Women in Edmonton’s History

Celebrate the achievements of women during Women's History Month. Here are five remarkable women in Edmonton’s history:

Eda Owen (1879-1957)

Provincial Agent and Weather Observer 

As the “Weather Woman of Alberta, the only woman in Canada to hold such a position, she took hourly readings and compiled reports from 140+ weather stations to submit to Headquarters of the Dominion Meteorological Society every day. Her data was used by aviators, farmers, forest rangers, and journalists across Canada and the United States. 

Beatrice Carmichael (1889–1964)

Singer, musician, teacher, musical director and promoter 

After performing with her all-women touring show, Beatrice made Edmonton her home and helped form the music scene in our city. Some of her accomplishments are:

• Playing 1st violin in the Edmonton Symphony, as well as conducting its final concert, earning the distinction of being the first woman in Canada to conduct an orchestra

• Organizing and conducting the University of Alberta Orchestra in 1923, leading to the formation of the University Philharmonic Society

• Founder and musical director Edmonton Civic Opera Society

Violet King Henry (1929–1982)

Lawyer and advocate

Graduating from the University of Alberta, Violet was the only woman in her graduating class. She was the first Black person to obtain a law degree in Alberta and the first Black female lawyer in Canada. The Violet King Henry Plaza, overlooking the Alberta Legislature, is a reminder of her legacy in Alberta breaking barriers for Black people and women across the province. Violet was honoured as the Google Doodle in 2023.

Thelma Chalifoux (1929-2017) 

Métis social justice activist and politician 

Thelma Chalifoux dedicated her life to advocating for social justice and women’s and Indigenous rights. In 1997, she became the first Indigenous woman appointed to the Senate, and after retiring, she served as Métis Elder in Residence at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She is honoured on a Canadian stamp in the Indigenous Leaders series. 

Betty Stanhope-Cole (1937-2017)

Golf pioneer with an impressive list of titles over her career, including: 

• 16x Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion

• 4x Alberta Senior Champion 

• Eastern Provinces Title

• Canadian Ladies Close Amateur Champion

• 5x represented Canada internationally 

• 40x City of Edmonton Championships

Original photo credits left to right in top image: 

Thelma Chalifoux, courtesy of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Eda Owen, courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary. 

Violet King Henry, courtesy of Evergreen and Gold Yearbook, University of Alberta, 1952.

Beatrice Carmichael, courtesy of the City of Edmonton Archives EA-10-1524.

Betty Stanhope-Cole, courtesy of the City of Edmonton Archives EA-20-270.