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'''Helen Jury "Ma" Armstrong''' (1875-1947) was a Canadian human rights activist.
{{Short description|Canadian human rights activist (1875–1947)}}{{Infobox person
| name = Helen Armstrong
| birth_name = Helen Jury
| birth_date = {{birth date|1875|06|17}}
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|1947|04|18|1875|06|17}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], US
| spouse = [[George Armstrong (Manitoba politician)|George Armstrong]] ({{abbr|m.|married}} {{abbr|bef.|before}} 1906)
}}
'''Helen''' "'''Ma'''" '''Armstrong''' ({{née|'''Jury'''}}; 1875–1947) was a Canadian human rights and labour activist, who took part in the 1919 [[Winnipeg general strike]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Hayley |date=2019-10-04 |title=Helen (Ma) Armstrong |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/helen-ma-armstrong |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia}}</ref>


== Advocacy ==
== An Advocate for the Working Class Woman ==


Helen’s developed a reputation for herself as a radical activist even before the [[Winnipeg General Strike|General Strike]] in 1919. In 1917, she aided the Women’s Labor League, which helped in "union organization, political advocacy, the education of women workers on… their own rights".<ref>Paula, K., ''Looking for Mrs.Armstrong'', The Beaver, 20-26, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref> She had a strong belief in the equality of men and women and was adamant about empowering women to fight for themselves. She stated in a letter to the editor of the Telegram in 1917: "Girls have got to learn to fight as men have had to do for the right to live, and we women of the Labor League are spending all our spare time in trying to get girls to organize as the master class have done to protect their own interests.".<ref>Paula, K., ''Looking for Mrs.Armstrong'', The Beaver, 20-26, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref> In 1918, she was a leader in the "campaign for minimum-wage legislation for women in Manitoba".<ref>Paula, K., ''Looking for Mrs.Armstrong'', The Beaver, 20-26, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref>
Armstrong developed a reputation for herself as a radical activist even before the [[Winnipeg General Strike|General Strike]] in 1919. In 1917, she aided the [[Women's Labour League]], which helped in "union organization, political advocacy, the education of women workers on…their own rights."<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine|first=Paula|last= Kelly|title=Looking for Mrs. Armstrong|magazine=[[The Beaver (magazine)|The Beaver]]|pages= 20–26|date= June–July 2002|volume=82|number=3|url=https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/women/looking-for-mrs-armstrong}}</ref> She had a strong belief in the equality of men and women and was adamant about empowering women to fight for themselves. She stated in a letter to the editor of ''[[The Telegram]]'' in 1917: "Girls have got to learn to fight as men have had to do for the right to live, and we women of the Labor League are spending all our spare time in trying to get girls to organize as the master class have done to protect their own interests."<ref name="auto"/> In 1918, she was a leader in the "campaign for minimum-wage legislation for women in [[Manitoba]]."<ref name="auto"/>


During the [[First World War]], she advocated on behalf of the ‘aliens’, or those deemed to be interned enemies for opposing the conscription, as well as lobbying the government for increased pensions for soldiers' wives and children. She was imprisoned many times for her activism, along with her husband, but still continued to be an outspoken advocate for the oppressed populations of Canada throughout her time.<ref>Jones, D., [https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf "Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960"], ''City of Manitoba'', 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref>
During the [[First World War]], she advocated on behalf of the "aliens", or those deemed to be interned enemies for opposing the conscription, as well as lobbying the government for increased pensions for soldiers' wives and children. She was imprisoned many times for her activism, along with her husband, but still continued to be an outspoken advocate for the oppressed populations of Canada throughout her time.<ref name="auto1">{{cite book|first= Esyllt|last= Jones|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm_essays/pdf/whm2004.pdf|title= Fighting Days: Women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960|publisher= Manitoba Women's Directorate|location=Manitoba|date=2003}}</ref>


Throughout the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919, many were fighting to obtain a set minimum wage, an eight-hour work day, as well as the right to organize a union.<ref>Joe Macdonald, C. J. (Director), "On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike 1919" [Motion Picture], 1991. Retrieved October 11, 2015</ref> This strike is considered to be the most crucial in regards to Canadian history. Helen was one of the few women in this movement, yet she is not mentioned nearly as often as the male leaders. During the General Strike, she campaigned against the [[Gender pay gap|wage inequality]] between men and women, and for changes in the unhealthy conditions many women faced while working. She advocated on behalf of all women, regardless of their class or occupation. She did so in terms of "walking the [[Picketing|picket line]], making her case in the provincial legislature, or facing the police court magistrate […] in a letter to the deputy minister of labour she wrote "the lives of many of our working girls... so unbearable that in the end the street claims them as easy prey".<ref>Paula, K., ''Looking for Mrs.Armstrong'', The Beaver, 20-26, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref> During the strike, she was able to help many women who had left work in order to aid in the movement, by having places where they could go and receive food and when possible, help with money to pay rent.<ref>Jones, D., [https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf "Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960"], ''City of Manitoba'', 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref>
Throughout the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919, many were fighting to obtain a set minimum wage, an eight-hour work day, as well as the right to organize a union.<ref>Joe Macdonald, C. J. (Director), "On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike 1919" [Motion Picture], 1991. Retrieved October 11, 2015</ref> This strike is considered to be the most crucial in regards to Canadian history. During the General Strike, she campaigned against the [[Gender pay gap|wage inequality]] between men and women, and for changes in the unhealthy conditions many women faced while working. She advocated on behalf of all women, regardless of their class or occupation. She did so in terms of "walking the [[Picketing|picket line]], making her case in the provincial legislature, or facing the police court magistrate […] in a letter to the deputy minister of labour she wrote "the lives of many of our working girls... so unbearable that in the end the street claims them as easy prey."<ref name="auto"/> During the strike, she was able to help many women who had left work in order to aid in the movement, by having places where they could go and receive food and when possible, help with money to pay rent.<ref name="auto1"/>


==Personal life and death==
==Personal life and death==
Helen Jury was born in 1875 in [[Toronto]], Ontario.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernhardt |first1=Darren |title=Fearless: Helen Armstrong and women of the 1919 Winnipeg strike |url=https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/helen-armstrong-wild-woman-of-the-west |work=[[CBC News]] |date=May 30, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Forster2011">{{cite book|first=Merna|last= Forster|title=100 More Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces|chapter=Wild Woman of the West; Helen Armstrong 1875–1947|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nPqQ2rzWL7IC&pg=PA39|year= 2011|publisher=Dundurn|isbn=978-1-4597-0085-7|pages=39–43}}</ref> She was the eldest daughter of a family with ten children.<ref name="auto"/>
Helen Armstrong was born in 1875 in [[Toronto]] , [[Canada]]. She was the first daughter of a family with ten children.<ref>[https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/women/looking-for-mrs-armstrong Looking for Mrs. Armstrong]</ref>
While living in Toronto she worked as a tailoress in her father’s tailoring shop. Helen’s father Alfred Jury was a member of the knights of labor which was a "working class organization that campaigned for the nine-hour day…"<ref>Jones, D., [https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf "Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960"], ''City of Manitoba'', 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref> She met George Armstrong in Toronto, whom she later married. Together, they moved to the United States, and moved to Winnipeg in 1905.<ref>[http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/armstrong_hj.shtml "Memorable Manitobans: Helen Jury "Ma" Armstrong (1875-1947)"], ''The Manitoba Historical Society Keeping History Alive for Over 136 Years'', June 15, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref> Helen had four children, but also worked outside the home.<ref>Paula, K., ''Looking for Mrs.Armstrong'', The Beaver, 20-26, 2002. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref>
While living in Toronto she worked as a tailor in her father’s tailoring shop. Her father, Alfred Jury, was a member of the [[Knights of Labor]] which was a "working class organization that campaigned for the nine-hour day…"<ref name="auto1"/> Helen met [[George Armstrong (Manitoba politician)|George Armstrong]] in Toronto, whom she later married. Together, they moved to the United States, and moved to [[Winnipeg]] in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/armstrong_hj.shtml|title=Memorable Manitobans: Helen Jury "Ma" Armstrong (1875-1947)|website= Manitoba Historical Society|date= June 15, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2015}}</ref> Helen had four children, but also worked outside the home.<ref name="auto"/>


Helen Armstrong died April 18, 1947 in [[Los Angeles, California]], where she was also buried. The achievements throughout her lifetime were monumental for all future generations. In 2001, director Paula Kelly made a documentary on Helen’s life titled "The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong".<ref>Kelly, P. (Director), "The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong" [Motion Picture], 2001. Retrieved October 11, 2015.</ref>
Helen Armstrong died April 18, 1947, in [[Los Angeles, California]], where she was also buried. In 2001, director Paula Kelly made a documentary on Helen’s life titled ''[[The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong]]''.<ref>{{IMDb title|qid=Q123741320|title=The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references>
1, 7, 10. Jones, D. (2003). Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960. Retrieved October 11, 2015, from Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf
2. Memorable Manitobans: Helen Jury "Ma" Armstrong (1875-1947). (2014, June 15). Retrieved October 11, 2015, from The Manitoba Historical Society Keeping History Alive for Over 136 Years: http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/armstrong_hj.shtml
3. Paula, K. (2002). Looking for Mrs.Armstrong. The Beaver, 20-26.
4. Paula, K. (2002). Looking for Mrs.Armstrong. The Beaver, 20-26.
5. Paula, K. (2002). Looking for Mrs.Armstrong. The Beaver, 20-26.
6. Paula, K. (2002). Looking for Mrs.Armstrong. The Beaver, 20-26.
7. Jones, D. (2003). Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960. Retrieved October 11, 2015, from Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf
8. Joe Macdonald, C. J. (Director). (1991). On Strike: The Winnipeg general strike 1919 [Motion Picture].
9. Paula, K. (2002). Looking for Mrs.Armstrong. The Beaver, 20-26.
10. Jones, D. (2003). Fighting days: women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960. Retrieved October 11, 2015, from Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/whm2004.pdf
11. Kelly, P. (Director). (2001). The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong [Motion Picture].</references>


==External links==
*[http://pam.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PAM_DESCRIPTION/DESCRIPTION_DET_REP/SISN%2015883?sessionsearch Helen Armstrong fonds] at [[Archives of Manitoba]]
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:1947 deaths]]
[[Category:1947 deaths]]
[[Category:Canadian activists]]
[[Category:Canadian activists]]
[[Category:People from Toronto]]
[[Category:Activists from Toronto]]
[[Category:Women's rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian women's rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian women human rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian human rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian human rights activists]]
[[Category:Canadian trade unionists]]
[[Category:Trade unionists from Ontario]]
[[Category:Canadian women activists]]
[[Category:Trade unionists from Manitoba]]
[[Category:Canadian women trade unionists]]
[[Category:People of the Winnipeg general strike]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriates in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 12:43, 29 April 2024

Helen Armstrong
Born
Helen Jury

(1875-06-17)June 17, 1875
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedApril 18, 1947(1947-04-18) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, US
SpouseGeorge Armstrong (m. bef. 1906)

Helen "Ma" Armstrong (née Jury; 1875–1947) was a Canadian human rights and labour activist, who took part in the 1919 Winnipeg general strike.[1]

Advocacy

[edit]

Armstrong developed a reputation for herself as a radical activist even before the General Strike in 1919. In 1917, she aided the Women's Labour League, which helped in "union organization, political advocacy, the education of women workers on…their own rights."[2] She had a strong belief in the equality of men and women and was adamant about empowering women to fight for themselves. She stated in a letter to the editor of The Telegram in 1917: "Girls have got to learn to fight as men have had to do for the right to live, and we women of the Labor League are spending all our spare time in trying to get girls to organize as the master class have done to protect their own interests."[2] In 1918, she was a leader in the "campaign for minimum-wage legislation for women in Manitoba."[2]

During the First World War, she advocated on behalf of the "aliens", or those deemed to be interned enemies for opposing the conscription, as well as lobbying the government for increased pensions for soldiers' wives and children. She was imprisoned many times for her activism, along with her husband, but still continued to be an outspoken advocate for the oppressed populations of Canada throughout her time.[3]

Throughout the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919, many were fighting to obtain a set minimum wage, an eight-hour work day, as well as the right to organize a union.[4] This strike is considered to be the most crucial in regards to Canadian history. During the General Strike, she campaigned against the wage inequality between men and women, and for changes in the unhealthy conditions many women faced while working. She advocated on behalf of all women, regardless of their class or occupation. She did so in terms of "walking the picket line, making her case in the provincial legislature, or facing the police court magistrate […] in a letter to the deputy minister of labour she wrote "the lives of many of our working girls... so unbearable that in the end the street claims them as easy prey."[2] During the strike, she was able to help many women who had left work in order to aid in the movement, by having places where they could go and receive food and when possible, help with money to pay rent.[3]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Helen Jury was born in 1875 in Toronto, Ontario.[5][6] She was the eldest daughter of a family with ten children.[2] While living in Toronto she worked as a tailor in her father’s tailoring shop. Her father, Alfred Jury, was a member of the Knights of Labor which was a "working class organization that campaigned for the nine-hour day…"[3] Helen met George Armstrong in Toronto, whom she later married. Together, they moved to the United States, and moved to Winnipeg in 1905.[7] Helen had four children, but also worked outside the home.[2]

Helen Armstrong died April 18, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, where she was also buried. In 2001, director Paula Kelly made a documentary on Helen’s life titled The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Andrew, Hayley (2019-10-04). "Helen (Ma) Armstrong". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kelly, Paula (June–July 2002). "Looking for Mrs. Armstrong". The Beaver. Vol. 82, no. 3. pp. 20–26.
  3. ^ a b c Jones, Esyllt (2003). Fighting Days: Women's employment and the right to work in Manitoba 1900-1960 (PDF). Manitoba: Manitoba Women's Directorate.
  4. ^ Joe Macdonald, C. J. (Director), "On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike 1919" [Motion Picture], 1991. Retrieved October 11, 2015
  5. ^ Bernhardt, Darren (May 30, 2019). "Fearless: Helen Armstrong and women of the 1919 Winnipeg strike". CBC News.
  6. ^ Forster, Merna (2011). "Wild Woman of the West; Helen Armstrong 1875–1947". 100 More Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces. Dundurn. pp. 39–43. ISBN 978-1-4597-0085-7.
  7. ^ "Memorable Manitobans: Helen Jury "Ma" Armstrong (1875-1947)". Manitoba Historical Society. June 15, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  8. ^ The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
[edit]
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