Who was Armine Nutting Gosling?

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A leader with wide sympathies, Armine Nutting Gosling (1861-1942) campaigned for votes for women, first in St. John's where in 1921 a limited property-based franchise was instituted. Describing this as a "stepping stone to greater things" she then led the island-wide Women's Franchise League to victory in 1925. She also provided leadership to child welfare, maternal health and animal rights movements, and reforms in girl's education and women's sports.
No class, or race, or sex can have its interests attended to...
​unless it is represented by direct suffrage."

Why this initiative is vital

Sharing the “herstory” of a woman of distinction, whose work helped shape the lives of those choosing a different path from tradition, will inspire others to take bold steps in forging their own life trajectory. Weaving the significant contributions of women back into our historical narrative is a critical stepping stone to equality and towards balanced representation.

Let's come together to share her story - as individuals:

We will be led through the journey of Armine's recognition, together as a community, by women who occupy roles that were almost unheard of during the time of her life 100 years ago. 

Let's come together as a community to "raise her up" on 2,000 metaphorical 'blocks' purchased by individuals. You can purchase one or many. Donors will be listed online in perpetuity, linked through a QR code which will appear on the statue's interpretive sign.
Each 'block' is $25 - you can buy one or more, as a one-time or a monthly donation.

Custom dedications to the special women in your life are a popular option - in memoriam, for birthdays, or holiday presents - dedicators will be emailed a link to download a custom certificate suitable for printing and gifting.

Every purchase receives a charitable tax receipt.

Contribute - as a corporation:

  • Company logo on the statue's interpretive sign in the popular Bannerman Park
  • A private lecture from a renowned historian for clients and staff
  • Logo included in promotional material for statue unveiling (evites, website, print)
  • Opportunity to host company employees and clients at the statue's unveiling
and more - click here to download the corporate information package.

Project progress to date

The Gosling Statue project officially launched in August 2022 with an announcement of $100,000 in support from the Department of Canadian Heritage and an unveiling of the maquette designed by statue artist Sheila Coultas, in partnership with the Newfoundland Bronze Foundry. The full sized statue will be cast in bronze and is planned for erection in Bannerman Park in the summer of 2023. 

Learn more from the statue's announcement on NTV. 
Land Acknowledgement 

We respectfully acknowledge the land on which we gather as the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk [bee-oth-uck], whose culture has been lost forever and can never be recovered. We also acknowledge the island of Ktaqmkuk [uk-dah-hum-gook] (Newfoundland) as the unceded, traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi'kmaq [mee-gum-maq]. And we acknowledge Labrador as the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Innu [in-new] of Nitassinan [ne-tass-eh-nen], the Inuit [in-new-eet] of Nunatsiavut [nu-nat-see-ah-vut], and the Inuit of NunatuKavut [nu-nah-tuhk-ah-vut]. We recognize all First Peoples who were here before us, those who live with us now, and the seven generations to come. As First Peoples have done since time immemorial, we strive to be responsible stewards of the land and to respect the cultures, ceremonies, and traditions of all who call it home. As we open our hearts and minds to the past, we commit ourselves to working in a spirit of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all. 

Our humble thanks to First Light for sharing this land acknowledgement within our community and providing valued guidance to many organizations such as ours. You can learn more by visiting their website at firstlight.ca.