Equal Opportunities

A congratulations letter from the astronomer Helen Hogg, to Ursula Franklin on her appointment to University Professor.

A letter from Vice-President and Provost, Frank Iacobucci to newly appointed Professor Ursula Franklin. Franklin was the first woman at the U of T to be awarded the institution's highest honour.

A letter asking Kay Armatage to join the Women's Studies Programme Committee for 1977-78. Chaviva Hosek, chair of the committee, specifically asked for Armatage.

A Seat at the Table

Who wouldn’t want a stable job and a comfortable work environment?

Despite women at the University of Toronto being able to attend lectures and teach, discrimination persisted. This meant they had a harder time gaining permanent employment and securing tenure. During the 1960s and onwards, these issues came under more scrutiny.

Women felt isolated in departments dominated by men. They were often the only women in the room. Many did not receive opportunities to advance in their departments, or receive proper funding for research. Even more telling, women received lower pay than men in their departments.

Change towards equity was slow at the University. This shifted when women achieved higher administrative positions and started to advocate and work together. Soon, networks began to take shape.

Once in positions of power, women began to help others achieve equal standing with the men in their departments.

Click the play button to hear from Helen Breslauer, Vanda Vitali, Kay Armatage, and Laurel MacDowell. They talk about the triumphs and struggles of their academic careers, as well as how gender discrimination affected them.

Click the play button to hear Kay Armatage, Joan Simalchik, Lorna Marsden and Laurel MacDowell speak about women supported other women.

Click on "No Women Left Behind," in the bottom right, to learn about the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and how it affected the U of T.