The 52: Stories of Women Who Transformed Toronto
52% of Torontonians are women. It's time we tell their
Myrtle Cook
Image: Myseum of Toronto.
Myrtle Cook McGowan was part of Canada’s first women’s track team in 1928 – setting the stage for a lifetime of sports leadership that transformed women’s professional sports in Canada.
1902 - 1985 | Journalist and Track & Field Olympian
Myrtle Cook McGowan, a Canadian track and field legend, achieved remarkable success as a sprinter in the 1920s. She astounded the world with a 12.0 second world record in the 100m race during the Olympic Trials in Halifax. As part of the “Matchless Six,” Canada’s first women’s track team, she made history by securing a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Throughout her illustrious career, Cook claimed six Canadian titles and set numerous records. After retiring, she embarked on a successful 44-year career as a sports journalist for the Montréal Daily Star.
McGowan was a pioneer for future female athletes on national and international stages.
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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.