Out of the Shadows: Women's Adult Education Leadership in Canada

Abstract

In Unearthing Canada's Hidden Past: A Short History of Adult Education Michael Welton (2013 p. x) argues that 'Canada has one of the most illustrious, experimental and innovative traditions of adult education in the world' and further notes that Canadians remain relatively unaware of this history.' (p. xv). Women's contributions remain even more invisible compared with what can be called the 'single story' of Canadian adult education in which particular men figure prominently. Women have, throughout the history of Canadian adult education, been involved with creating new organizations and institutions, providing formal and formal spaces for adult learning, and taking the lead within social movements fighting for social justice, particularly for women's rights. This article aims to highlight some of their efforts. The first part focuses on women's work within social movements. The second part of the chapter focuses on women's leadership in the creation of feminist organizations and spaces within formal institutions, particularly their role in the creation of equality seeking organizations, organizations that were (and are) key sites of adult education, particularly the development of women's critical consciousness about their rights and ways of organizing and demanding social justice.