Edith was the president of Nova Scotia chapter of Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1892. She lived between 1854 and 1936. She was involved in many reform issues as a president of Nova Scotia’s Chapter of WCTU and in other circumstances in the history of the Maritimes. She called for women suffrage (right to vote) and agitated for equal treatment of women and women empowerment.
Through WCTU, Edith Archibald encouraged the cessation of alcohol among women and championed the formation of an anti-alcohol legislation. She encouraged women to avoid alcohol and called for the prohibition of Alcohol in Nova Scotia as other presidents in the other two Maritime Chapters did. The role of WCTU was defined in its slogan “organize, educate, agitate”.
Edith used the organization to hold meetings, and conventions in order to empower women and enable them achieve the desires of the Maritime women. She was a radical feminist who worked much closed with women and encouraged them to engage in work, employment and decision making.
She also encourages equal treatment of women at the workplace and encouraged women to go through school system and acquire education and training in various sectors.
The study of Edith Archibald is important for history learners because it enables them to understand the origin of feminism in Maritime region, and how to deal with problems faced by women in the society; drawing lessons from her and fighting hard to ensure that the future holds a good position for women.
