Born: 1920 (Saint John, New Brunswick)
Died: 2019
Biography:
Velma Demerson (September 4, 1920 May 13, 2019) was a Canadian woman who played a significant role in challenging the unjust treatment faced by women in Canada during the mid-20th century. Her experience of being imprisoned in 1939 for being in a relationship with a Chinese immigrant not only shaped her own life but also sparked her lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and social justice.
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Demerson came from a family of Greek ancestry. After her parents divorced, she moved to Toronto with her mother and lived in a rooming house on Church Street. Her mother supported the family by managing the house and practicing fortune-telling in the parlour under the name Madam Alice. Meanwhile, her father remained in Saint John and achieved success as a restaurateur.
At the age of 18, Demerson met Harry Yip, a Chinese immigrant, in a café where he worked as a waiter. They began dating, and she eventually moved in with him. However, when her father discovered their relationship, he traveled from Saint John to Toronto seeking the intervention of the police.
Demerson’s life took a dramatic turn when she was arrested at the home she shared with Yip. Two constables, accompanied by her father, entered the apartment and pointed out Demerson, leading to her arrest. She was pregnant with Yip’s child at the time. Demerson was charged with being incorrigible under the Female Refuges Act of 1897, a law that allowed for the arrest and institutionalization of women aged 16 to 35 for various reasons, including promiscuity, pregnancy out of wedlock, public drunkenness, prostitution, and vagrancy.
Despite being a white Canadian woman of European ancestry, Demerson was incarcerated at the Mercer Reformatory for Women in Toronto for ten months solely for consorting with a Chinese man. The Ontario law, which remained in effect until 1964, targeted women who challenged societal norms and subjected them to unjust treatment.
While imprisoned, Demerson gave birth to her son, Harry Jr., who was taken away from her at just three months old. During her time at the reformatory, she endured involuntary medical procedures inflicted upon her by a doctor. These procedures, carried out without her consent, were part of the so-called reformatory system and deeply traumatized her.
Demerson’s experiences during her imprisonment and the subsequent loss of her son had a profound impact on her life. In her sixties, she found the strength to share her story with the world by writing the book Incorrigible, which detailed the injustices she faced and the struggles of other women who were incarcerated under similar circumstances.
In her later years, Demerson became a dedicated advocate for an apology and restitution for all women who had been unjustly imprisoned under the Female Refuges Act. She campaigned tirelessly to shed light on the injustices faced by these women and worked towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society.
Demerson’s efforts finally bore fruit when, in her eighties, she received an official apology and compensation from the government for the injustices she endured. Her perseverance and determination not only brought about justice for herself but also paved the way for other women who had suffered similar fates.
In addition to her advocacy work, Demerson also wrote and self-published a historical fiction book titled Nazis in Canada in her nineties. This book explored the experiences of women, including herself, who were subjected to unusual and unethical medical treatments while confined in the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women.
Velma Demerson’s life serves as a shining example of resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of those who fight for justice. Her unwavering determination to challenge social norms and seek justice for herself and others has left an indelible mark on women’s history in Canada.
Awards:
– Official apology and compensation from the Canadian government for the injustices she endured during her imprisonment