A Report On Emily Murphy's 'Famous Five'
Prince Dang
Mr. Hergott
CHC-2DI
Period 1 January 17, 2014
The Famous Five
Background Information
The ‘Famous Five’ was a group of 5 women that strived for the equality of women. Before they came together they each did something that helped or protected women’s’ rights. Emily Murphy was a suffragist, writer and reformer. She helped create The Married Women’s Protective Act in 1911 by defending the right of wives to share ownership of their husband’s property. In 1916 she became the first female magistrate (judge) which gave her a big image in Alberta. Many organizations and individuals wanted her to become senate but it was not possible due to the biased BNA (British North America Acts) declarations deeming that women …show more content…
are not ‘qualified persons’. After this she sought out 4 women with similar determination and idealism; Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, and Irene Parlby. Louise McKinney was an organizer and supporter for the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) which protected woman and children from alcohol.
She also supported the first Dower Act which allowed women the right to prevent the sale or mortgage of her home without her knowledge. Later on she was the first woman elected to sit as a member of a Legislative Assembly in the British Empire. Nellie McClung was a suffragette, reformer, journalist and writer. She was a leader in the fight to enfranchise women in North America. She was a big influence in the enfranchisement of woman in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. She then became a Liberal member of the Alberta legislature for Edmonton. Henrietta was a legal expert and an artist. In 1893 she helped establish the National Council of Women of Canada which improves the quality of life for women, families and society. She also published Canada’s first women magazine. Irene Parlby was an advocate for rural women in Alberta. She was elected to the Alberta legislature in 1921 and became the first female cabinet minister in Alberta. She improved the lives of women and children using her influence as a cabinet minister. They all came together to petition the ruling that women are not “qualified persons” in Section 24 of the BNA act. Eventually they succeeded …show more content…
by asking them “does the word ‘person ' in Section 24 of The British North America Act include female persons?” (Source 1). Now women are considered “qualified persons” and able to become senators.
The “Persons” case was a huge achievement for women as it meant that women have the same rights as men and would be equal to men in terms of political positions.
The “Persons” case was a historically significant because it affected a lot of people, it led to other important events, and it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. To begin with, this event is historically significant because it affected a lot of people. This is evident because it affected all women in Canada. The case gave all women equal rights as men in regard to political appointments. In other words it gave women the potential to become something that they never could have before and it put them one step closer to equality with men. All women in Canada thought of this as a new opportunity to pursue something new in their life. Not only did it affect a lot of people but it also led to other important events. The “Persons” case established that women are “eligible persons” under the law so they are able to become senator and eventually other positions in politics as well. As a result of this it allowed Cairine Wilson to become the first female senator in Canada. In addition it allowed other women later on to become senators and to become even more important positions in politics. The “Persons” case was a first step into politics for women and many more important steps were taken later
on. Lastly, the “Persons” case is historically significant because it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. This is obvious because women are more involved in politics then they have ever been in history. Today about 38% of women are involved in the upper house or senate and about 25% in the lower house. This is only because the Famous Five took a leap of faith and took the first step into politics for women. Without the “Persons” case women would have never played a part in politics. Women are become more and more men in politics and someday women will be the leaders of this world all because of the Famous Five. All things considered, the “Persons” case is a historically significant event because it affected a lot of people, it led to other important events and it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. The “Persons” case changed the history of women for the good. It’s scary to think that without the Famous Five women would never be the same as they are today.
Work Cited
1. Contributors. "The Famous Five (Canada)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Famous_Five_(Canada)>.
2. Benoit, Monique. "Common Menu Bar Links." ARCHIVED. Library and Archives Canada, 21 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. <http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/015/002/015002-2100-e.html>.
3. Munroe, Susan. "The Persons Case." About.com Canada Online. About.com, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/women/a/personscase.htm>
4. "The Famous 5 Women." Famous5.ca. Famous 5 Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. <http://www.famous5.ca/index.php/the-famous-5-women/the-famous-5-women/>.
5. "Women in Canada-History Timeline 1921-1930." UFCW Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. http://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content
6. "Women Are Persons -- the Famous Five and the Persons Case." Alberta Centennial. Alberta Government, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://www.albertacentennial.ca/news/viewpost.aspx~id=364.html>.
Mr. Hergott
CHC-2DI
Period 1 January 17, 2014
The Famous Five
Background Information
The ‘Famous Five’ was a group of 5 women that strived for the equality of women. Before they came together they each did something that helped or protected women’s’ rights. Emily Murphy was a suffragist, writer and reformer. She helped create The Married Women’s Protective Act in 1911 by defending the right of wives to share ownership of their husband’s property. In 1916 she became the first female magistrate (judge) which gave her a big image in Alberta. Many organizations and individuals wanted her to become senate but it was not possible due to the biased BNA (British North America Acts) declarations deeming that women …show more content…
are not ‘qualified persons’. After this she sought out 4 women with similar determination and idealism; Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, and Irene Parlby. Louise McKinney was an organizer and supporter for the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) which protected woman and children from alcohol.
She also supported the first Dower Act which allowed women the right to prevent the sale or mortgage of her home without her knowledge. Later on she was the first woman elected to sit as a member of a Legislative Assembly in the British Empire. Nellie McClung was a suffragette, reformer, journalist and writer. She was a leader in the fight to enfranchise women in North America. She was a big influence in the enfranchisement of woman in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. She then became a Liberal member of the Alberta legislature for Edmonton. Henrietta was a legal expert and an artist. In 1893 she helped establish the National Council of Women of Canada which improves the quality of life for women, families and society. She also published Canada’s first women magazine. Irene Parlby was an advocate for rural women in Alberta. She was elected to the Alberta legislature in 1921 and became the first female cabinet minister in Alberta. She improved the lives of women and children using her influence as a cabinet minister. They all came together to petition the ruling that women are not “qualified persons” in Section 24 of the BNA act. Eventually they succeeded …show more content…
by asking them “does the word ‘person ' in Section 24 of The British North America Act include female persons?” (Source 1). Now women are considered “qualified persons” and able to become senators.
The “Persons” case was a huge achievement for women as it meant that women have the same rights as men and would be equal to men in terms of political positions.
The “Persons” case was a historically significant because it affected a lot of people, it led to other important events, and it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. To begin with, this event is historically significant because it affected a lot of people. This is evident because it affected all women in Canada. The case gave all women equal rights as men in regard to political appointments. In other words it gave women the potential to become something that they never could have before and it put them one step closer to equality with men. All women in Canada thought of this as a new opportunity to pursue something new in their life. Not only did it affect a lot of people but it also led to other important events. The “Persons” case established that women are “eligible persons” under the law so they are able to become senator and eventually other positions in politics as well. As a result of this it allowed Cairine Wilson to become the first female senator in Canada. In addition it allowed other women later on to become senators and to become even more important positions in politics. The “Persons” case was a first step into politics for women and many more important steps were taken later
on. Lastly, the “Persons” case is historically significant because it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. This is obvious because women are more involved in politics then they have ever been in history. Today about 38% of women are involved in the upper house or senate and about 25% in the lower house. This is only because the Famous Five took a leap of faith and took the first step into politics for women. Without the “Persons” case women would have never played a part in politics. Women are become more and more men in politics and someday women will be the leaders of this world all because of the Famous Five. All things considered, the “Persons” case is a historically significant event because it affected a lot of people, it led to other important events and it still affects attitudes or beliefs today. The “Persons” case changed the history of women for the good. It’s scary to think that without the Famous Five women would never be the same as they are today.
Work Cited
1. Contributors. "The Famous Five (Canada)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Famous_Five_(Canada)>.
2. Benoit, Monique. "Common Menu Bar Links." ARCHIVED. Library and Archives Canada, 21 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. <http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/015/002/015002-2100-e.html>.
3. Munroe, Susan. "The Persons Case." About.com Canada Online. About.com, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/women/a/personscase.htm>
4. "The Famous 5 Women." Famous5.ca. Famous 5 Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. <http://www.famous5.ca/index.php/the-famous-5-women/the-famous-5-women/>.
5. "Women in Canada-History Timeline 1921-1930." UFCW Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. http://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content
6. "Women Are Persons -- the Famous Five and the Persons Case." Alberta Centennial. Alberta Government, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://www.albertacentennial.ca/news/viewpost.aspx~id=364.html>.