Happy International Women's Day!
March 8th is International Women's Day! in honour of the women of Rossland, we thought we would share some of the work of our on-going women's history project.
Throughout its history, Rossland has had hundreds of groups and societies for the town's peoples.
The question is, how many of them were dedicated to women?
Note: This list is by no means complete and includes only all-women or mainly women groups. Rossland women have been actively involved in many other Rossland groups such as the Rotary Club, Legion, Lions Club, and Red Mountain Racers.
Societies/Service Organizations
Deborah Rebekah Lodge #13: The mostly female branch of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows (men are allowed into the Rebekah Lodge, but the group is by far mostly women). Rossland’s Deborah Rebekah Lodge #13 was instituted on 12 April 1899 and still meets today.
Order of the Pythian Sisters: The female auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias that formed in 1888. To become a member, you had to be related to a member of the Knights of Pythias. There was also a girl's youth group called the Pythian Sunshine Girls. Rossland's Order of the Pythian Sisters, known as Maple Leaf Temple #4, received its charter in 1901 and closed in the 1990s.
Ladies of the Maccabees: The female auxiliary of the Knights of the Maccabees formed in the mid-1880s. Ladies of the Maccabees groups are known as Hives. Rossland was home to Hive No. 5. It is unknown when the group started or ended in Rossland.
Kathleen Blackwell’s Rebekah’s charge book donated in 2020 by her daughter.
F.O.E. Auxiliary #10 pins donated by Terry Brinson
Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary: The female branch of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Rossland's auxiliary was formed in July 1946 and disbanded in late 2012.
Women's Loyal Moose Circle: The female auxiliary of the Loyal Order of the Moose that formed in 1913. The service group worked with the Loyal Order of the Moose to provide help to those in need. Rossland's Women's Loyal Moose Circle No. 147 was formed in 1912, end date unknown.
Western Federation of Miners Women's Auxiliary: The female auxiliary of the WFM. It is unknown when the Rossland Women’s Auxiliary No. 1 formed.
Soroptimist International: A volunteer service organization formed in 1921. The group focuses on peace and improving the lives of women and girls. It is unknown when the group formed in Rossland.
Job's Daughters: A masonic affiliated youth organization for girls 10- 20. The group strives to create "confident young women, respecting tradition, and shaping the future". Individual groups are known as Bethels. Rossland's Bethel No. 5 formed in 1946.
1995.11.2 - The head of the Rossland-Trail Soroptimist Club gavel
2015.8.2 - Maxine Ferguson's Rossland Royals team jacket.
Sports Teams
Rossland Royals: Rossland’s women's all-star softball team from the 1950s until at least the 1970s.
Rossland Jaybees: A Rossland women's softball team founded by Jorgen Madson in the 1950s.
Rosslands Ladies’ Hockey Team: The team was created in 1900 as part of the Rossland Winter Carnival. The team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Miscellaneous Groups
Women's Club and Exchange: This group was created by Mary Catherine Ledoux in Rossland in 1926. Events included lectures, gymnasium classes, women's literature available to all, afternoon teas, social meetings, and fancy work instruction/creation. End date unknown.
2013.009.004
Girl Guides: This organization formed in 1910 for the girls who wanted to participate in the Boy Scouts. The organization helps girls create a positive mindset, challenge themselves, develop leadership, engage with the community, and create a positive identity. This group also encompasses the Brownies. Rossland gained a Girl Guide Troop in 1934.
Rossglen Women: This group has an unknown history, but is potentially a social group made up of women from the Rossglen war-time housing development.
Mount Roberts Women: There is no information on this group, only a name in a newspaper article.