Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton, O.C., C.B.E. 1896-1975
Whitton was the first woman mayor of Ottawa. Throughout her lifetime, she worked fiercely and energetically to improve social conditions.
Location:
In the council chambers, Old City Hall, 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Themes:
People, Politics and law, Women's History
Plaque text:
The first woman mayor of Canada's capital, 1951-56 and 1961-64, Charlotte Whitton was born in Renfrew, educated there and at Queen's University. In 1920, she became secretary of the Canadian Council on Child Welfare (later the Canadian Welfare Council) and as its first executive director, 1926-1941, worked energetically to improve the condition of indigent mothers. Fiery and controversial, Charlotte Whitton represented Canada on the League of Nations Social Questions Committee and investigated Alberta welfare practices for the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, of which she was a lifelong member. She wrote prolifically on a variety of subjects including lumbering on the Ottawa, and Canadian women in war. Her many distinctions included honorary degrees from Smith College, Queen's and Acadia Universities.
