page_title: Helena Gutteridge
section_title: Legacy
hierarchical_section_title: Helena Gutteridge / Legacy
caption_attribution_description: English: The Vancouver City Hall seen from the steps leading to Helena Gutteridge Plaza, Yukon Street.
context_page_description: Helena Gutteridge was a feminist, a suffragist, a trade unionist and the first female city councillor in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Helena was recognized for being a pioneer in pushing for women's rights in B.C. during a time when gender equality was not yet a prominent social movement and discourse.
  Born in Battersea, London in Victorian England, Helena was the second daughter of the Gutteridge family. At the age of 14, Helena was denied access to further education due to social class and gender discrimination. In order to continue pursuing an education, Helena left home in the same year and gradually lost touch with her family. From 1893 to 1911, while working as a tailor in London to support herself and to fund her education, Helena was also actively engaged with the female suffrage movement in the United Kingdom. She joined the Women's Social and Political Union, which provided her with ample political experiences and skills that laid the foundation of her political career.
  In September 1911, Helena set sail for the westernmost part of Canada.
context_section_description: In 2017, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, Joyce Murray, commemorated Helena Gutteridge. On behalf of the Canadian federal government and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine Mckenna, Murray declared Helena Gutteridge as a national historic person at Vancouver City Hall, serving Helena's legacy with a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. 
  "I am proud to honour Helena Gutteridge as a national historic person. She was a visionary reformer who represented female workers in a male-dominated trade union milieu, helped organize unions for women, and built bridges between feminist and labour organizations. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our great nation, it is important for all of us to learn more about the people, places and events that have shaped our rich cultural and natural history." - Joyce Murray, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra.
  "I'm honoured to celebrate the life and legacy of Helena Gutteridge, the first woman elected to Vancouver City Council. Helena's work as a tireless advocate for women's issues laid important groundwork for issues still very relevant to Vancouver today: gender equality, equal pay, homelessness and the need for safe, affordable housing for all. Today's celebration in Helena's memory is an important reminder to keep working toward social and political change for more equality, diversity and inclusion." - His Worship Gregor Robertson Mayor, City of Vancouver.
  The progressive visions of Helena Gutteridge and her relentless drive to fight for women's rights were honoured with the Helena Gutteridge Plaza on International Women's Day in 2018. The plaza was named to commemorate the achievements of Helena throughout her political career and to celebrate her commitment to securing women's suffrage in British Columbia. On March 8, International Women's Day, city dignitaries and community leaders revealed the plaza sign that recognizes the contribution of Gutteridge to the city of Vancouver.  
  The mayor, Gregor Robertson, commented on the opening day of the plaza that "Today is not just about honouring Helena Rose Gutteridge and her struggle for justice and equality, but it is about setting our intention going forward because her work, unfortunately, is continuing and has a long way to go."
  Elizabeth Ball, a then city councillor, said that Helena's political achievements and commitment were inspiring to her and any woman who joins the city council because of her push-back against prejudices and her willingness to work for a diverse population. Ball studied the background of Gutteridge when she was planning to set foot in politics. 
  The plaza is located at Yukon Street and 11th Avenue on the north side of the City Hall, overlooking Vancouver's skyline. The plaza is a public space that holds community activities and events for residents to enjoy and connect with one another. Residents can use the space in the plaza to organize events or activities by obtaining a special event permit from the City.
caption: Helena Gutteridge Plaza
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