Our History

Packaging Room at the Women’s Canadian Club, 1918.

Over a Century of History

For more than a century, the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club has been celebrating Canadian heritage, attracting impressive speakers, and contributing to society through war efforts and a student scholarship program. We are proud to share the highlights of our incredible history with you.

The OWCC has attracted speakers who are leaders in their field in Canada and internationally. Some include: Governors General and/or their spouses, provincial premiers, heads of foreign states, Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of Parliament and Senators, ambassadors, astronauts, olympians, military experts, university professors, fashion designers, doctors/nurses, scientists, financial advisors, musicians, choral groups, radio and television personalities, Indigenous historians, authors, chefs, hostages, florists, photographers and explorers.

Moments in Time

1893

The Canadian Club

The Canadian Club movement began in Canada in 1893 but only men could become members. Women had no seat at the table to make a difference in their community, their country, and their world.

January 17, 1910

It All Began In 1910

On January 17, 1910, a group of thirty women formed the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club. A membership fee of $1.00 was set and the first public meeting took place on December 3, 1910, in the Assembly Hall of the Collegiate Institute.

October 19, 1912

The First Event At The Château Laurier

Four months after the official opening of the Château Laurier Hotel, the OWCC held its first event on October 19, 1912, and the hotel was home to the OWCC for 110 years. A bronze plaque marking our 100-year relationship with the hotel is proudly featured in the hotel’s main corridor.

early 1900s

Our Coat Of Arms

We share our Coat of Arms with other Women’s Canadian Clubs.

April 18, 1914

Speaker - Professor Carrie Derick

Carrie Derick, of McGill University, was the first female full professor at any Canadian university.

She was made Professor of Comparative Morphology and Genetics in 1912. Her active leadership in this field, as well as in the Local and National Councils of Women, with particular attention to social reform, continued until her death in 1941.

WWI & WWII

The War Years

Patriotic committees were formed to support war efforts. Activities included: receiving, sorting and baling of food; collecting clothing and hospital supplies; fundraising; sewing garments; ‘adopting’ of children and some widowed mothers; sending Christmas parcels and stockings along with magazine and book collections for soldiers; purchase of ambulances; letter writing.

In appreciation of our special relief efforts, the King of Belgium decorated three members of the Club for work in assisting his country.

1914-1918

WWI Committees

Belgian Relief
Serbian Relief
Red Cross & French War Relief
Polish, Palestine & Armenian Relief
Soldiers & Sailors Comforts
Prisoners of War
The House & Tea Committee
Packing Committee
Desk Committee

Funds Raised:

$279,257.02 (equivalent to $6M in 2020)

1919

Support For Higher Education

It was also during the war years (1919) that the Club established the first of many scholarships. Money donated by Club members from several WWI projects was given to Queen’s University in Kingston specifically for a returning prisoner of war, or a veteran of the war or their descendants.

Today, 3 universities and 1 College manage over 1.5 million dollars in bursaries and scholarships on behalf of the OWCC.

1939-1945

WWII Committees

Capital Tea & Lunch Committee
Soldiers & sailors’ Comforts/War Charities
Knitting Committee
Cigarette Committee
Packing Committee
Office Committee
Magazine Committee

Funds Raised:

$68,975.33 (equivalent to $1M in 2020)

September 17, 1941

The Prime Minister of Canada

The Rt. Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King addressed a joint meeting with the Canadian Clubs of Ottawa. He discussed, "Unity at Home if we are to Succeed Abroad".

1945 - Present

Post War Era

By this time, membership numbers were soaring (approx. 2,000) and attendance at luncheons averaged 550 women. Wives of the heads of diplomatic missions in Ottawa were honorary members and many showed great interest in the Club luncheons and other events. There were many special events over the years that drew up to 1,000 attendees for a meeting, a luncheon, or a dinner. Some of these events were hosted jointly by the Men’s and Women’s Canadian Clubs.

December 1, 1960

50th Anniversary of the
Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club

Their Excellencies the Governor General, Georges Vanier, and Madame Vanier were present. His Excellency brought greetings and Madame Vanier cut the birthday cake. The President, Mrs. Booth, reviewed the history of the Club and welcomed several ladies whose membership had been continuous from 1918 to 1960. The head table included past presidents, wives of diplomatic missions and wives of cabinet ministers.

1976

A Surprise Address

The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, requested an urgent meeting to address the members of both the Canadian Club of Ottawa and the Ottawa Women's Canadian Club. The event was organized within a week and 750 attendees gathered to listen to Mr. Trudeau talk about the Canadian economy; hoping to ease anxiety with regard to the direction on the economy taken by the Liberal Government.

1980s

Diversification Of Activities

In the 1980s, the men’s only Canadian Clubs opened membership to women, however, the women of our Club chose to remain with the OWCC. In fact, a new activity for the Club began to flourish – tours! In 1989/90 alone, ten escorted tours were organized for Club members and their guests.

March 25, 1982

The Château Laurier Ballroom Became A Court Of Canadian Citizenship

Yvonne Kerr, Citizenship Judge, presented 51 members of the OWCC with certificates of Canadian citizenship. The accession to Canadian citizenship was a source of great pride for our devoted members. Judge Kerr highlighted the reasons to become a Canadian Citizen.

October 14, 1987

Speaker - Dr. Robert Thirsk

The Canadian Astronaut talked about space medicine. Robert Thirsk has an impressive résumé:

a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
from Calgary University
a Master's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's of Business Administration from M.I.T.
Doctor of Medicine from McGill University.

He would become the first Canadian to spend 6 months in the International Space Station.

2019

The Teresa Elizabeth Memorial Bursary

In 2019, the Teresa Elizabeth Smith Memorial Bursary was established at Carleton University from a generous donation bequeathed to the OWCC from Teresa Elizabeth Smith.

2020

A Global Pandemic

On March 11th 2020, the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic. This resulted in the temporary cessation of luncheons. The pause in regular Club activities enabled the Board of Directors, working behind the scenes, to reimagine how to emerge on the other side of the pandemic more viable and innovative. Zoom events were inaugurated from January 21,2021 to September 15, 2022

2022/2023

Post Pandemic

After 110 years at the Chateau Laurier Hotel, post pandemic, it became necessary to find a new venue for the OWCC luncheons. On October 18, 2022 the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club became our new home.

In the Spring of 2023, Algonquin College was added to the list of OWCC bursaries.

The first Summer Social and Book Exchange was held on June 21, 2023.

Tomorrow

The Future - Today & Beyond

Globalization, technology and innovation are changing the way we live and communicate in the 21st century. Inspired by the women who came before us, we will be brave in the face of a changing world.

We will continue to make a difference in our community, in our country and in our world. Inspired by the women who came before us, we will be brave in the face of a changing world.

We will adapt. We will adjust. We will evolve.

An in-depth account of the OWCC's History
by author, Rowena Cooper

Rowena Cooper moved to the Ottawa area in 2005 and was introduced to the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club by her sister-in-law and OWCC Past President, Ruth Cooper. Prior to moving to Eastern Ontario Rowena worked as a professional Archivist and historical researcher, she also completed a two year contract with the City of Brampton as the Sesquicentennial Historian, producing an interactive CD-rom that is used in all elementary schools in Brampton. An active volunteer in the heritage field in Ontario she is a former president of The Ontario Historical Society which serves as the ‘umbrella’ for all historical societies in the Province of Ontario. She served as President of the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club from 2012-2014.

Discover the complete history of the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club,
the Club’s book is now for sale.