Telling a trailblazer’s story

Growing up in Manitou, Gillian Potvin has long been inspired by Nellie McClung’s legacy. The 39-year-old has dedicated nearly a decade to supporting the Nellie McClung Museum of Canada through marketing and event planning since its opening in 2017. McClung, born in 1873 and a prominent suffragist, played a crucial role in recognizing women as persons in Canada.

Potvin, who grew up in St. Adolphe and was influenced by her mother, inherited her admiration for McClung from her mother. The community’s various tributes, including murals and landmarks, left a lasting impression on Potvin’s mother.

Nellie McClung was a key figure in the women’s suffragist movement, part of the Famous Five who fought for women to be recognized as persons in the British North America Act. She was also the first woman to serve on the board of governors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

To share McClung’s story with newer audiences, Potvin has organized events at the museum, such as high tea and a fundraiser at FortWhyte Alive. She also displays the museum’s collection of antique 1920s dresses during the Hidden Attic exhibit, a display that has deepened her appreciation for vintage items.

Potvin has recently launched a vintage furniture company called Nellie’s Parlour, where people can rent vintage furniture for events, with a portion of the revenue donated to the museum annually. She is currently focused on the Hidden Attic exhibit and the refreshed museum website and logo.