Queen of the Maple Leaf: Beauty Contests and Settler Femininity

In twentieth-century Canada, beauty pageants became a business, but Queen of the Maple Leaf reveals how colonial power operated within the pageant circuit. Patrizia Gentile examines the interplay between local and national pageants, showcasing how they exemplified codes of femininity, class, sexuality, and race that shaped the settler nation's narratives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2021
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

In the vibrant tapestry of twentieth-century Canada, the realm of beauty blossomed into a thriving business. Yet, beauty pageants held a profound significance beyond mere entertainment. Queen of the Maple Leaf, a captivating documentary, unveils the intricate workings of colonial power within the pageant circuit. Patrizia Gentile delves into the fascinating interplay between local and community-based pageants and their counterparts at the provincial or national level. These competitions, such as Miss War Worker and Miss Civil Service, served as stepping stones to grander stages, offering aspiring participants a platform to showcase their talents and aspirations.

At every level, pageants embodied a complex tapestry of femininity, class, sexuality, and race that shaped the narratives of the settler nation. Take, for instance, a union-organized pageant like Queen of the Dressmakers, which aimed to uplift working-class women. However, it imposed stringent restrictions, excluding immigrant women from participating. Queen of the Maple Leaf adeptly showcases how these contests intertwined female bodies with respectable, wholesome, middle-class femininity, firmly anchoring their longevity within their ability to reassert the white heteropatriarchy at the core of settler societies.

Through its insightful exploration, Queen of the Maple Leaf sheds light on the multifaceted roles that beauty pageants played in shaping the identity and aspirations of the settler nation. It reminds us of the intricate connections between power, gender, and culture, and how these contests continue to resonate in contemporary society. This documentary is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex history and legacy of beauty pageants in Canada.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774864138