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Kathleen “Kit” Coleman: How Canada’s Early Presswoman Led the Way for Journalists Today

  • Jan 12, 2023
  • Canadiana
  • 4 minute read

Kathleen “Kit” Coleman, one of Canada’s most successful early presswomen, was a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word. Finding success despite adversity, Kit overcame the struggles of moving to a new country, single motherhood, and inequality to climb the rungs of a male-dominated industry and make a name for herself.

This year, we’re celebrating Kit Coleman on our 2023 Silver Proof Dollar in honour of the 125th anniversary of her becoming North America’s first accredited woman war correspondent. The coin is a tribute to an extraordinary woman who not only changed the media landscape of Canada, but left a lasting impression on the world of journalism.

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Photo: Kathleen Blake Coleman

Source: Library and Archives Canada/Kathleen Blake Coleman fonds/a164916

Kathleen “Kit” Coleman, one of Canada’s most successful early presswomen, was a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word. Finding success despite adversity, Kit overcame the struggles of moving to a new country, single motherhood, and inequality to climb the rungs of a male-dominated industry and make a name for herself.

This year, we’re celebrating Kit Coleman on our 2023 Silver Proof Dollar in honour of the 125th anniversary of her becoming North America’s first accredited woman war correspondent. The coin is a tribute to an extraordinary woman who not only changed the media landscape of Canada, but left a lasting impression on the world of journalism.

Kit’s Kingdom: The Journalism of Kathleen Blake Coleman by Dr. Barbara Freeman on a bookshelf
"Which is Kit?" illustration in Kit’s Kingdom: The Journalism of Kathleen Blake Coleman by Dr. Barbara Freeman
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