The Ennis Sisters | Tapestry
Opera on the Avalon is proud to share the official first release of Tapestry, featuring the iconic Ennis Sisters and their powerful new song, “Wildfire.”
This project commemorates 100 years since women in Newfoundland and Labrador won the right to vote — a milestone made possible by courage, organization, and an unwavering belief in equality. “Wildfire” embodies the essence of Tapestry: a celebration of women’s voices that have burned brightly through time, shaping the path for the generations that follow.
This first chapter reflects the women of that era and the legacy they set in motion. Tapestry honours the women who came before — community leaders, artists, activists, and everyday trailblazers whose courage continues to inspire. This video is dedicated to the women who won the right to vote in Newfoundland in 1925, and to the women across this province who have led, laboured, created, and endured. To the women of today. To those who will follow.
As Tapestry continues to unfold, it will share stories of women past and present whose lives represent the breadth and evolving story of Newfoundland and Labrador. Where once they stood, we stand.
With heartfelt thanks to the Perlin Family Trust, Heritage Canada – Commemorate Canada, and the Congregation of Sisters of Mercy for supporting Tapestry and helping us honour the voices, courage, and legacy of women across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Photo Credits in Order of Appearance:
–
1) “Women and children” ca. 1955, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Newfoundland.
2) “Photograph of Alice Eddy, Juliana Eddy, Beatrice Eddy, and Minnie Eddy outside a house in Garden Cove, NL” year unknown, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Newfoundland.
3) “Photo of Carolyn Frances Hayward”, still image sourced from Terra Nova Matadora (documentary film), directed by Rhonda Buckley, associate director Christian Banqueiro. Courtesy of the filmmakers.
4) Creates, Marlene. Josephine Kalleo, Labrador 1988. Black and white photograph, 11 x 53 inches. Art Gallery of Newfoundland & Labrador, St John's, Newfoundland.
5) “Louise Saunders with YWCA Group” 1930s, photographer unknown, Courtesy of Greenspond Historical Society.
6) “Elizabeth Penashue” SaltWire Network File Photo Photo by SaltWire Network /SaltWire Network.
7) “Vera Perlin & Child” year unknown, photo sourced from The Vera Perlin Society, Newfoundland.
8) “Avalon Ladies Curling Club, St. John's, Newfoundland”, 1906, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item 1.13.02.002), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
9) “Photo of Joan Morrissey”, courtesy of the Joan Morrissey Facebook page.
10) “Georgina Ann Stirling” Courtesy of archives and special Collections (Coll-251), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s.
11) “Newfoundland Suffragists” ca. 1920s, Courtesy of Gertrude Crosbie and Archives and Special Collections (Collection 158), Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL.
12) “Mrs. A.B. [Elizabeth Vera] Perlin and daughter, Ann Elizabeth”, 1930, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 16-14), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
13) “Red Cross workers at Government House”, February 1917, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item F 25-30), Newfoundland.
14) “Women stacking fish”, before 1949, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item IGA 18-76), Labrador.
15) “Elsie Holloway: self-portrait”, 1910s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item D-148), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
16) “A group of suffragists on Water Street, St. John's”, ca. 1920, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Collection MG 786, Item A 138-129), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
17) “Women's sewing circle”, 1940s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item A 34-19), Newfoundland.
18) “Married Sister's Xmas [Christmas] Meeting”, 1961, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item IGA 14-154), Newfoundland and Labrador.
19) “Women on a fish flake, Salvage”, c.a 1900, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 36-52), Newfoundland.
20) “Every day is wash day”, between 1 Sept. and 8 Dec. 1944, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item NA 26693.1), Newfoundland.
21) “Alice Boland spinning outside house”, 1938, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series VA 6, Item VA 6-35), Ferryland, Newfoundland.
22) “Women working in the loom room”, ca. 1925, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Sub-series, Item C 8-8), Newfoundland.
23) “Women's sewing circle”, 1940s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item A 34-19), Newfoundland.
24) “Girl Guides on parade, Water Street”, 1 July 1924, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 35-1), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
25) “Red Cross workers at Government House”, February 1917, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item F 25-30), Newfoundland.
26) “Photo of Cecilia Ennis”, photo provided by Teresa Ennis.
27) “Fannie McNeil seen with her husband, Hector, and daughters Betty and Margaret”, ca. 1910, Courtesy of Archives and Special Collections (William Knowling, Collection MF-276), Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL.
28) “Photo of Margaret Hickman, R.N”, photo provided by Cheryl Hickman.
29) “Photo of Mary Walsh”, photo provided by Mary Walsh.
30) Demonstration staged at the Offices of the Secretary of State, St. John's, 1990
Successful demonstration to restore funding for women's centres across Canada.
© 1990, St. John's Women's Centre.
31) “A group of suffragists on Water Street, St. John's”, ca. 1920, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Collection MG 786, Item A 138-129), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
32) “Two girls outside (possibly sisters)”, year unknown, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Labrador.
33) “Josephina Kalleo and Harriet Kalleo”, between 1960-1962, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Sub-series, Item IGA 14-15), Labrador.
This project commemorates 100 years since women in Newfoundland and Labrador won the right to vote — a milestone made possible by courage, organization, and an unwavering belief in equality. “Wildfire” embodies the essence of Tapestry: a celebration of women’s voices that have burned brightly through time, shaping the path for the generations that follow.
This first chapter reflects the women of that era and the legacy they set in motion. Tapestry honours the women who came before — community leaders, artists, activists, and everyday trailblazers whose courage continues to inspire. This video is dedicated to the women who won the right to vote in Newfoundland in 1925, and to the women across this province who have led, laboured, created, and endured. To the women of today. To those who will follow.
As Tapestry continues to unfold, it will share stories of women past and present whose lives represent the breadth and evolving story of Newfoundland and Labrador. Where once they stood, we stand.
With heartfelt thanks to the Perlin Family Trust, Heritage Canada – Commemorate Canada, and the Congregation of Sisters of Mercy for supporting Tapestry and helping us honour the voices, courage, and legacy of women across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Photo Credits in Order of Appearance:
–
1) “Women and children” ca. 1955, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Newfoundland.
2) “Photograph of Alice Eddy, Juliana Eddy, Beatrice Eddy, and Minnie Eddy outside a house in Garden Cove, NL” year unknown, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Newfoundland.
3) “Photo of Carolyn Frances Hayward”, still image sourced from Terra Nova Matadora (documentary film), directed by Rhonda Buckley, associate director Christian Banqueiro. Courtesy of the filmmakers.
4) Creates, Marlene. Josephine Kalleo, Labrador 1988. Black and white photograph, 11 x 53 inches. Art Gallery of Newfoundland & Labrador, St John's, Newfoundland.
5) “Louise Saunders with YWCA Group” 1930s, photographer unknown, Courtesy of Greenspond Historical Society.
6) “Elizabeth Penashue” SaltWire Network File Photo Photo by SaltWire Network /SaltWire Network.
7) “Vera Perlin & Child” year unknown, photo sourced from The Vera Perlin Society, Newfoundland.
8) “Avalon Ladies Curling Club, St. John's, Newfoundland”, 1906, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item 1.13.02.002), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
9) “Photo of Joan Morrissey”, courtesy of the Joan Morrissey Facebook page.
10) “Georgina Ann Stirling” Courtesy of archives and special Collections (Coll-251), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s.
11) “Newfoundland Suffragists” ca. 1920s, Courtesy of Gertrude Crosbie and Archives and Special Collections (Collection 158), Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL.
12) “Mrs. A.B. [Elizabeth Vera] Perlin and daughter, Ann Elizabeth”, 1930, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 16-14), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
13) “Red Cross workers at Government House”, February 1917, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item F 25-30), Newfoundland.
14) “Women stacking fish”, before 1949, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item IGA 18-76), Labrador.
15) “Elsie Holloway: self-portrait”, 1910s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item D-148), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
16) “A group of suffragists on Water Street, St. John's”, ca. 1920, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Collection MG 786, Item A 138-129), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
17) “Women's sewing circle”, 1940s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item A 34-19), Newfoundland.
18) “Married Sister's Xmas [Christmas] Meeting”, 1961, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item IGA 14-154), Newfoundland and Labrador.
19) “Women on a fish flake, Salvage”, c.a 1900, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 36-52), Newfoundland.
20) “Every day is wash day”, between 1 Sept. and 8 Dec. 1944, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item NA 26693.1), Newfoundland.
21) “Alice Boland spinning outside house”, 1938, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series VA 6, Item VA 6-35), Ferryland, Newfoundland.
22) “Women working in the loom room”, ca. 1925, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Sub-series, Item C 8-8), Newfoundland.
23) “Women's sewing circle”, 1940s, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Series, Item A 34-19), Newfoundland.
24) “Girl Guides on parade, Water Street”, 1 July 1924, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item E 35-1), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
25) “Red Cross workers at Government House”, February 1917, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Item F 25-30), Newfoundland.
26) “Photo of Cecilia Ennis”, photo provided by Teresa Ennis.
27) “Fannie McNeil seen with her husband, Hector, and daughters Betty and Margaret”, ca. 1910, Courtesy of Archives and Special Collections (William Knowling, Collection MF-276), Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL.
28) “Photo of Margaret Hickman, R.N”, photo provided by Cheryl Hickman.
29) “Photo of Mary Walsh”, photo provided by Mary Walsh.
30) Demonstration staged at the Offices of the Secretary of State, St. John's, 1990
Successful demonstration to restore funding for women's centres across Canada.
© 1990, St. John's Women's Centre.
31) “A group of suffragists on Water Street, St. John's”, ca. 1920, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Collection MG 786, Item A 138-129), St. John’s, Newfoundland.
32) “Two girls outside (possibly sisters)”, year unknown, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, Labrador.
33) “Josephina Kalleo and Harriet Kalleo”, between 1960-1962, Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (Sub-series, Item IGA 14-15), Labrador.