Grace Evans

On Their Shoulders Grace Evans

Nova Scotia elected its first representative government in 1758. It was over 200 years later that the first woman, Gladys Porter, would take her seat at Province House. On Their Shoulders: The Women Who Paved the Way in Nova Scotia Politics tells the stories of the first fifty women to serve as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), detailing their journeys to office, the inequalities they overcame, the moments and achievements they are proud of, and the advice they give to today's young women.




Co-authors Sarah Dobson and Grace Evans interviewed women who have served as an MLA in Nova Scotia, as well as the families of those who have since passed away. This book is a historic recollection of Nova Scotian politics with a gendered lens, filling an important gap in our history while inspiring young women to follow in their footsteps.




The book began as an idea for a fundraiser, but became so much more. Alongside a successful crowdfunding campaign, the sales of this book will go towards the Women in Politics Scholarship at Dalhousie University. This scholarship will support the next generation of women-identifying students who aspire to a career in politics.