Taking up challenges in the fields of politics, medicine and social justice, women have worked (and continue to work) twice as hard for their place in society. And although we've seen historic changes like electing the first gender-balanced ministerial team in 2015, we still have a long way to go in terms of equality and diversity in politics, the pay gap and more.
But for Canada Day, it's time to look at the women who did make a difference.
To celebrate our country's 149th birthday, we took a glimpse at some incredible women who were firsts in their own respective fields. From the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature to the first unofficial female police officer in Nova Scotia, check out our list of 11 notable women who made Canadian history, with illustrations by Justine Marimla.
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Justine Marimla
Adrienne Clarkson
The First: Person of colour to be appointed Governor General, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. Clarkson took office from 1999 to 2005.
Notable achievement: In 2007, she became Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, making her the first Canadian to receive this title.
The First: Canadian woman and first South Asian Canadian to be named one of Forbes magazine's highest earning YouTubers in 2015. Superwoman earned a total of $2.5 million.
Notable achievement: In February, the 27-year-old Scarborough, Ont.-native released her first film "A Trip To Unicorn Island" about her 30-city world tour.
The First: Woman in Canada to serve as chief of a First Nation in 1952, according to the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA). Knott passed away in 1995 at the age of 73.
Notable achievement: She started an Ojibway language program at Ontario's Curve Lake First Nation school, which is still taught by her daughter today, AMMSA notes.
The First: Black woman in North America to publish a newspaper (The Provincial Freeman) and the first female publisher in Canada, Black History Canada says. Shadd was also the first black woman to get a degree from Howard University and the first black woman to vote in an election. She passed away in 1893, aged 69.
Notable achievement: Known as the "Wayne Gretzky of women's hockey," James, 51, joined team Canada at the inaugural Women's Championship and earned a gold medal after making 11 goals in five games, the Hockey Hall of Fame writes.
Notable achievement:Retiring at 77 (she's now 78) and dedicating a majority of her life to politics, she became Ontario's first Fairness Commissioner in 2007.
The First: Canadian woman licensed to practice medicine, according to Historica Canada. She passed away in 1921, aged 80.
Notable achievement: Trout, as well as Emily Stowe (the first female doctor to practice in Canada), both broke barriers to allow more women to work in a male-dominated medical world.
Notable achievement: With several achievements and awards in her name, the 72-year-old was also named one of the 100 greatest Canadians of all time by the CBC.
Get to know her more: Currently, Cools is an independent senator, but was a candidate for the Liberal party for 20 years. Read more about her work here.
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