Wonder Women of Calgary – accelerating the future of Women

Did you know that Calgary has been home to some incredible women who made history? Let's curl up and hear some of their amazing stories!

The Brave Annie Gale:

A long time ago, there was a woman named Annie who wanted to help make her city a better place. Back then, it was really unusual for women to be leaders, but Annie didn’t let that stop her! In 1917, she became one of the first women ever elected to a city council in Canada. Annie served as an Alderman on Calgary's City Council from 1918 to 1924, and worked hard to make sure families had good food and homes, and she showed everyone that girls could be amazing leaders, too!

Helen, The Rock Detective:

Helen Belyea loved exploring rocks and discovering stories hidden inside them. She spent years studying the rocks of Alberta, helping people understand the Earth better. Because of Helen, we know more about where we live and the special treasures hidden underground. She was even given a special award called the Order of Canada for her amazing discoveries!

Evelyn's Magical Bookstore:

Evelyn de Mille loved books so much she decided to open her very own bookstore in Calgary in 1956. Evelyn broke new ground by becoming the first woman in Calgary to own a stand-alone bookstore. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a bookstore chain in 1974, and she served as the first female president of the Canadian Booksellers Association in 1972.

Doreen, Champion for All People:

Born in the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Doreen Spence has dedicated her life to advocating for Indigenous rights. As one of the first Indigenous women to obtain a Practical Nursing Certificate in 1959, she combined her medical career with activism. Spence played a crucial role in drafting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007, and continues to be a guiding force in promoting cultural understanding and reconciliation.

Natalie, Space Explorer:

Calgary-born Natalie Panek grew up dreaming about exploring outer space. She is making significant strides in aerospace engineering. With a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary, Natalie has worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and currently contributes to space exploration projects at MDA. Her work includes developing the chassis and locomotion systems for the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover. Beyond her technical achievements, Panek is a passionate advocate for women in STEM fields, inspiring the next generation of female engineers and scientists.

Calgary is lucky to have had these amazing women show us that we can all do incredible things, no matter who we are or where we come from.