Agricultural representative, artist.
Born on the family farm at Petersfield on 30 March 1913, daughter of Harriet Wintemute and ? McConnell, she became the province’s first female agricultural representative in 1941. She received normal school training and her BSc (Agriculture) in Saskatoon and later attended Columbia University to complete a MA in co-operative extension.
After moving back to Manitoba, she joined the Dominion-Provincial Youth Training scheme as itinerant instructor. She remained in this role until 1939 when she moved to Dauphin for the extension service and eventually replaced the Dauphin district representative John Conner when he joined the Air Force. The province was slow to recognize McConnell and initially appointed her as “acting representative.” In May 1946, she received the full title.
As an agricultural representative, she was popular among residents and was praised for her contributions to junior clubs. She was highly involved in the Grub Club, which promoted varied and interesting meals among residents in the Dauphin district, especially those living in rural homes. Although McConnell did not consider herself a role model and in fact believed women should not become agricultural representatives, she did see a future for women in farm vocational guidance. During her time in Dauphin, she earned a reputation as an artist. She most commonly painted local subjects and portraits.
In 1948, she married Earl Jones Shiflet (1918-1995).
She died in April 1997 and was buried in the Union Presbyterian Cemetery at Churchville, Virgina.
Birth registration [Edna Malinda McConnell], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Only female farm advisor popular,” by Val Werier. Winnipeg Tribune, 13 January 1948.
Obituary [Earl Jones Shiflet], Richmond Times-Dispatch, 14 December 1995, page B2.
Obituary, Daily News Leader, 17 April 1997, page 2.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Sarah Ramsden.
Page revised: 16 May 2024
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