The commemorative plaque on the memorial wall in the Arts and Administration building states that, “This university was raised by the people of Newfoundland as a memorial to the fallen …”

The names Arthur Barnes or Vincent Burke might come to mind as both are considered founding fathers of Memorial and their busts stand a few feet from the memorial wall.

But consider this: the Women’s Patriotic Association was formed in August 1914 by Lady Margaret Davidson, wife of the governor. The women who met that August day were the nucleus of a country-wide organization who worked tirelessly throughout the war.

They made and shipped clothing and goods to the troops, volunteered in local hospitals and visited families who had loved ones overseas. 

And for those women who went overseas, the war would have a more immediate impact. Some joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment, a unit of semi-trained nurses. They had a few weeks of basic medical training and then were sent to military hospitals in England and beyond. Trained nurses were in even greater demand and at least 18 from Newfoundland and Labrador served in the war.

When the fighting was over, many of the women found it difficult to readjust. They were frustrated because they were expected to return to their domestic roles. In the coming years, many of these women decided to join a new battle at home — to win voting rights for women, a fight they won in 1925.

But they weren’t finished. In addition to suffrage, there were calls for greater class equity. An early focus was on education and making the halls of higher learning more accessible to working class students — including women.

Women have enjoyed a series of firsts at Memorial ever since. The first graduate of Memorial University College was Helen McGrath in 1926. The first graduate of the university was Denise Bonnave, who was also the first valedictorian. And the first honorary degree was awarded to Monnie Mansfield, registrar and dean of women at the college.

For the past 100 years, thousands of women have followed in their footsteps. They earned degrees and fanned out across Newfoundland and Labrador and contributed to the social, cultural and economic development of our province.

Memorial University was established to honour the sacrifice of those who were lost and those who returned. A living memorial. Together, we realize the vision of Memorial University through the greatest act of remembrance — the advancement of our society through education.