equality in Canada. After the war, Mary settled in Calgary, became an alderman, and was active in many charity organizations, including the Canadian Legion, Red Cross, and the Calgary General Hospital. She also helped to preserve many of Calgary’s historic homes and natural places, like Nose Hill Park.

By Cory Gross

97) Mary Schaffer- Fearless Mountain Climber

After Schaffer lost her husband she continued traveling to the hotel with a friend and in 1907 they decided to plan a major expedition. People told them women cannot do this trip along and they told these people they sure can. After this trip Schaffer wrote a book about what they encountered and gave a lot of credit to their tour guides. Her book “Old Indian Trail of the Canadian Rockies” was published in 1911. In her book she talked about a lake no one knew about, so the next year she went back to take more notes. Schaffer loved the Rockies so much she bought a cottage in Banff. Three years later she married her tour guide Billy Warren and they traveled together. Billy became a businessman in Banff.

By Jasmyn McCulloch

98) Morris Shumiatcher- Smithbuilt Cowboy Hat Manufacturer

Morris Shumiatcher was born in Russia, in 1893. When he was 18, he and his family moved to Canada, where he changed his last name to Smith. Eight years later, Morris borrowed $300 (about $5,000 today) and bought Calgary Hat Works, an old hat-making factory. This was the birth of Smithbilt Hats. Initially, the company focused on the local Calgary market. Later, in 1926, a partnership with the world-famous Calgary Stampede show cased local Western wear, including Morris’ hats. In twenty years, Western hats—especially wide-brimmed cowboy hats—became the focus of the company. The White Hat was originally very expensive, because Morris had to buy felt from Russia. During 1946, the White Hat became popular at the Calgary Stampede, and investors helped to lower the cost of the hat through better manufacturing methods. Now, the company is owned by Calgary businessmen associated with the Stampede.

The White Hat almost immediately became associated with Calgary. It was the unofficial costume of Calgarians, used in many Stampede Parades and at sporting events. At the 1948 Grey Cup, the crowd was filled with White Hats supporting the Calgary Stampeders. The 1940s were a great time for Calgary, as the city entered the world stage through accomplishments in many areas.

Years later, Team Canada wore Smithbilt’s White Hats at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Calgary Olympics. The White Hat has been worn by the Mayor of Calgary, and is a gift given to Calgary’s many honoured visitors. Morris Shumiatcher’s journey to success reflects the immigrant’s experience in Canada.

Anyone with determination and hard-work can create a world-famous item. Smithbilt’s White Hats are one of many significant accomplishments in Alberta’s history.

By Jack Scanlon

99) Nellie McClung- One of Canada's "Famous 5"

Nellie McClung was one of Canada’s Famous Five who worked for women’s rights. She is remembered as a fighter: to give women the vote, to allow women to be representatives in government, to let women inherit farms, and to improve working conditions. She also worked to have women declared as persons. Nellie was also a teacher, an author and a public speaker.

She was born in 1873 and even as a young girl recognized that girls had fewer rights. She wanted to know why girls could not race at the town picnic and why it was so wrong that they might show their legs if their skirts flew up. At sixteen she taught at the country school and defended her right to play football at recess with students. Even with her starched blouse and long skirt, football was not seen as a ladylike sport. In 1896 she married Robert McClung and was no longer permitted to teach but she became a mother of five and a writer. She campaigned for women’s suffrage (the right to vote). She was living in Winnipeg then, and as a member of the Political Equality League held a Mock Parliament in 1914. It was a humorous way to show women were being denied the right to vote, by creating a play where she turned the tables on men. In this play, she was the premier and men were giving reasons why they should have the vote. In 1916, Manitoba became the first Canadian province to give women the vote.

Nellie had already moved to Alberta and was campaigning there for women’s rights. She fought to get women’s suffrage in Alberta, to give wives the right to inherit their husband’s farms, and to have safe working conditions in factories. She also wanted prohibition. She believed outlawing the sale of liquor would make the family safer and happier.

As a member of the Famous Five, she petitioned the Supreme Court to have women declared “qualified persons”, so they could be appointed as senators. Her statue is with The Famous Five, both in downtown Calgary and in Ottawa on Parliament Hill.

By Debbie Nosegaard

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