Nancy Hodges

Nancy Hodges (October 28, 1888 – December 15, 1969) was a Canadian journalist and politician. Over her career, she served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and as a member of the Senate of Canada. She was the first woman in the Commonwealth of Nations to become Speaker, and was known as a powerful women's rights activist in the Commonwealth.

Background Born in London, England, Nancy Hodges attended King's College at the London University. where she had a daily column. Through 30 years of being an esteemed journalist, she produced over 2,550 columns. Along with her passion for the paper, she was involved in the Victoria Business and Professional Women's Club, where she became a charter member, and later President. An unsuccessful candidate in the 1937 provincial election, she ran again in 1941 and succeeded, staying in office until 1953. The coalitionists ultimately won out, and Pattullo was replaced as premier by John Hart.

Hodges took interest in the Victoria Business and Professional Women's Club, where her slogan was born: "Equal pay for equal work!" In 1947, she attacked the Coalition government for laying off single women to provide jobs for returning veterans, and threatened to campaign for pensions for women at 40 if the practice continued. The firing of women stopped.

When John Hart stepped down in 1947, Hodges supported Boss Johnson as his successor, nominating him in a passionate speech at the convention; Johnson won by eight votes. Following his victory, there was speculation among the press that Hodges would receive a cabinet post as a reward, but Hodges quashed rumours, and said she would not accept a cabinet post. In 1950, she was elected as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, becoming the first woman in the Commonwealth of Nations to hold that office. During her time as Speaker, Hodges toured North America, including visits to The Californian Business and Professional Women's Club, The Canadian Federation of Liberal Women, and The Women's Canadian Club in Ottawa. Along with being a member of Senate committees, she was also a member of various Joint Committees including those of Restaurant and Parliament, and Capital and Corporal Punishment and Lotteries.