The Pleasures and Perils of Feminist Tributes—Canada

This article highlights influential scholars and developments in women’s and gender history through an analysis of the phenomenon of feminist tributes to senior scholars, often at the cusp of their retirement. In Canada, as elsewhere, we argue, such tributes have both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, feminist tributes, as this article itself illustrates for the Canadian context, allow us to recognize and reflect on the impressive work accomplished over the past forty years. These tributes are not without their problems, however, and we also outline some of the pitfalls, as well as unevenness, of these celebrations, highlighting, for instance, the paradox of valorizing individual accomplishment at the expense of a more collective, and accurate, narrative.