The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
February Issue 112
Article Provided By: Marcy Field
If History or Herstory is Calling You – Take Action
Winners write history. More
accurately, history is about what stories are told and survive. Our province
has great herstory (intentional spelling). Alberta’s “Famous Five” changed the
law in the groundbreaking Persons Case. This resulted in a shift not only
in Alberta and Canada, but also globally throughout the British Empire.
Studies prove diversity in
decision-making brings greater success. The United Nations
reports women should hold at least 30% of elected seats for
a government to reflect women’s concerns. If you are interested in
participating more fully in the democratic process, consider running for office
on October 16, 2017. Alberta’s General Election takes place then and
municipalities elect new councils.
History
Saw Women Legally Recognized as Persons
Canadian history documents that in
mid-19th century, full citizenship was legally limited to men. By the end of
the century, laws across the country mandated near-universal, white male
citizenship at the federal and provincial level, explicitly excluding female
voters. The reason women are able to vote today is due to the Suffrage Movement
arising during this period. Women united and began to agitate for the vote as
well as social reform. They changed herstory.
Suffragettes boldly campaigned,
marched and petitioned so todays women across this great land enjoy the
privilege and have the right to make their own choices, share their
opinions, vote, work, and more freely pursue their dreams. This law
changed less than 100 years ago.
On October 18, 1929, a landmark
legal decision for Canadian women took place. Women were legally recognized as
“persons” under
British common law. The decision was made necessary because The British North
America Act, which governed Canada at the time, used the word “persons” when it
referred to more than one person and the word “he” when it referred to one
person. Those who wanted to keep women from being appointed as judges and
senators claimed women were ineligible for these positions because they weren’t
recognized as persons under the law.
Five Canadian women did not agree and
petitioned for change. The Supreme Court of Canada turned these Albertans down
saying “persons” did not include women. They persisted and took their petition
to the Privy Council of Britain, Canada’s highest court at the time. The Privy
Council ruled, “The exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of
days more barbarous than ours”.
Nellie McClung, one
of the Famous Five, stated, “Women are going to form a chain, a greater
sisterhood than the world has ever known.”
Herstory Still
Goes On
On January 21, 2017 millions of
women gathered for the Women's March. This happened despite differences of
location, nationality, faith, socio-economic status, age, and partisan
affiliations. They marched for different reasons, yet were united in
empathy and respect for women globally. Participation occurred on all
seven continents. It is perhaps the largest activist march ever.
People marched in the footsteps of
others. They saw past privilege and beyond themselves.
Participants respected and heard divergent voices. Common values, such as
family and freedom, brought them together. The unique
Individuality existing in each was
honoured and embraced. Some were uncomfortable and felt unsafe, yet
participated as they recognized the significance of this moment in time. They
left stronger, more confident and willing to let others feel uncomfortable with
the fact these women are “on fire.”
Henrietta Muir Edwards, another
member of the Famous Five, was 78 years old when the petition was signed and
forwarded to Ottawa. Your most important work is always ahead of you, whatever
your age, never behind you.
Some women are
lost in the fire. Some are built from it. If you’re one of the later and
interested in knowing more: Check out #ReadyForHer, Alberta’s online guide for women running for
office or feel free to contact me.
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