What Can the Women Do? Women and Co-operatives

06/07/2026

You can now catch this show in Mabou! Moses Coady and the Sisters of St. Martha go to the Keppoch goes to the Strathspey Performing Arts Centre!
Inverness county has a rich and fascinating co-operative movement story!

It was a lovely night with JP Cormier last night, with lots of personal stories and special moments. Thanks to one and all who came to the theatre for the show! Now we are getting ready to host a new Ships of 1801 Society production featuring Margaree's own Father Moses Coady! July 7th at 7 pm is the show and tickets are on sale NOW! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/moses-coady-and-the-sisters-of-st-martha-go-to-the-keppoch-registration-1991005281393?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/02/2026

Sister Irene Doyle was an artist in the Antigonish Movement. Her work is found on numerous Extension pamphlets and the famous banner outlining the goals and actions of the movement. Now we can see more of her art, and the art of more Marthas, at the People’s Place library in Antigonish in June and July 2026.

Psst - that original banner that went to community mass meetings and short courses in the 1930s and after is hanging in the Angus MacDonald library at StFX.

As part of CSM 125th Anniversary celebrations, we are pleased to present "Made by a Martha: Artistic Expressions of the Sisters of St. Martha", an art exhibit on display from June through July 2026 at@The People's Place: Antigonish Town and County Library. Through six interpretive panels, the exhibit highlights the artistic lives and creative works of Sisters Irene Doyle, Inez Grant, and Adele Cormier, while also exploring landscapes, needle arts, and spirituality. We invite you to visit the Antigonish Library and experience the creativity of these talented Marthas as we celebrate 125 years of service and community.

05/17/2026

People are storied beings. We tell stories to learn, remember, make meaning, and build identities and connections

Thank you Duncan MacDonald for your work to write this story of the Antigonish Movement into a script and the Ships of 1801 Concert for bringing it to the stage! ( and for coming to our presentation at Antigonish Heritage Museum in October).

And thank you to Let's Talk Antigonish for this story of stories.

Duncan MacDonald discusses Antigonish's beloved community theatre production

05/05/2026

Super excited to see that this summer, The Antigonish Movement is coming to the stage! These annual shows blend fact, imagination and music to tell local history. If you are interested in going, it's recommended to get tickets early as they sell out.

05/04/2026

03/19/2026

Inspired by the StFX Women's Hockey team, I took a dive into The Casket archives to the 1920s and women's hockey in Antigonish. Antigonish Heritage Museum

03/15/2026

During World War 2, many women in North eastern Nova Scotia worked in steel plants and shipbuilding. At the shipyard in Pictou one-third of the employees were women. This was the highest rate of any shipyard in Canada. Over in Sydney, almost 1000 women were working in all departments of the steel plants. Most were laid off at the end of the war (not surprising).

On honoring the wisdom of elder women: "Talk to your own grandmother today... ask her questions." -- from the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, 1976.

For an excellent book for adult readers about the diverse roles played by American women during WWII, we highly recommend "Our Mothers' War: American Women at Home and at the Front During World War II" at https://bookshop.org/a/8011/9780743245166 (Bookshop) and http://amzn.to/1Mbgk9I (Amazon)

For an inspiring picture book honoring the women who supported the war effort during WWII, we recommend "Rosie: Stronger than Steel" for ages 4 to 8 at https://www.amightygirl.com/rosie-stronger-than-steel

For books, toys, and clothing celebrating Rosie the Riveter, the famous WWII icon, visit our "Rosie the Riveter Collection" at http://amgrl.co/2n27EeE

For books for adult readers about heroic women of WWII, visit our blog post, "Telling Her Story: 40 Books for Adult Readers About Women Heroes of WWII," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=24501

02/10/2026

Doreen Paris worked with the Extension Department for 19 years!

Today, we remember and honour Doreen Paris, a pillar of leadership, advocacy, and deep community care in New Glasgow and beyond. Doreen spent her life dedicated to her community, from her work in law, to 19 years with the StFX Extension Department, to nearly two decades with PCWRSAC supporting women and facilitating programs that empowered women and girls, she showed up, consistently, and where it mattered most.

Doreen also made sure African Nova Scotian voices were heard at every table: serving on community boards and initiatives across the county, supporting survivors and families, and contributing to justice-seeking work including the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children Inquiry. She represented Nova Scotia through the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, even taking that advocacy to the United Nations hearings in New York City.

A devoted member of Second United Baptist Church, Doreen broke barriers in faith leadership too, serving as the third non-clergy female Moderator for the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia and as President of the AUBA Women’s Institute.

Thank you, Doreen, for your courage, your consistency, and your fierce belief that everyone's voice deserves to be heard.

02/05/2026

Pat Skinner worked for the St. F. X. Extension Department.

01/26/2026

Lottie Austin was a woman of the Antigonish Movement. Her involvement with agricultural societies and cooperatives around Inverness county and the StFX Extension Department.