Rebel Women: Achievements Beyond the Ordinary

Naomi Brun is a freelance writer and a book reviewer for The Hamilton
Spectator.

Despite the title, this book focuses neither on women who were highly
successful in a man’s world nor on moments of triumph in feminist
history. Rather, the nine biographical sketches highlight feisty
personalities who lived in western Canada during the 19th and early 20th
centuries.

Caroline “Mother” Fulham, for example, was well known in Calgary
for her raucous and vulgar ways. One anecdote relates how she rolled
down her stocking so that a local physician could take a look at her
sore ankle. The horrified doctor wagered five dollars that there
wasn’t a dirtier leg in the whole city. Fulham roared as she removed
the other stocking, and rightfully claimed her prize. In another story,
she marched into the offices of the Calgary Herald, evidence in hand,
and reported that a police officer had ripped her hair out. After some
investigation, the “evidence” turned out to be horsehair. Fulham
loved to stir up trouble, and for this very reason was the subject of
most of Calgary’s gossip in her day.

Not all of the women in this collection were as rowdy as Fulham. Some
set out to accomplish great things where others had failed. Although
these women exceeded the expectations of their time, true success eluded
their grasp. Nell Shipman, for instance, began a promising career as an
actress and a studio manager, but could not find work when major studio
companies began to dominate Hollywood. She then switched to screenplay
writing, but received little credit for her efforts.

Linda Kupecek, a screenwriter, playwright, and journalist, writes in an
entertaining and easily accessible style as she relates the amusing
tales of these lively women. But for women today to view these ladies as
role models for their “achievements” would be an exaggeration, since
they lacked the courage and perseverance displayed by the true pioneers
of feminist history.