Nellie McClung was a political activist. She was also a charmer with a gift for oratory and a delightful sense of humour. Her spirited leadership rallied others to the cause of women's suffrage in Manitoba in the early 20th century.

Her concern for less fortunate women grew out of deep religious beliefs and devotion to her family. She had seen firsthand the suffering of women and children caused by neglect, overwork, poverty and alcohol abuse.

Women's suffrage was not a popular cause in Canada. Men and women were frightened that women's rights would lead to the breakdown of home and family. McClung calmed these fears with reasonable discussion.

To rally public support, the League held a Mock Parliament on January 28, 1914. The subject of debate was whether or not men should have the vote. On January 29, 1916, Manitoba became the first Canadian province to give women the vote.