Socialist Feminism in Canada: A Brief History

Anti-Capitalism, Socialist Feminist Anti-Capitalism, Socialist Feminist andand

the Women’s Liberation Movement the Women’s Liberation Movement

Challenging Neoliberalism Challenging Neoliberalism

in the 2010sin the 2010s

No Women's Liberation Without Socialism.

No Socialiam Without Women's Liberation.

Canadian Labour Force Participation RatesAll Men, All Women, Married Women

1961

All Men: 81.1% All Women: 24.4% All Married Women: 20.7%

Women were 29.6% of the total labour force.

Women earned 55% of what men earned.

Statistics Canada: Historical Labour Force Statistics cat.no. 71-201, 1995

1964 USA 1964 USA Ruby Doris Smith Robinson presented Ruby Doris Smith Robinson presented "The Position of Women in SNCC," "The Position of Women in SNCC," denouncing the treatment of women denouncing the treatment of women civil rights workers in civil rights workers in The Student Nonviolent Co-ordinating The Student Nonviolent Co-ordinating

Committee. Committee.

Stokely Carmichael responded, Stokely Carmichael responded, "The only position for women in SNCC is prone." "The only position for women in SNCC is prone."

"There seems to be an almost suicidal urge for militant feminists to abandon all make-up,

to wear square heels, to deny the joys of flirtation so that a very attractive young female feels compelled to argue that she cannot accept a corsage because it

somehow degrades her as a "person". Such a corsage does not deny a woman's capabilities.

It merely accepts and asserts the glorious, inescapable fact – a fact that the truly successful women does not try to escape –

that off the job at least, there is nothing like a dame. Equality, yes - unisex no." The Vancouver Sun 31 October 1969

Editorial response to a demonstration (24 October 1969) at the Vancouver Manpower Office, protesting job segregation and unequal pay.

The RCMP opened the file "Women's The RCMP opened the file "Women's Liberation Groups — Canada" on May Liberation Groups — Canada" on May 13, 1969.13, 1969.

The file identifies Singer Rita McNeil, a The file identifies Singer Rita McNeil, a member of the Toronto Women's member of the Toronto Women's Caucus asCaucus as

"She's the one who composes and sings "She's the one who composes and sings women's lib songs,"women's lib songs,"

Rita McNeilRita McNeil