The 52: Exhibition
The 52: Exhibition Building on a multi-year research project, our
Myrtle Cook
McGowan
Image: Museum of Toronto.
Myrtle Cook McGowan was part of Canada’s first women’s track team in 1928 – setting the stage for a lifetime of sports leadership that transformed women’s professional sports in Canada.
1902 - 1985 | Journalist and Track & Field Olympian
Myrtle Cook McGowan, a Canadian track and field legend, achieved remarkable success as a sprinter in the 1920s. She astounded the world with a 12.0 second world record in the 100m race during the Olympic Trials in Halifax. As part of the “Matchless Six,” Canada’s first women’s track team, she made history by securing a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Throughout her illustrious career, Cook claimed six Canadian titles and set numerous records. After retiring, she embarked on a successful 44-year career as a sports journalist for the Montréal Daily Star.
McGowan was a pioneer for future female athletes on national and international stages.
Explore more women who transformed Toronto.
Explore More
Home Game: Toronto Loves Basketball
Our new exhibition tracing Toronto’s deep connection to basketball
Share this Article
Explore More
Content
The 52: Exhibition
The 52: Exhibition Building on a multi-year research project, our newest exhibition will celebrate the lives of 52 women who have shaped Toronto as we know it. Spanning from the
Home Game: Toronto Loves Basketball
Our new exhibition tracing Toronto’s deep connection to basketball
The 52: An Exhibition
Visit our newest exhibition.
For the Love of Toronto: Talking About Our City
Spend the evening in the heart of the city as we explore what it means to fall in, or out, of love with Toronto.
Beyond the Soil: AR Workshop for Creatives
Hosted by Oddside Arts, participants will learn from artists and creative technologists Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor.
Black Jewish Visions: A Short Film Screening of Periphery
This film explores multi-ethnic Jewish identity featuring narratives from Black Jewish Torontonians. Join us for a screening & conversation.
Filmmaker Panel & Screening: Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto
These 10 short films translate oral histories and personal narratives into films that speak to a diaspora and beyond.
[Un]Archiving Workshop
This workshop explores on archiving and the importance of documenting Black stories, voices, & experiences.
A Place for Community Archives: A Panel Discussion
A panel discussion about the growing importance of community archiving in our city.
Telling Our Own Stories: A Panel on Black-Led Archives
This engaging and informative panel discussion brings together experts from the field of Black archives.