Isabel Atkinson
Encyclopedia
Isabel Atkinson was an English
born Canadian
women's rights activist
, sociologist and philanthropist
who became president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada
.
Atkinson was born in Bramley
, England
on July 22, 1891. After her father's death, she emigrated with her mother and brother to Waterbury, Connecticut
in the United States
. Aged 14, she worked in a factory, and the conditions there propelled her to campaign for women's rights. In 1914 she moved to Saskatchewan
to live on her brother's farm in Strasbourg, working as a farm hand and in 1919 she relocated to Kerrobert, Saskatchewan
where she lived for some 25 years with her mother. Working as a librarian
over this time she acquired an avid interest in social studies
, particularly concerned with housing for the poor and the condition of public health
. Four years after her mother's death she moved to Saskatoon
where she was able to publish her social concerns, in newspapers such as the Star-Phoenix and the Winnipeg Free Press
which went on to print her extracts in pamphlets.
In 1954 there in Saskatoon she became the Saskatchewan president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada
(CAC), later becoming the Canadian leader from 1956 to 1960.
In the 1960s she continued to research into social issues and was active in the Saskatoon Council of Women before her death on August 11, 1968 .
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
born Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
women's rights activist
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
, sociologist and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who became president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada
Consumers’ Association of Canada
The Consumers’ Association of Canada founded in 1947 is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-based, Canadian charitable organization. Based nationally in Ottawa with regional branches in Montreal, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Vancouver, the organization focuses on the social problems of food...
.
Atkinson was born in Bramley
Bramley
- Places :England* Bramley, Derbyshire* Bramley, Hampshire* Bramley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire* Bramley, Sheffield, South Yorkshire* Bramley, Surrey* Bramley, West Yorkshire**Bramley Buffaloes rugby league clubSouth Africa* Bramley, Gauteng- Other uses :...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on July 22, 1891. After her father's death, she emigrated with her mother and brother to Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Aged 14, she worked in a factory, and the conditions there propelled her to campaign for women's rights. In 1914 she moved to Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
to live on her brother's farm in Strasbourg, working as a farm hand and in 1919 she relocated to Kerrobert, Saskatchewan
Kerrobert, Saskatchewan
Kerrobert is a town in west central Saskatchewan. Incorporated in 1910, its 2007 population was 1,011. This quaint small town is home of the Kerrobert Tigers. The town is known for its large water tower, clearly visible from 15 kilometres away....
where she lived for some 25 years with her mother. Working as a librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
over this time she acquired an avid interest in social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
, particularly concerned with housing for the poor and the condition of public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
. Four years after her mother's death she moved to Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
where she was able to publish her social concerns, in newspapers such as the Star-Phoenix and the Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Free Press
The Winnipeg Free Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded in 1872, as the Manitoba Free Press, it is the oldest newspaper in western Canada. It is the newspaper with the largest readership in the province....
which went on to print her extracts in pamphlets.
In 1954 there in Saskatoon she became the Saskatchewan president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada
Consumers’ Association of Canada
The Consumers’ Association of Canada founded in 1947 is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-based, Canadian charitable organization. Based nationally in Ottawa with regional branches in Montreal, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Vancouver, the organization focuses on the social problems of food...
(CAC), later becoming the Canadian leader from 1956 to 1960.
In the 1960s she continued to research into social issues and was active in the Saskatoon Council of Women before her death on August 11, 1968 .