Writing for their Lives

Women and the Antigonish Movement

Authors

  • Robin Neustaeter
  • Sophie Gallant

Abstract

Writing for their lives, women in the Antigonish Movement penned pamphlets, minutes, ledgers, ballads, scripts, shopping lists, and more to address systemic poverty and advance economic and social development through cooperation in northeastern Nova Scotia from 1930-1950. This narrative examines women’s involvement in this oft forgotten and relevant movement.

De 1930 à 1950, dans le nord-est de la Nouvelle-Écosse, les femmes du Mouvement d’Antigonish, luttant pour leur survie par l’écriture, ont rédigé des brochures, des procès-verbaux, des registres, des ballades, des scénarios, des listes de courses et bien d’autres documents afin de lutter contre la pauvreté systémique et de promouvoir le développement économique et social par la coopération. Ce récit examine l’engagement des femmes dans ce mouvement souvent oublié et pourtant toujours d’actualité.

Author Biographies

Robin Neustaeter

Robin Neustaeter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult Education at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Her research focuses on women’s learning, work and leadership in community development, social justice, and peacebuilding. Currently, her research focuses on women in the Antigonish Movement in Nova Scotia.

Sophie Gallant

Sophie Gallant is a third-year Public Policy and Governance honours student at St. Francis Xavier University. Originally from Halifax, she researches women’s roles in the Antigonish Movement through the What Can the Women Do project, exploring their contributions to social and economic change.

Canadian Woman Studies, les cahiers de la femme, volume 38, numbers 1 and 2. A York University Publication, Articles, Poetry, Art, Book reviews, for the feminist reader. Visionary Feminisms 1. Guest editors: Leigh Brownhill, Angela Miles, Kimberly Todd, Njoki WaneThe cover shows a painting of a woman dressed in read and wearing a headscarf, surrounded by bright yellow stars. She is facing left and has one arm outstretched as though she is flying.

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Published

2026-06-18

How to Cite

Neustaeter, R., & Gallant, S. (2026). Writing for their Lives: Women and the Antigonish Movement. Canadian Woman Studies Les Cahiers De La Femme, 38(1,2), 54–63. Retrieved from https://cws.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cws/article/view/37946

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1,2 (2026): Visionary Feminisms I

Section

Feminist Activism: Past, Present, Future