AGNES MACPHAIL

CONGRATULATIONS TO
DR. BLAIR BIGHAM RECIPIENT of
2026 AGNES MACPHAIL AWARD!

DR. BLAIR BIGHAM
This year's recipient of 2026 Agnes Macphail Award

DR. BLAIR BIGHAM has built his career “thinking locally and acting globally”, bringing national platforms and international experience directly to bear on the needs, challenges and voices of his local community. An emergency and critical care physician at Sunnybrook Health Centre, educator and journalist, his work is deeply rooted in East Toronto and throughout the city. He has consistently focused on
fairness, dignity and accountability in systems that profoundly shape people’s lives with his insistence that equity and justice be visible, named and addressed.
His contributions as a volunteer, advocate and community leader span decades and reflect a sustained commitment to the values of
Agnes Macphail.

East York Historical Society President Pat Barnett and 2026 Agnes Macphail Award Recipient
Dr. Blair Bigham, Sunday, March 22, 2026
True Davidson Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. in East York

Letter of Invitation Dr. Blair Bigham recipient of
2026 Agnes Macphail Award

Celebrate International Women's Day
MARCH 8
by recognizing the achievements of
Rae Luckock and Agnes Macphail

lwww.eastyorkhistoricalsociety.com/ey-100th--agnes-macphail.html

Agnes Macphail Plaque erected by
East York Historical Society

The Agnes Macphail plaque unveiling was held at former house of Agnes Macphail, on
September 30, 2012 at the corners of
720 Millwood Road and 2 Donegall Drive.
Photo L: East York Historical Society Vice President, now East York Historical Society
President Pat Barnett reading a line from
one of Macphail's quotes.
All in attendance had to read one from a list of Agnes' endless quotes. See plaque below to the right under
History of Agnes Macphail.

EAST YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY at 2025 AGNES MACPHAIL AWARD CEREMONY

Photo above EYHS Archive Exhibit.
Exec Board of Directors L>R: EYHS VP RBrown, EYHS Sect’y JVanDette and EYHS President PBarnett.
Portrait of EYHS Founder JS Ridout. Photo credit JVanDette.
2025 Agnes Macphail Award Ceremony .

AGNES MACPHAIL

The first woman elected to
Canada's House of Commons.
Macphail served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1921 to 1940

Photo Left: Worker's History Museum
workershistorymuseum.ca/agnes-macphail/

HISTORY OF AGNES MACPHAIL
MARCH 24, 1890 - FEB. 13, 1954

Agnes Macphail plaque erected by
East York Historical Society

Agnes Campbell Macphail (1890-1954) was once described as “the most important woman in public life that Canada has produced in the 20th century.”
In 1921, Agnes Macphail blazed a path for women as
the first female to be elected to the federal House of Commons. In 1943, she became the first woman elected and sworn to sit in the Legislative Assembly, representing York East (which included the Borough of East York and the surrounding rural area). For further information about her life and accomplishments.
On March 24, 1993, former East York Mayor
Michael Prue proclaimed the first annual
Agnes Macphail Day in the Borough of East York, to honour the 50th anniversary of her election to the Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park.
In addition to the Agnes Macphail Award, her legacy is recognized across Toronto with the naming of :
Agnes Macphail Public School, Agnes Macphail Square, Macphail Avenue, and the Agnes Macphail House, which has been designated as a property of cultural heritage value under the Ontario Heritage Act.
In 2017, as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary, her image was featured on a $10 bill.
The 100th anniversary of Agnes Macphail’s election to Federal Parliament was commemorated in 2021.
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/agnes-macphail-award/

2024 AGNES MACPHAIL AWARD CEREMONY
and Celebration of the
1OOth Birth of the Township of East York

www.eastyorkhistoricalsociety.com/ey-100th--agnes-macphail.html

2024 Agnes Macphail Award recipient
Susan Scandiffio

https://www.eastyorkhistoricalsociety.com/ey-100th--agnes-macphail.html

2024 Agnes Macphail Award Ceremony and the 1OOth Birth of the Township of East York
1924-2024 Celebrations both held on Sunday, March 24, 2024 during the ceremony from 2pm - 4pm
This important anniversary will be celebrated at the Award Ceremony in the following ways:

It will be mentioned in the speaking remarks of the Mayor
Toronto Archives will launch a digital exhibition on 100 years of East York on March 24th, with an archivist in attendance explaining the exhibit
An anniversary cake for all to enjoy at the reception that takes place right after the Ceremony...

.
RSVP here [email protected] to confirm that you will be in attendance.

East York Historical Society will also be exhibiting our Archival Materials at this memorable event.

2023 AGNES MACPHAIL
AWARD CEREMONY
SUNDAY
MARCH 19, 2023
@ 2pm

Photo above: DR. SHAKHLO SHARIPOVA –NAMED 2023 AGNES MACPHAIL AWARD WINNER
CEREMONY SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 @ 2PM at East York Civic Centre.

Photo Above L to R: EYHS Director Joanne Valliere, TDSB Trustee Sara Ehrhardt,
EYHS President Pat Barnett, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Dr. Shakhlo Sharipova and Peter Tabuns MPP

Photo Above
2022 Agnes Macphail Award Winner Kam Babulal and
2023 Agnes Macphail Award Winner Skakhlo Sharipova

FREE REGISTRATION FOR IN PERSON:
https://www.universe.com/events/macphails-birthday-2023-tickets-TL4GV2?mc_cid=5c2632043d&mc_eid=16a0d9ce2d

FREE REGISTRATION FOR LIVESTREAM:
https://www.universe.com/events/macphails-birthday-2023-streamed-live-tickets-GLT26H?mc_cid=5c2632043d&mc_eid=16a0d9ce2d

AGNES MACPHAIL
DOCUMENTARY DECEMBER 3, 2022
"NO BED of ROSES: AGNES MACPHAIL'S LIFE IN POLITICS"
If you missed the premiere of the documentary on Agnes Macphail on December 3, 2022
here is a link to the recording of all of the evening’s activities which Jane Penhale included in her
Christmas letter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk3uXYRdFEU

March is Agnes Macphail month in
Grey Highlands – our time to annually pay homage to our Lady from Grey and recognize her significant place in Canadian history. This year, the Friends of the

South Grey Museum, in partnership with Annesley Markdale, are resuming their annual Agnes event. We invite you to join us in celebrating the birthday (March 24, 1890) of Agnes Campbell Macphail (1890-1954) on Sunday afternoon, March 26th, when we will also pay tribute to other notable women of Grey Highlands. We are also pleased to be presenting a special showing of the documentary, No Bed of Roses and delighted to have Terry Mokriy return as our MC. Light refreshments will be included.
Admission is free and we appreciate any donations

Brief Description – No Bed of Roses: Agnes Macphail’s Life in Politics

Join the Friends of the South Grey Museum
as we pay homage to Agnes Campbell Macphail — the Lady from Grey --on Saturday evening, December 3, 2022, at Annesley United Church, Markdale.
Doors open at 6:30 pm: program begins at 7:00 pm.
Plan to be in attendance for the Premiere showing of a locally produced documentary:
“No Bed of Roses: Agnes Macphail’s Life in Politics.”
Through narration and readings this highly creative production showcases the talents of local
personalities and is generously illustrated by regional photography and art.

One hundred years ago, Agnes Macphail made history when she took her seat in the House of Commons, Ottawa, as Canada’s very first female to be elected MP.
Join us for complementary coffee and desserts following the production.
The Friends thank the Grey Bruce Community Foundation and the Municipality of Grey Highlands for funding support.
Free will donations appreciated. For additional details and streaming information turn to
www.annesley.events. Masks optional, but recommended.