Exactly 70 years ago on Friday, Lethbridge’s first councilwoman, now known as a city councilor, claimed her seat on the council chambers.
According to the Lethbridge Historical Society, Lillian Parry was born in Wales in 1900 and moved to Lethbridge two years later. She would then study nursing and worked for more than 30 years at the Campbell Clinic and hospital in Magrath, Alta.
Parry also served in World War II in the Army Medical Corps.
“She was involved in many things. One of the things that happened during her time (on the council) is that Lethbridge developed a health unit as a city department, ”explained Councilor and President of the Lethbridge Historical Society, Belinda Crowson.
“She made a huge mark, as a councilor and as someone who brought better healthcare to Lethbridge.”
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Since Parry’s time on council from 1952 to 1957, there have only been 16 other women councilors in Lethbridge.
“We have had two terms where there have been three women, but we have never had even half of the council being women,” Crowson explained.
Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, one of two women currently on the council who was elected in the fall, recognized the importance of remembering women like Parry.
Belinda Crowson (left) and Jenn Schmidt-Rempel (right) approach a pillar dedicated to Lethbridge’s first councilwoman on City Hall.
Eloise Therien / Global News
“It is wonderful to see inspiring women of yesteryear working to improve our community, our province and our area,” said Schmidt-Rempel.
Councilors said young women need to see people like themselves in leadership positions to know they can achieve their goals and they hope to see more diversity on the council in terms of age range, cultures and other perspectives in the future.
“It’s important for us to see each other there, to inspire other generations of women to step up and take on those leadership roles,” said Schmidt-Rempel.
Parry died in 1980 and currently rests on the Field of Honor at Mountain View Cemetery.
The year 2022 also marks 30 years since the first woman, Ruth Elzinga, ran for mayor of Lethbridge.
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