LaFlamme, Sitter, Field talk Farmerettes' impact at Lucknow's Grassroots

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

Grassroots Pizza in Lucknow hosted a sold-out event on Thursday, July 17 featuring a panel discussion and meal focused on the contributions of Ontario’s wartime Farmerettes - young women who worked on farms during the Second World War.

 

Courtney Morrison, a family member of the farm owners, welcomed attendees and introduced the panelists: author and photographer Bonnie Sitter, documentary filmmaker Colin Field and journalist Lisa LaFlamme.

 

LaFlamme highlighted the unique courage of these women during the war. She said, “We always talk about the bravery and sacrifice of men fighting overseas, but this is another kind of courage, quietly unfolding in fields and barns across Ontario.” 
LaFlamme also reflected on the importance of telling stories about overlooked women, “Any story about unrecognized women in this country and in this world - of which there are too many - is so close to my heart.”

 

Sitter spoke about the moment that inspired her work on the Farmerettes. “I saw this little black-and-white photo of three girls, and it changed my life. That tiny picture altered how I see Canadian history,” she said. She described the difficult conditions the Farmerettes faced: “The farming was difficult but they had no choice.” Sitter also explained the dangers involved, noting, “It was hard work. And also very, very dangerous, especially hauling things at height. One girl from Clinton broke her pelvis falling from a ladder on her first day.”

 

Filmmaker Colin Field recalled the origins of the Farmerettes documentary project after a chance meeting with Sitter at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. “The whole time she was telling me her story, I was seeing the documentary play out in my head. And at the end, she said, ‘What I would really love... is to make a documentary,’” he said.

 

The evening also included remarks from former Farmerette Isobel Gibson, who shared firsthand accounts of her experiences during the war. Speaking to the crowd, Gibson offered personal insight into the challenges and camaraderie that defined her time in the fields, adding a living voice to the history being remembered.

 

The event included a wood-fired pizza meal and dessert. Copies of Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz, written by Sitter and Shirleyan English, were available for purchase.

 

Information about Field’s documentary film We Lend a Hand is available at welendahand.ca.