Career
During the First World War the family moved to Winnipeg. A self described left-wing Liberal May Birchard was a strong believer in the Canadian Social Gospel movement that originated in Winnipeg during the first part of the 20th century. In 1933, during the Great Depression, Birchard founded the The Good Neighbours" Club to aid unemployed mentor
A few years later a branch was opened in Toronto.
The organization continues to operate with a drop-in centre on Jarvis Street. She first served as a school board trustee in 1942.
At the height of the war she pushed for daycare for the children of women helping with the war effort for free meals for impoverished children. She was elected to Toronto City Council in 1946.
She represented Ward 2 which was a mixed area west of the Don River.
The northern part of the riding was Rosedale, the wealthiest part of the city. The southern part was Cabbagetown, the poorest part of the city. Thus Birchard"s career was marked by alternating victories and defeats on council campaigns.
On the council she pushed for women"s rights, most notably on improving access to birth control.
She was also an advocate for the poor and for more social housing, including strong support for the Regent Park project that was built in her ward in the era. In honour of her efforts a Toronto Community Housing Corporation building at Dundas and Broadview was named the May Birchard Apartments.
