"a matter of principal" : female involvement in politics and labour at the lakehead, 1903-­1918” is an analysis of the role women played in the social, political, and labouring sphere at the canadian lakehead (comprised of the twin cities of port arthur and fort william, ontario – present day thunder bay) during the early twentieth century. through an analysis of the involvement of women in the workforce, strikes, and political organizations, it contends that a parallel narrative of female involvement in the lakehead’s labouring history exists between 1903 and 1918. during this period, women were involved in advocating for, and giving a voice to, both themselves and their sex in a largely male dominated area and era of influence.