Designed for Victory: Women, War & The Vote

DESIGNED FOR VICTORY: WOMEN, WAR & THE VOTE

Temporary Exhibit (Opened 26 February 2016 and will run until 17 June 2016)

In 1916, Manitoba was the first government to offer limited voting rights to women.

Although the suffrage movement had been active on the Prairies for many years, it was Canada’s entrance into the Great War and women’s full support and contributions to the war effort in their communities and their new workplaces that accelerated the process.

However, full participation in Canadian elections did not extend to all citizens until another war and subsequent cultural shifts leading up to 1960, when First Nations persons finally gained the vote. This connection between war, women and the vote is drawn together in this exhibit through the clothing of the times, influenced by wartime experiences, economic necessity and cultural expression.

The Costume Museum of Canada has specially selected clothing reflecting these times; the fight and the victory women achieved for themselves and on behalf of others in the 20th Century.

Special thanks to the following exhibit contributors:

The Costume Museum of Canada

Brandon University Student, Brooke Drummond

Brandon University Associate Professor, Dr. Rhonda Hinther

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & Women of the War Years Auxiliary

Assiniboine Community College Media Studies Students