Evidence
Excerpt from the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council's decision on October 18, 1929 to consider women as "persons," allowing them to run for any elected position in Canada including the Senate. Women had already been able to run for most provincial and certain federal elected positions, but not for some positions such as Senate. From this point on, many women begin to make their way into politics in Canada, beginning with the first woman Senator, Cairine Wilson, in 1930. [33]
"their Lordships have come to the conclusion that the word "persons" in section 24 includes members both of the male and female sex, and that, therefore, the question propounded by the Governor-General must be answered in the affirmative and that women are eligible to be summoned to and become members of the Senate of Canada, and they will humbly advise His Majesty accordingly." [34]
"their Lordships have come to the conclusion that the word "persons" in section 24 includes members both of the male and female sex, and that, therefore, the question propounded by the Governor-General must be answered in the affirmative and that women are eligible to be summoned to and become members of the Senate of Canada, and they will humbly advise His Majesty accordingly." [34]
The Famous Five's Speech Response
Excerpt from Nellie McClung's speech on behalf of the Famous Five in 1930 after the Privy Council has decided to consider women as "persons." Nellie McClung was an influential writer and speaker, and provided much of the outreach for the Famous Five. [35] Earlier in her life, she was a member of the Political Equality League, which was one of the major gender equality groups working to allow women to vote around 1916. [36]
"I want to be a peaceful, happy, normal human being, pursuing my unimpeded way through life, never having to stop to explain, defend, or apologize for my sex.... I am tired of belonging to the sex that is called the Sex. And it is because the finding of the Privy Council that we are “persons” once and for all, will do so much to merge us into the human family, that we are filled with gratitude and joy." [37]
"I want to be a peaceful, happy, normal human being, pursuing my unimpeded way through life, never having to stop to explain, defend, or apologize for my sex.... I am tired of belonging to the sex that is called the Sex. And it is because the finding of the Privy Council that we are “persons” once and for all, will do so much to merge us into the human family, that we are filled with gratitude and joy." [37]
The Famous Five's Newspaper Response
Figure 11: Newspaper article by Nellie McClung in 1930
This is a newspaper article from 1929 by Nellie McClung on behalf of the Famous Five after the Privy Council made their decision. This article is not celebrating the change, but rather saying how it will not be much of a change, since the "sex prejudice" will not die, and women will not dare to go against their husbands. She writes to encourage other women to act like persons and to take on men's jobs, and to tell men to not have anymore prejudice against women. This article is a great example of how effective and influential a writer Nellie McClung was, helping to lead the famous five to their victory.
"And now that we are persons, and the secular authorities have removed the last barrier, it behooves us all to play the game fairly, cheerfully, honourably respecting no special privileges, nor favours, leaving aside all narrowness, and prejudice, [...] remembering that the world (meaning the men of the world) are disposed to accept us at our own rating."
-Nellie McClung, Newspaper article in 1930
Women's Rights Statue at Parliament Hill
This is a photo of Nellie McClung in the Women's Rights Statue at Parliament Hill. In this statue, Nellie McClung is holding the 1929 newspaper with the headline announcing the successful appeal of the "Persons" case that had been launched by the Famous Five. This statue was donated by the Famous 5 Foundation and was installed in 2000. [38]
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