Shortt, Elizabeth Smith (1859–1949)
Shortt, Elizabeth Smith (1859–1949)
Canadian physician. Name variations: Elizabeth Smith. Born Elizabeth Smith, Jan 18, 1859, at Mountain Hall, Vinemount, Canada; died Jan 14, 1949, in Ottawa, Canada; dau. of Isabella (McGee) Smith and Sylvester Smith (a Winona, Ontario-based farmer); m. Adam Shortt (professor), Dec 3. 1886; children: 3, including Muriel Shortt Clarke (fruit farmer) and Lorraine Shortt (social worker).
Began career as a teacher; graduated with the 1st class from Queen's University's Women's Medical College (1884); opened a private practice; served as president of the 1st YWCA in Canada; moved with family to Ottawa (1908), where she helped establish the Victorian Order of Nurses and the Women's Canadian Club; served as vice chair of Ottawa Provincial Board of Mother's Allowances, which helped fatherless families (1920–49).
See also V. Strong-Boag, ed. A Woman with a Purpose: The Diaries of Elizabeth Smith, 1872–1884 (U. of Toronto Press, 1980).