The 52: Stories of Women Who Transformed Toronto
52% of Torontonians are women. It's time we tell their
Clara Cynthia
Image: Myseum of Toronto.
As the first woman to graduate, complete a PhD, and teach in chemistry at the University of Toronto, Clara Cynthia Benson’s career of firsts transformed more than her scientific field.
1875 - 1964 | Chemist
In 1899, Clara Cynthia Benson made history as the first woman to graduate from the University of Toronto with a chemistry degree. In 1903, she achieved another milestone, being one of the first two women to earn a PhD at the University. Following her doctorate, Benson became one of the University’s first female professors, teaching at the Lillian Massey School of Domestic Science. During World War I, she made the remarkable discovery that the chemical properties of food and explosives could be analyzed using the same methods – revolutionizing munitions labs’ depth of analysis. Moreover, she played an active role in developing the University of Toronto’s women’s athletics program, serving as the Women’s Athletic Association’s inaugural president from 1921 until her retirement in 1945. The Clara Benson building, dedicated in her honour, remains a part of the university’s athletics facilities.
Benson’s impact lives on through the Canadian Society for Chemistry’s annual Clara Benson Award, presented to a woman whose work in chemistry has made a distinguished contribution in Canada.
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The 52: Stories of Women Who Transformed Toronto
52% of Torontonians are women. It's time we tell their stories.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA
Learn how --
Winners & Losers
Sports Histories of Toronto
Meet The 52
Explore the full list of 52 remarkable women that make up the foundation of our multi-year project.
Bianca Andreescu
Bianca Andreescu has raised the global profile of tennis for Canadians. As one of the youngest winners of a Grand Slam singles title, Andreescu is the highest-ranked Canadian in Women’s
Beatrice Worsley
Beatrice Worsley is recognized as Canada’s first female computer scientist. Her lifetime of research and work in the field were at the forefront of Canada’s burgeoning computer science sector.
Menaka Thakkar
Menaka Thakkar established Canada’s first professional Indian dance company in 1978. Thakkar blended different cultural dance styles to co-create a performance called “East Meets West” in which she bridged cultural
Kathleen Taylor
Kathleen Taylor breaks ground no matter what industry she stands in. An accomplished business leader, her career continues to break barriers and light the way for women at major corporate
Emily Stowe
Emily Stowe was a founder of the Canadian Women’s Suffrage Association and the first female physician to publicly practice medicine in Ontario.
Min Sook Lee
Min Sook Lee is an industry-recognized filmmaker who advocates for social justice at the intersection of art and social change through her films and professorship at OCAD University.