Women's History Walking Tour of
St. John's

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17. Cross the street to #35 (formerly #41) Queen's Road, home of Fannie McNeil. Right: Home of Fannie McNeil. Photo by Duleepa Wijayawardhana, 1998. (35 kb)

Frances 'Fannie' McNeil (1869-1928)

Born in St. John's, the daughter of suffragists and merchants, Fannie McNeil was active in women's issues. She participated in the Current Events Club and the Ladies' Reading Room early in the 20th century, and after World War I she was the acknowledged leader of the Women's Suffrage movement.

Fannie McNeil, ca. 1910. Courtesy of the Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives (William Knowling, Collection MF-276), Memorial University of Newfoundland Library, St. John's, Newfoundland. (48 kb) with more information

Fannie has been described as "calm, tactful, witty and persistent, and a favorite with crowds as a public speaker." After the vote was obtained for women in 1925, she became one of the first females to stand for office. She was defeated as a Women's Party candidate for St. John's City Council.

An avid poet and painter, Fannie co- founded the Newfoundland Society of Art with A. E Harris in 1925.

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