Although she was born in Bresaylor, NWT in 1888, Mary spent most her life in the Fort Pitt district of Saskatchewan. She followed her mother into midwifery and had an extensive knowledge of medicine and nursing.
Side note about Mary's mother-according to Herstory her unnamed mother, who was Métis, worked with Elizabeth Scott Matheson (from my last post). Small world huh? .... Actually it isn't that surprising, the birthing world was and continues to be a small and fiercely dedicated group.
But back to Mary, who worked throughout the flu epidemic of 1914-1918, enjoyed curling, and was said to be an excellent ball player. I like her already!
The most poignant part of her story, and the part that I would most like to talk to her about, is the part where she allegedly stopped delivering babies once a district hospital was built in 1941. I would love to hear her thoughts on the loss of traditional midwifery and when she felt women lost our faith in our bodies. Not all women and not at all times but I'm sure she watch an erosion during her career.
Mary died in 1977 and I wonder if she would agree with me that her entire life was one brazen posture?
Yours in curiosity,
Shannon
PS
The only online reference (I recognize I could go to the actual library but this is all I've got at the moment) I can find for Mary Amirault. If you know more please share!
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