Author: Terence Allan Crowley

Publisher: James Lorimer & Company

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9781550283266

"Passing years have only added new lustre to the figure of Agnes Macphail, Canada’s first woman MP. In this biography, Terry Crowley offers a heroine for our times with the depiction of Macphail the accomplished politician, the committed feminist and the complex, well-rounded witty human being. A democratic populist who emerged politically during the post-World War One farmers’ revolt, Macphail helped build the alliance that became the CCF party and ended the two major parties’ total domination of national political life. She later served the CCF as Ontario’s first woman MPP. In all her activities Macphail was an outspoken advocate of equality and human rights. She worked tirelessly to win recognition of women’s rights, to reform the nation’s penal system and to secure international peace. She pressed for controls on lobbying and for disclosure of business influences on the media. Strong convictions, openness to fresh ideas and devotion to democratic values were Macphail’s distinguishing characteristics."--Page 4 of cover.