LETTERS OF SUPPORT

LETTERS TO THE COMMITTEE: The women who wrote to the Committee in support of its cause and why

When women signed their names to the petition of the Women’s Emergency Committee many did so while also writing letters of support to the committee. Thanks to the Judith Robinson Fonds at McMaster we have access to these letters which provide a unique insight into the personal motivations behind why women chose to sign these petitions. The Committee received letters thanking them for acting on these issues and highlighting why they believed it was important. Many women wrote to the committee that they were grateful for this cause as they had loved ones away in war or who had fought in the first world war years prior. These women were appalled by the Canadian government's treatment of these soldiers and demanded action be taken. Women like Lilian Hodges took issue with how the Canadian government “could find money for all the training centers, & equipment needed for war; are so callous of what happens to our boys when they return.” (19) Other Canadian women like Lena Stallword wrote in thanks to the committee and that “It certainly takes women to arouse public opinion.” (20) This kind of sentiment is one that many women who wrote to the committee shared as they saw this issue as a female-driven one. These letters that came from across the country all evidence how women were able to empower themselves despite living in a patriarchal society. Like Ethel Chapman, many women across the country knew that it would take a women’s group to achieve their goals and were “delighted to see a women’s committee, headed by a woman doctor, attacking a situation like this.” (21)

Read the Letters They Wrote

WOMEN’S SUPPORT: Words of encouragement and thanks and thanks from women across the country

Letter from Ethel Chapman

Dear Dr. Reid:

More power to you! I am delighted to see a women’s committee, headed by a woman doctor, attacking a situation like this.

Ethel Chapman

Letter from Katherine A. Daly

August 10/44

Dear Dr. Reid,

I am enclosing a petition form sent me by Judith Robinson. I don’t know how we even managed to fill it with all the apathy, suspicion, defeatism, and preoccupation that prevails! Wishing you all success.

Very sincerely yours,
Katherine A. Daly

Letter from Lilian Hodges

To Women’s Emergency Committee,
City Hall,
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Madame,
I am so glad to read through “the Globe & Mail,” of the very great effort you are making for decent hospitalisation for our wounded boys. It is disgusting to say the least, to think of the Government, who could find money for all the training centres, & equipment needed for war; are so callous of what happens to our boys when they return. It’s high time we had a change of that is all they can do is promise. I have a son in Italy attached to the R. O. F. I would hate to think of him returning wounded, having to stay in such surroundings as Christie St. Hospital. Wishing you success in your great effort.

Yours sincerely,
(Mm) Lilian Hodges

Letter from K. A. Howard-Surrey

Minett Post Office
Muskoka Ontario
Aug 29 1944

Dr. Minerva Reid
125 Annette St
Toronto

Dear Madam,

Please find enclosed two lists of names & your petition. I must apologize for the messy condition of one. The wind wind ripped it out of my hand and flew it into the water. A girl dived in and recused it; otherwise it would have been Love’s Labour a Total Loss!

The shorter list you will notice is all men’s names. They were all so enthusiastic I had not the heart to refuse; and I thought perhaps you could use them as additional bolstering, or perhaps in a supplementary campaign.

We are all so glad you are taking up the matter and hope you will carry it through to a triumphant conclusion. I feel so pleased and honoured that you have asked me to help.

I think the real root of the scandal is the cowardice of the Doctors and Nurses. It was and is their plain duty to get together and unitedly protest. It is pure eyewash to say they could do any good work under those conditions. Why the conspiracy to whitewash them? The facts prove them to be rotten every last one.

Yours faithfully
(Mm) K. A. Howard-Surrey

Letter from Helen Kyle

August 18th 1944

Dear Dr. Reid,

I hope this will be of some help to you in your wonderful undertaking. I’m sure if you could have heard the fine things all these people said about what you are doing you would feel your efforts were not in vain. Wishing you success and hoping you receive all the cooperation possible, I am

Yours sincerely,
Helen Kyle

Letter from (Mrs) George E. Ricketts Jr.

365 Millwood Rd. Toronto Ontario

Sept 14/44

Dear Madam:

I am very glad that I can in some way, help to hasten the new hospital improvements. Last summer, my brother was ill in Christie Street Hospital and I was disgusted with the conditions I witnessed there at that time. Keep on with your woodwork my letters to my husband in Italy will be much more hopeful and cheerful when I can tell him of the unselfishness on your part to help him and all the other boys.

Yours very sincerely
A war-worker
(Mrs) George E. Ricketts Jr.

Letter from Lena Stallword

Beamsville Ontario
Sept 18, 1944

Dear Friends

I am very glad to sign the petition on behalf of our boys. As address secretary of the Beamsville, Clinton + South War Services Committee I am vitally interested in the care our boys will receive if they return from overseas. On the two occasions we visited Christie St Hospital this summer, we came away sick at heart to think that our boys were being housed in such surroundings. More power to you women. It certainly takes women to arouse public opinion and the Globe + Mail have done a marvellous publicity job.

Yours very sincerely
Lena Stallword

Letter from Anna Wilson

Toronto Sept 18th 44

Women’s Emergency Committee
City Hall

Both my daughter and I are very happy to sign an enclosed petition. Having one son returned from overseas and two others serving in France, I feel that your efforts are to be highly commended.

Sincerely yours
Anna Wilson