Julia Kiniski

Julia Kiniski (1899 in Poland – October 11, 1969 in Edmonton, Alberta), served seven years on the Edmonton City Council, from 1963 until her death in 1969. Prior to her election in 1963, she ran as an independent or as a candidate for grassroots or reform-minded parties unsuccessfully in 14 city elections between 1945 and 1962.

Julia, born Warshawski, emigrated with the family to Chipman, Alberta in 1912. At the age of sixteen she married her husband, Nicholas, with whom she raised six children, including wrestler Gene Kiniski. He worked as a barber, making $5 ($ today) a week, while she sold cosmetics and managed a café. That is, to allow basement rental suites, which was a way for empty-nesters to cover the cost of housing.

She died of a heart attack at the age of 70 in 1969. She was succeeded in office by her son, Julian Kinisky. He won his mother's old seat in a 1970 by-election.

An elementary school in Edmonton is named for her, as is the neighbourhood of Kiniski Gardens in Mill Woods.

Table of election results

Elections won are in bold. From 1899 to 1963, Edmonton held annual municipal elections, replacing half of the alderman each year. Kiniski stood for election in 14 of 18 elections from 1945 to 1962, winning in her 15th attempt in 1963. Beginning in 1964, all seats were up for election every two years.