Myrtle Cook Canada's Early Women Writers Daryn Wright Canada's Early Women Writers Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory Born digital English Born digital Life writing Biography Bibliography Myrtle Cook (1902-1985)

An Olympic athlete, Myrtle Cook enjoyed a long-time career as a sports journalist in Montreal.

 5 January 1902, Toronto, ON 18 March 1985, Elora, ON Name at birth: Myrtle Alice Cook Alternate names: Myrtle Cook McGowan Note

Writing was a very minor aspect of this woman’s life.

Entry written by Daryn Wright

 Myrtle Cook (1902-1985)

Born in Toronto in 1902 to Alfred James Cook (b. 1874) and Jennie Elizabeth Stokes (1881-1952), Myrtle Cook grew up taking part in various sporting activities, including tennis, hockey, and canoeing. She was recruited to the women's national track and field team at the age of fifteen, and was part of the "Matchless Six," a group of six women athletes who were the first to be allowed to compete in the track and field competition during the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam: Jane Bell, Ethel Catherwood, Myrtle Cook, Fanny "Bobbie" Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith, and Jean Thompson. Alongside Bobbie Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith, and Jane Bell, Myrtle was part of a movement of women athletes during the inter-war years who fought for equality in Canadian sports.

During the summer games, Myrtle won her team gold during the final part of the 4 x 100-metre relay. The "Matchless Six" finished the 1928 Olympics in the highest standing for the women's track and field teams, an impressive feat considering the controversy over their participation. A year later, Myrtle began a career as sportswriter for the Montreal Star, where she met her future husband journalist Lloyd McGowan (1902-1973). Her column, In the Women's Spotlight, ran for more than 40 years.

In addition to her journalistic pursuits, Myrtle continued to compete in 100-metre and 60-yard events until 1931. She helped establish the Toronto Ladies Athletic Club, served as Director of Athletics for the Canadian Ladies Athletic Club, and established a branch of the Club in Montreal. She continued to coach and fundraise for women's athletics and assisted in training military recruits during the Second World War. She is remembered as a pioneer of women's sports in Canada and as an important figure in the advocacy of women in athletics.

 Periodical Contributions Montreal Star Family and Relationships Father: Alfred James Cook (b. 15 February 1874) Mother: Jane (or Jennie) Elizabeth Stokes (1881 – 1952) Siblings Edward George Cook (b. 19 May 1905) Spouse: John Lloyd McGowan (28 October 1902 – 6 April 1973) Marriage: 1929, Montreal, QC Children Kenneth David McGowan (son) (3 September 1931 – 4 September 1997) Awards

Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1949)

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1955)

Temple de la Renommée du Panthéon de Sports du Québec (Quebec Sports Hall of Fame) (1974)

 Tangential Information

The Myrtle Cook Trophy for Young Athlete of the Year is awarded by Athletics Canada annually.

 Archival Holdings Published Resources 1911 Census of Canada. Canada, WWI CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918. Foisy, Paul. Myrtle Cook-McGowan. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Web. 24 August 2017. Hall, M. Ann. Alexandrine Gibb: In 'No Man's Land of Sport.' Freeing the Female Body: Inspirational Icons. eds. Fan Hong and J.A. Mangan (Portland, OR: Cass, 2001): 157. Hall, M. Ann. The Girl and The Game: A History of Women's Sport in Canada (Toronto: U of Toronto P, 2002). Jennie Elizabeth Stokes Cook. Find a Grave. Web. 24 August 2017. John Lloyd McGowan. Find a Grave. Web. 24 August 2017. Lang, Marjory. Women Who Made the News: Female Journalists in Canada, 1880-1945 (Montreal, QC: McGill-Queen’s UP, 1999): 256. Myrtle Cook. Celebrating Women's Achievements, Library and Archives Canada. Web. 24 August 2017. Ontario, Canada Births, 1858-1913.