Artefact 4: Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture

Citation: Alexander, K. L. (2019). Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture. National Women's History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/charlotte-edith-anderson-monture

This is a picture of an Indigenous woman who’s name is Edith Anderson Monture. Indigenous women like Edith made important contributions to Canada’s history especially in the first world war. Edith was born in 1890 on the Six Nations Grand River Reserve. She tried applying to nursing schools in Ontario but was not accepted because of her race. It was also during the time that the Indian Act did not allow Indigenous people to get college degrees. So she then studied nursing in New York and became a registered nurse. During the first world war, Edith joined the U.S. Medical Corps and volunteered as a nurse and was sent to France. After the war, Edith returned to the Six Nations Reserve. She was reported to be the first Native Canadian woman to receive the right to vote in a Canadian federal election. Also she was elected honorary president of the Ohsweken Red Cross in 1939. Her story shows the sacrifices and strength of Indigenous women during the war and standing up for more education in Canada’s history.

Bibliography: Alexander, K. L. (2019). Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture. National Women's History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/charlotte-edith-anderson-monture