Elizabeth Bagshaw
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Catherine Bagshaw, CM
(October 1881 – January 5, 1982) was one of Canada
's first female doctors and the medical director of the first birth control
clinic
in Canada.
, she attended Lindsay Collegiate before enrolling in the Women's Medical College (now Women's College Hospital
) in Toronto in 1901. Since the College was unable to grant degrees, she received her degree from the University of Toronto
. In 1906, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario
where she set up a medical practice. From 1932 until 1966, she was the medical director of Canada's first birth control clinic. She retired at the age of 95 in 1976 and was the oldest practicing physician in Canada at the time.
. In 1978, the National Film Board of Canada
produced a film about her called Doctor Woman: The Life and Times of Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw. In 1979, she was one of the first seven women to receive the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case "to recognize outstanding contributions to the quality of life of women in Canada". In 2007, she was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
. The Elizabeth Bagshaw Elementary School in Hamilton is named in her honour as is the Elizabeth Bagshaw Women's Clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(October 1881 – January 5, 1982) was one of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's first female doctors and the medical director of the first birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
clinic
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
in Canada.
History
Born on a farm in Mariposa Township, Victoria County, OntarioVictoria County, Ontario
The County of Victoria, or Victoria County, was a county in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was formed in 1854 as The United Counties of Peterborough and Victoria, and gained independence in 1863. In 2001, the county was dissolved and reformed as the city of Kawartha Lakes...
, she attended Lindsay Collegiate before enrolling in the Women's Medical College (now Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital, or The New Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital in downtown Toronto. It currently functions as an independent ambulatory care hospital. The Physician-in-chief is Dr. Jim Ruderman....
) in Toronto in 1901. Since the College was unable to grant degrees, she received her degree from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. In 1906, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
where she set up a medical practice. From 1932 until 1966, she was the medical director of Canada's first birth control clinic. She retired at the age of 95 in 1976 and was the oldest practicing physician in Canada at the time.
Awards and distinctions
In 1970, she was awarded Hamilton's Citizen of the Year. In 1972, she was made a Member of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1978, the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
produced a film about her called Doctor Woman: The Life and Times of Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw. In 1979, she was one of the first seven women to receive the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case "to recognize outstanding contributions to the quality of life of women in Canada". In 2007, she was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
. The Elizabeth Bagshaw Elementary School in Hamilton is named in her honour as is the Elizabeth Bagshaw Women's Clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia.