The Feminism of Mary Ellen Spear Smith

Patrice Dutil talks to Veronica Strong-Boag about her book A Liberal-Labour Lady: The Times and Life of Mary Ellen Spear Smith (UBC Press). Together, they examine the life and ideas of Spear-Smith (1861-1933) and her impact on British Columbia politics. Mary Ellen Spear Smith emigrated from Britain in the early 1890s and soon established herself, along with her husband Ralph Smith, on the British Columbia political scene. Following Ralph’s death in 1917, she ran for his seat in the British Columbia legislature and won it for the Liberal Paryt. She had an immediate impact, but soon grew exasperated by party affairs. This podcast was produced by Jessica Schmidt. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: https://bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.