Nancy Hodges

Nancy Hodges (October 28, 1888 – December 15, 1969) was a Canadian journalist and politician. Over her career, she served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and as a member of the Senate of Canada. She was the first woman in the Commonwealth of Nations to become Speaker, and was known as a powerful women's rights activist in the Commonwealth.^[1]

Personal life

Born in

Hodges was re-elected in 1945 and 1949. She attended a public meeting conference for the United Nations in 1945 for International Peace in San Francisco.^[5] In this meeting, the Charter of the United Nations was first signed.^[7] In 1947, she attacked the Coalition government for laying off single women to provide jobs for returning veterans, and threatened to campaign for pensions for women at 40 if the practice continued. The firing of women stopped.^[6] During this time, Hodges advocated for women to be eligible for worker's compensation benefits, and for married women to receive property rights.^[8]

When John Hart stepped down in 1947, Hodges supported Boss Johnson as his successor, nominating him in a passionate speech at the convention; Johnson won by eight votes.^[9] Following his victory, there was speculation among the press that Hodges would receive a cabinet post as a reward, but Hodges quashed rumours, and said she would not accept a cabinet post.^[10] In 1950, she was elected as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, becoming the first woman in the Commonwealth of Nations to hold that office.^[11] During her time as Speaker, Hodges toured North America, including visits to The Californian Business and Professional Women's Club, The Canadian Federation of Liberal Women, and The Women's Canadian Club in Ottawa.^[3] In July 1950, Hodges was invited to The Halifax Convention of the Federation of Canadian Business and Professional Women's Clubs where she was named Canadian Woman of 1950.^[3]

Hodges was defeated in the 1953 election by the Social Credit candidate, Lydia Arsens. Shortly after, in 1953, she was appointed to the Senate of Canadarepresenting the senatorial division of Victoria, British Columbia, and served until her resignation in 1965.^[8] Increase in salary for underpaid government workers, teachers, and mothers were among the causes she took up as a senator.^[2] She later became the President of the National Association of Liberal Women.^[2] During her time as a senator, Hodges was a member of numerous committees, including the Standing Committee on Immigration and Labour, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy and Contingent Accounts, and the Standing Committee on Divorce.^[12] Along with being a member of Senate committees, she was also a member of various Joint Committees including those of Restaurant and Parliament, and Capital and Corporal Punishment and Lotteries.^[12]

References