The Government of Saskatchewan has pronounced March as Rural Women’s Month for the province.
Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said “while the make-up of rural Saskatchewan has change considerably over the past century, the importance of rural women to the growth and development of this province and the agriculture industry remains as significant as ever.”
The hopes of Rural Women’s Month is to raise awareness and recognize the contribution of rural woman to the province’s past and future development.
“Rural women have made a major contribution to the success of our province’s economic and social development,” Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for the Status of Women June Draude said. “This month we celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of rural woman past and present.”
As part of Rural Women’s Month in Saskatchewan, Triangle News salutes Jackie Marshall, local pharmacist/busi
ness woman, farm wife and mother.
Jackie moved from Watrous to a farm 10 miles North of Coronach in 1983 with her mother, Charmaine, and stepfather Murray Setrum. Jackie commented on how exciting the move to Coronach. “I had never lived on a farm and I was going to get my own horse, a dream for a young girl.” said Marshall Jackie did say that both her grandparents lived on farms in Esterhazy so rural life was not completely foreign to her.
In 1990, Jackie and her parents moved to town but kept the farm going.
Jackie attended Coronach School and graduated in 1992. After which, she moved to Saskatoon to take pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan. She obtained her pharmacy degree in 1992.
Soon after, Jackie and her husband, Big Beaver local, Clint Marshall, moved back to Jackie’s parents farm outside of Coronach. Jackie got a job working for Coronach Pharmacy and Clint, got a job at the mine as a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic. Clint is now an Equipment Operated for Sherritt Coal.
Jackie and Clint knew they wanted to move back to Coronach, “it was ‘home’ to us” she says. They knew they wanted to put down roots and raise their family in a familiar, safe and stable environment close to both family and friends, people they knew and trusted. Jackie goes on to say “a rural community is more safe, stable and friendlier than an urban community; members of the community look out for one another!”
Jackie and Clint were married in 1997. They have three boys, Liam 10, Orrin 9 and Kyler who is 3. Jackie said it was definitely a choice to move back to a rural community. They knew they wanted to raise their family back where they were raised with a similar farm up-bringing.
In 2005, Jackie and Clint, purchased Maisie Chartrand’s farm located only a mile South of Clint’s parents’ farm. The farm only consisted of a well, power and phone line. Together they have moved an RTM on the place, built a barn and are currently constructing corrals.
Jackie and Clint are ranchers; they currently have 90 head of cattle. They are in the midst of building up their herd as we speak.
Jackie grew up on a mixed farm/ranch. Murray farmed as well as had cattle. Jackie said she was lucky not to have a lot of chores growing up. That is not to say she didn’t help out; she helped with yard work, gardening and dealt with the cattle for sorting, branding, tagging, vaccinating, etc.
Jackie did go on to say that her mother was a very active farm wife, as well as a nurse here at the Coronach Health Centre. Jackie credits her mother for her own success as a farm wife and working mother.
Clint’s parents farm and ranch. Jackie and Clint work closely with Clint’s parents. They work together getting all the work done on both farms. The two farms are close enough that working together is beneficial but far enough away that they both still have their own space.
When Coronach Pharmacy closed down in 2006. Jackie started her own business, Poplar River Pharmacy. Jackie said, “It’s rewarding being your own boss.” Jackie explains it’s a nice feeling knowing you built your business from scratch.
Jackie contributes her successful business to the great community support and the residents’ devotion.
Jackie states that jobs are limited in certain fields for woman in rural communities. She finds herself fortunate, as a pharmacist was needed in Coronach when she graduated university.
Jackie does say that accessibility to certain services is challenging at times. “Coronach is quite a ways away from any large centre, so hour-plus trips in the vehicle are a normal part of our lives.”
Since Coronach is currently with out a doctor, Jackie is grateful to the locals for being so dedicated and loyal to her. Jackie explains that people will bring their prescriptions back to her or transfer refills down to her.
She goes on to say that as a business owner you rely on the community for your livelihood. Jackie states that community support is just one benefit of rural life.
Jackie went on to comment on the new legislation giving pharmacists prescriptive authority. Jackie states the prescriptive ability is limited. She explains that she can only write prescriptions for continuous regular therapy.
Meaning she can write a one month refill for prescription medication that a patient has been on for a frequent and constant amount of time. The new legislation gives Jackie the ability to also prescribe medication in an emergency situation.
For example, a patient is in need of a refill of their migraine medication or asthma inhalant and cannot get into see a doctor; Jackie would have the authority to prescribe them the medications they require.
Jackie does explain that she does have to make the patient’s doctor aware of all prescriptions she issues. She states that the she still must be in constant communication with the doctors and that her prescriptive abilities are limited.
She is excited about a new course, which will allow pharmacist to write prescriptions for minor ailments. Jackie is not yet sure of the details or what minor ailments include. She explains that this ability, although, not here yet, is in the works.
Jackie is excited about the new authority. She thinks this will be very beneficial to rural communities, especially a community like Coronach’s, one without a doctor.
When asked what advice she would have for young rural woman Jackie said “follow your dreams and live your life to the fullest! I love it when young people move back to the community and decide to stay because I know how fulfilling and rewarding rural life can be.”
Jackie explains that the best thing she did when she was young was to move away from Coronach and experience urban life. She said, “it made me appreciate what I left behind and helped me to decide where I wanted to put down my roots!”
Jackie and Clint love being down in the Coronach/Big Beaver area where the atmosphere is friendly, inviting and safe and where they have both community and parental support. They couldn’t imagine life anywhere else.
trianglenews@sasktel.net
