Elsie Cassels

Client Meet The Street
Date August 2021
Location Red Deer Behind City Roast Coffee

I chose to depict a portrait of Elsie Cassesls (February 1864 - 12 November 1938) because she was an important female figure in the history of Red Deer. She was a naturalist who dabbled in ornithology, and became the first female to become Vice President of a Canadian naturalist society. I have surrounded her portrait with birds and botany to reflect her life work.

I think it’s important to take the opportunity to highlight lives of marginalized individuals so that it might inspire those who can connect with the story as well as normalize their presence to create awareness as well as strive for equality, which is why I chose to depict this female figure who was a great feminist of her time. Elsie chose to work in a field she was passionate about even though most of her colleagues were men.