International Women’s Day

Aylmer woman candidate for new dollar bills

On March 8, International Women’s Day, federal finance minister, Bill Morneau, announced that the next series of dollar bills will feature one or more Canadian women. The minister said the government will hold online consultations for suggestions of Canadian women who might be so honoured.

Micheline Lemieux, the President of the Aylmer Heritage Association, promptly suggested Mary McConnell as a candidate.  Ms McConnell (1816-1887), the daughter of William McConnell, belonged to one of Aylmer’s pioneer families.  She managed some of her family’s affairs with her husband Robert Conroy.

The McConnell family built the British Hotel, bought the Auberge Symmes, built the sawmill in Deschênes and her husband Robert served as mayor of Aylmer twice. Mary McConnell herself managed the large family farm and helped develop the early industries of the Deschênes area.

“She was a formidable woman,” Lemieux said.  “They were a real power couple.”