That local chapter was formed in 1907. Its first two elected officers - E. Cora Hind (president) and Lillian Beynon (secretary) eventually teamed up with Nellie in 1912 in the Political Equity League. But back in February 1910, the minutes of Winnipeg's CWPC had this to say:
"Mrs. Nellie McClung of Manitou was guest of honour at a tea given by Mrs. R. L. Osborne. The members enjoyed meeting the bright little authoress of "Sowing Seeds in Danny".
The complete archives of the Canadian Women's Press Club Winnipeg Chapter are readily accessible at the Manitoba Archives, and it's easy to spend several days lost in a time warp with these extraordinary women.
Another member of the CWPC was prominent Winnipegger Harriet Walker. Naturally, the Walker Theater was offered as the venue for the Political Equity League's famous Mock Parliament, written by journalist/playwright Lillian Beynon (now Thomas) with Nellie in the starring role as Premier Rodmond Roblin.
In a curious twist - tying this tale in to our Winnipeg Press Club - Lillian Beynon had married newspaperman Alfred Vernon Thomas, also a member of the Political Equity League. In 1934, while A. V. Thomas was serving as president of the Winnipeg Press Club, the club hosted its very first Beer and Skits political satire show. You can't help but speculate whether Thomas called upon his wife's expertise to secretly offer advice to the Beer and Skits writers - and whether the women of the CWPC basked in the knowledge that they were 20 years ahead of the all-male club with its all-male production.
