The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
This Friday, Oct. 18 marks Persons Day across our society. Emily Murphy stated in 1931: 'We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons.' The historic decision to include women in the legal definition of 'persons' was handed down by Canada's highest court of appeal _ the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain _ on Oct. 18, 1929. This gave women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life. Oct. 18 is now celebrated as Persons Day, and the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case are awarded each year in October to mark the historic Persons Case decision. The five women who pursued the case have become known as the Famous Five. They were journalists, magistrates and politicians. Their arduous legal quest, which began in 1927, resulted in a milestone victory _ a turning point for equality rights in Canada. In 1927 Emily Murphy and four other prominent Canadian women _ Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards _ asked the Supreme Court of Canada to answer the question: does the word 'person' in Section 24 of the B.N.A. Act include female persons? After five weeks of debate and argument, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that the word 'person' did not include women. The five women, who came to be known as The Famous Five, were shocked by the Supreme Court decision but did not give up the fight. They took their case to London, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, which in those days was Canada's highest court of appeal. Each October, Women's History Month celebrates the contributions women have made to shaping our nation, past and present. This year's theme _ Canadian Women Pioneers: Inspiring Change Through Ongoing Leadership _ highlights the history of women's participation in various fields, such as science, technology and trades, as well as in sectors as diverse as natural resources and construction. Today, increased awareness of different career options, along with developments in training and education, are helping more women and girls consider, prepare for and join these rewarding fields. _ Women's Resource Centre
