Join us at the Summerland Museum for a presentation by military historian Kelsey Lonie on her new book "A Vacation for Victory: An Illustrated History of the Women's Land Army of Canada".

During both World Wars, women and girls across Canada were mobilized for farm work. Serving in orchards, fields, and on farms, the women and girls of Canada’s Women’s Land Army planted, picked, and packed food to sustain the nation while men fought overseas. Ontario recruited thousands of women. In British Columbia, the program started off slowly until women from Saskatchewan and Alberta joined in high numbers—many drawn by a mix of patriotism, opportunity, and adventure. One woman even ventured out to BC from as far away as Dartmouth, Nova Scotia!

Patriotic duty is only part of the story: farming was made complicated by price ceilings, increased production, and racial tensions. These pressures only intensified after the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Drawing on letters, newspapers, interviews, hundreds of photographs and works of art, and her own grandmother’s stories, Lonie restores visibility and value to the women who served their country on the farm front.

About the author:
Kelsey Lonie (BEd, MA History) was raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Saskatchewan, a setting that fostered her passion for the history of this province and the women who helped shape it. After nearly a decade as a classroom educator, she is now the Regimental Historian for the Royal Regina Rifles and the Executive Director and Chief Historian of RUSI Regina. Kelsey sits on the board of directors for the Organization of Military Museums Canada (OMMC) and acts as editor of its quarterly Bulletin. This is her second book.

Entry is by donation.

Seating is limited, so please arrive early to guarantee a seat.

The book will be available for purchase after the talk.