Simma Holt was a Canadian journalist, author, and the first Jewish woman elected to the House of Commons of Canada.
10 Facts About Simma Holt
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Partly due to male students at the University of Manitoba participating in the Second World War, Holt became the first female managing editor of the student newspaper The Manitoban and university correspondent for the Winnipeg Free Press.
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Simma Holt gained a reputation as a tough reporter by working in traditionally-male beats such as crime and waterfront reporting.
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Simma Holt's style was seen as tough advocacy or crusading investigative journalism in potentially-controversial topics such as prostitution.
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Simma Holt was one of only two women representing British Columbia.
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Simma Holt was defeated in the 1979 election and the 1980 election.
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Simma Holt did not enjoy her leave of absence from journalism to sit in Parliament and face anti-Semitism and anti-feminism.
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Simma Holt called Parliament a 'silly old boys' club' and a waste of time.
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In 1981, Simma Holt started a three-year term as a member of the National Parole Board.
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In 1996, Simma Holt was made a Member of the Order of Canada for her "lifetime commitment to assisting those suffering from injustice, persecution and poverty".