Jessie Turnbull

Jessie Turnbull (December 1845 – 1 June 1920), also known as Jessie McEwen, was a Canadian women's rights activist.

Life Turnbull was born in 1845, probably in Montreal. In her first job after leaving college, she was employed under the leadership of Egerton Ryerson to tour schools to educate parents of the importance of educating girls as well as boys. The Toronto-based association worked towards opening up education to women, and allowing women to advance as professionals, particularly as doctors.

In 1884 Turnbull moved to Brandon in Manitoba where her husband had a farm and they built a large house named Tullichewen in 1893. In November 1895 she chaired a meeting that heard Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, who was the Viceregal consort of Canada, talk about the National Council of Women of Canada. Turnbull agreed to become the President of the Brandon branch of the group. The Brandon group were successful in campaigning for many improvements. This was not because of Turnbull's demands but due to her persuasive powers.