My Canadian historical figure is Annie May Jackson, the first female police officer in Canada. It all began as a child, she was born in January, 1879 to parents Jonathan and Letitia Jackson in Ontario. She was the oldest of three girls. Her sisters were Isabella Jackson and Margaret Jane Jackson. She was an average girl doing things other girls did but when she hit the age of 25, that all changed. She wanted to be something that no other women had been. She soon wanted to become the first female police officer in Canada. On October 1st, 1912, she was made a constable to the Edmonton Police station winning out over 47 other applicants. Her picture as a police women appeared on the front page on the London daily Mirror on August 8, 1913. Annie Jackson’s job was to help women uphold “high morals and manners”. She was assigned this job because the station thought that if people didn’t like what they were doing it would be better for a woman to be sued. Becoming an officer was both daring and controversial at the time. She had a monthly salary of $75. At work each day she would wear an ankle long skirt and a prim hat. While also being a police officer, she was a trusted member of the McDougall United Church. When she was a police officer she was well known for her kind and compassionate manner. She soon married William Kelcher and was forced to quit her job after giving birth to her only son, Henry Kelcher who became a trustee of the McDougall United Church. Sadly, Annie Jackson passed away at the age of 82 in January, 1959 after being hit by a car walking to her home at night. In her honour, Jackson heights, Annie May Jackson park and a school were named in her honour to preserve her legacy and amazing life. Annie May Jackson has inspired many women and today there are thousands of female police officers in Canada. She made a great difference in the world which will always be remembered.
- Isabella K.
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