School Profile
Roberta MacAdams School is excited to welcome new families each school year. Located in the community of Blackmud Creek, the school offers regular programming for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6.
Meet our amazing school name honouree
Roberta MacAdams (Price) (July 21, 1880 – December 16, 1959)
Roberta Catherine MacAdams was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1880. After graduating from the Macdonald Institute in Guelph, she moved to Edmonton to work for the Alberta Department of Agriculture. In 1912, she became Superintendent of Domestic Science for the Edmonton Public School Board and was responsible for introducing classes in cooking skills.
Miss MacAdams enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1916. She wore the uniform of a nursing sister, but was commissioned as a lieutenant. As a dietician, she ran the kitchen of the Ontario Military Hospital in England.
In 1917, the Alberta Military Representation Act provided for the overseas election of two Soldiers' Representatives to the Alberta Legislature. Twenty male candidates decided to contest these seats. Disappointed there weren't any women in this election, Miss MacAdams was encouraged to run. A very effective campaign poster was designed with the slogan "Give one vote to the man of your choice and the other to the sister."
Miss MacAdams was successful and became the second woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta after Louise McKinney. She was also the first woman in the British Empire to introduce legislation for debate; a bill to incorporate the War Veterans' Next-of-Kin Association.
In 1920 she married Harvey Stinson Price and did not seek re-election in 1921. After moving to Calgary with her husband and son, she continued to be involved in many women's and educational organizations until her death in December 1959.
On March 16, 1967, her portrait was presented to the Alberta Legislature to honour her achievements. In her biography of Roberta MacAdams, Debbie Marshall’s words capture many of these achievements:
"Roberta left behind a legacy that would have a long-term impact on Canadian society. Before and during her time in office, she had provided tangible aid and support to the rural women who helped settle the Canadian West. She (along with many others) laid some of the groundwork for government measures to meet the needs of soldiers and their families…. Most important, by running successfully for office, Roberta MacAdams helped push open the door to women’s participation in politics” p. 270.
Edmonton Journal columnist, Paula Simons, wrote a piece highlighting Roberta MacAdams in August 2014. This was prior to the naming of Roberta MacAdams School. You can read the item here.