How did women in the early twentieth century, newly arrived in North-West Canada, cope with their strange new lives â so very different from the lives they used to lead? How did they see themselves and their role in frontier life? In the early twentieth century, drawn west by the promise of free land, economic success or religious and political freedom, women moved from eastern Canada and overseas to farms and ranches in North-West Canada. They discovered that it was not the utopia touted by government propaganda or land agents. They also discovered that there was a select but diverse group of rural women who shared their common experiences of isolation, of hard work and duty, of poverty and neglect. But, more importantly, they shared knowledge of independence and self-reliance and of pride in what they had accomplished. Through letters written to the women's pages in agricultural newspapers, they forged a vital network that supported, encouraged and educated women in ways to improve their rural lives. Their letters show how these rural women made significant and vital contributions to the settlement and development of the Canadian North-West.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents for Dear Editor and Friends: Letters from Rural Women of the North-West, 1900â1920 , edited by Norah L. Lewis List of Illustrations Acknowledgments âThe West Is Callingâ | Mary Fraser Introduction 1899 Icelander 1900 Tom Boy Pearl Alberta Fawn Emma Rose East Wind E.M.T. Late Comer 1901 Sour Grapes 1902 Cowgirl 1903 Maid oâ the Mist A Bereaved Mother Nil Desperadum 1904 Frankâs Mother Bluebird Still Hopeful 1905 Sage-Brush: From a Dry Climate Butter and Eggs: Land for Single Women B.S.: Room for a Change T. Lynch: Teachers Wanted in B.C. A Wrathy Spinster: A Spinster Who Knows B.C.: Young Wives J.W.: A Man among the Amazons A Clerk: A Good Place for Women Mother A Mother 1906 Western Teacher: A Western Teacherâs Advice Young Schoolmaâam: A Word for Widowers B.A.M.: A Happy Western Teacher Poor but Hopeful: On Mining Speculation Big Mike: Big Mike Wants a Working Wife 1907 Marie Meadow Rue Imogen: Teaching in the West Hazel Eyes: A Brave Woman Sunset: Diana of the Pacific Bess: Fond of Horses and Hunting 1908 Barrie: Helpful and Amusing Cricket of Paradise Valley: Life and Love A Marriageable Woman: A Chance for a Bachelor Bread Winner: A Sad Story 1909 Teresa: An Englishwomanâs View Lord Ullinâs Daguther: The Wifeâs Dower Mere Men: The Dower Question Brightness: Pretty and Useful Seat Justice of the Peace: The Dower Law Mrs. J.A.K.: Baby for Adoption Nawitka: A Strong Plea for Women A Wife and Mother: The Franchise 1910 Addariah: A Vexed Question Farmerâs Wife (Slave): A Real Grievance Farmerâs Wife: Story of a Maternity Nurse One Who Knows: Why Young People Leave the Farm In-the-Depths: Comfort Wanted Temperance Worker: Local Option Old Maids 1911 Settler: Graham Island 1912 Tired: Tiredâs Letter of Thanks Christina: A Helpful Letter Penelope: Her Heartâs Desire Flynn Valley: Children Need a Home Rosebush: A Prairie Christmas Tress Betty: Things Look Black Morning Albertan: A Christmas Tree 1913 Beacon: Matrimonial Laws in Saskatchewan 1914 Sweet Idaho: Children Given Away Grandmother: Methods in Child Raising A Mother: Health and Morality Worker: What Do You Think? Residential Teacher: School Problems A Broken-Hearted Wife: a âBacherâsâ Wife 1915 Brother Bachelor: A Voice from Vancouver Hope: Women Need to Get Out Francis Marion Beynon: Whoâll Help This Baby? F.M.B.: Many Homes for Baby A Homesteaderâs Wife: Four Lean Years in Five Aloha Twin: Valuable Fur An English Soldierâs Wife 1916 Farmer: A Pitiful Heart Evangeline: When a Man Enlists Determination: Canât Alter Circumstances Saskatchewan Rose: The Question of Population A Loving Wife No Occupation: Wake Up! Farm Women The Mother of a Soldier: The Grandmother Speaks A Soldierâs Mother: Advice for Expectant Mothers 1917 New Country-Woman: Query? Maternity: On Midwives Saskatchewan Nancy: The Sensible Age 1918 Prairie Maid: Brave Little Girl Discouraged Woman: Another Tragedy H.M. Mc.: Municipal Hospitals Ileen: Labor Problem Young Old Benedict: Champions Married Women 1919 Rosie Cheeked English Girl: Takes Issue With Frenchy A War Bride: Definition of a War Bride Isabelle: Calls Attention to Laws 1920 Peggie: To Can Beef and Pork for Summer Conclusion: Was It Worth the Journey? Appendix: Papers, Clubs, and Editors Additional Readings Index