“I Was the Only Woman”

A compelling new perspective on Canada’s planning history that offers a counter-narrative to the “official” story of the profession, one that has generally overlooked the contributions of women and the Community Planning Association of Canada.

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“I was the only woman.” These words appear again and again in the stories of women planners working in Canada from the 1940s to the 1970s. Despite their small numbers, women were active in key planning organizations, but their contributions have been largely overlooked.

Through archival research and interviews, Sue Hendler tells the stories of women who were active in the Community Planning Association of Canada and the Town Planning Institute of Canada (later called the Canadian Institute of Planners). This book expands our understanding of what constitutes “planning” and who counts as “planners,” highlighting the role “non-professionals” played in community planning.

This compelling new perspective on Canada’s planning history provides an important counter-narrative to the “official” story of the profession. It challenges us to re-evaluate not only the profession’s past, but also its role in creating a more inclusive and equitable future.