Rebel Women: Achievements Beyond the Ordinary

by Linda Kupecek

The women in these stories did the unthinkable for their they followed their own paths, flouting convention and daring to break from the traditions of family and marriage. They chose a life outside the norm, a decision for which most paid dearly. Nell Shipman was overlooked because she was not as acquiescent as required; she opened an independent production company just when the major Hollywood studios began exerting their power. Isobel Gunn, once revealed to be a woman, lost her livelihood and her respectability. And almost everyone scorned Mother Caroline Fulham. In Rebel Women , youll discover women who faced conflict, adversity and doubt to follow their dreams.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A title in the Amazing Stories series of books, this collection of portraits of 'rebel women' fits right in with its clear prose, funny anecdotes, and, yes, amazing stories lifted from the lives of some pretty incredible ladies. I particularly appreciated the mentions of silent film actress and writer/director Nell Shipman, as well as Katherine Stinson, who was responsible for the first air mail delivery here in Edmonton. Isobel Gunn was also a fascinating figure and kudos to the author, Linda Kupacek, for the historical digging that went into uncovering her story (as well as the stories of the other women). This is a great way to inspire new generations of women growing up in Canada's West - and around the world - and an enjoyable way to learn some history while you're at it!

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading stories about people who follow their own path to happiness, without listening to the noise and pressure of those around them. This collection of biographical sketche focuses on eight women from the Western Canada region who forged their own course through life - woe betide anyone who got in their way:
1. Nell Shipman: pioneering filmmaker who wrote and starred in her own movie, Back to God's Country. Her affinity with wild animals was captured onscreen.
2. Georgina Binnie-Clark came to Canada as an English gentlewoman to visit her brother who was homesteading. He was making a mess of it, so she took over and made the farm successful. She didn't get the financial benefits that the men did, so she had to buy her own land with her own money. She fought for equality for women homesteaders.
3. Isobel Gunn posed as a man to follow her lover to Canada and work as a fur trader for the Hudson Bay Company. Despite her success, when she was discovered to be a woman they reassigned her to sweeping floors.
4. Caroline Fulham was my personal favourite - an Irish force of nature whose antics made her a locally known character. More power to her!!
5. Georgia Engelhard was a woman of privilege who became a mountain climber and an artist. She was taught by Georgia O'Keeffe who was her aunt by marriage. She also had an interest in photography, supported by her uncle Alfred Stieglitz.
6. Katherine Stinson was an early pilot who barnstormed across Canada.
7. Mary Percy Jackon was a doctor who served patients in the tough homesteading land of Northern Alberta
8. Winnifred Eaton was a novelist and screenwriter whose popularity was affirmed by a 200,000 print run of one of her novels in 1901!
All the women were inspirational. I was surprised and disappointed that I had not heard of most of the women prior to reading this book. They should be celebrated regularly as our foremothers.

[Taveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about  pioneering women in Canada (most having a Calgary or Northern Alberta connection) in the last two hundred years that were unique.

The writing is a bit choppy in some chapters, seemed like a bunch of sentences thrown together. Still the biographies provide an admiration for wat these women accomplished on their own terms.

One woman was a silent film star, another a pig raiser, another a doctor, one a mountain climber, one a farmer, one a trapper, another a pilot, another a rodeo queen, each independent types.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned that its important just to be ourselves, no matter what society wants from us. I wish the author had gone deeper into the women's lives.

[Avery Follett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cool to learn about some influential women from Alberta! I really enjoy reading about Southern Albertan history.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some truly amazing women. Blazing their own trails, 100 plus years ago.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed that the majority of the bios were about American women, not Canadians.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

History and Biography of Canadian Pioneer Women