Dorothy Gretchen Steeves

Dorothy Gretchen Steeves (1891–1978[1]) was a Dutch-born political figure in British Columbia. She represented North Vancouver in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1934 to 1945 as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member.

She was born Dorothy Gretchen Biersteker in Amsterdam and was educated there, receiving a Bachelor of Laws degree from Leiden University. During World War I, she was legal adviser to a Dutch government rationing bureau. She married Rufus Palmer Steeves, an officer in the Canadian Army, and came to Vancouver, British Columbia in January 1919.[1] Steeves was a founding member of the CCF.[2] She ran unsuccessfully as a CCF candidate in the provincial riding of Vancouver-Point Grey in the 1933 general election. Steeves was first elected to the provincial assembly in a 1934 by-election held following the death of Harley Christian Erskine Anderson. She was reelected twice and then defeated when she ran for reelection in 1945.[3] Steeves went on to serve in CCF executives at the provincial and federal levels.[1] She ran unsuccessfully as a CCF candidate in the federal riding of Burnaby—Richmond in 1949[4] and as an NDP candidate in the federal riding of Vancouver Quadra in 1963.[5] Her interests included civil liberties, international affairs, nuclear disarmament, protection of animals, women's issues and abolition of capital punishment.[2]

Steeves wrote The Compassionate Rebel : Ernest E. Winch and his times, published in 1960, and Builders and Rebels : A short History of the CCF from 1932 to 1961.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Dorothy Gretchen Steeves, 1891-1978" (PDF). University of British Columbia. April 1976. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  2. 1 2 "Dorothy Gretchen Steeves fonds". British Columbia Archival Information Network. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  3. ↑ "Electoral History of British Columbia, 1871-1986" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  4. ↑ "Burnaby--Richmond, British Columbia (1947 - 1970)". History of Federal Ridings since 1867. Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  5. ↑ "Vancouver Quadra, British Columbia (1947 - )". History of Federal Ridings since 1867. Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 2011-11-05.


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