It’s no secret if you know me, or even if you have had to talk to me for an extended period of time, my favorite author is hands down Lucy Maud Montgomery, aka L.M. Montgomery, and the writer of the Anne of Green Gables series [Yes, I said series— check it out —there are nine books!].
Slightly less well-known is the Disney TV series that aired in the 1990s called Avonlea and was loosely based on characters from another of Montgomery’s books called “The Story Girl.”
One episode that has always stuck out in my mind, even more so than the one where all the kids were left home unsupervised and obvious hilarity ensued, is the one that aired February 16, 1992, entitled “Aunt Janet Rebels.”
Known to be an outspoken motherly figure on the show, Janet King, played by Lally Cadeau, attends a temperance society meeting where suffragette Amelia Sandhurst spoke.
This one single action sets off a firestorm in not only the King family home, but in the town of Avonlea collectively. Suddenly men and women were at each other’s throats and there were a lot of unhappy homes in Avonlea.
Throwing caution and family reputation to the wind, Janet passionately supports the feminist movement and begins helping Sandhurst in her efforts to gain at least fifty signatures from among Avonlea residents on a petition to take to the government demanding a woman’s right to vote.
Janet’s efforts to get votes for women bring up questions among residents about the working conditions and pay of the Avonlea Cannery employees.
I watched the show with my mom and much older sister, mainly during the years of elementary and middle school, and I have to say that before this episode aired I not only had no idea women were never allowed to vote, I also didn’t know men had ever been upset over us being allowed to — cause, I mean, what the heck, fellas?
Through reading Montgomery’s books, I did already know once upon a time women were denied an education. And honestly why not, it’s not like they needed one to vote or have a profession, am I right?
A teachable moment, I turned to my mom seeking denial, but I did not find it on her face.
Instead, my mother taught us about how it used to be in the “good old days.”
We learned why it was so important for us to get an education and where one could find themselves without it. We learned that at one time we could not vote or own property in the United States just because we were born women.
No matter how contentious the political rhetoric gets, I will always exercise my right to vote. Too many people have sacrificed too much for not only women, but also other marginalized members of society, to have the right, for me to ever be “too busy” or have something more important to do than vote.
I will always be grateful for this episode and the lessons my mother taught me because of it. Forever the rebel — burn your bra, Aunt Janet!