Today is Persons Day.
It commemorates the anniversary of the ruling, 87 years ago, that declared women to be ‘persons’ in Canada.
The historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal on October 18, 1929.
The Famous Five paved the way for women’s increased participation in public/political life #PersonsDay #BecauseOfHer https://t.co/G8URZHvoZ1 pic.twitter.com/XeEI4QAkMV
— Women in Canada (@Women_Canada) October 18, 2016
It 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.
Previously, under English common law, women were not ‘persons’ in matters of rights and privileges.
Bernadette MacDonald of the Tri-County Women’s Centre says it took five brave women from the Prairies and the West Coast to start the change.
“They were well educated. They were legal experts themselves , it was like the wild west and they could really see the inequality because of the circumstances that were happening out west.”
MacDonald says despite that court ruling 87 years ago, we still live in a very patriarchal system.
“As a gender we are very vulnerable to sexual violence, in the streets in our homes.”
MacDonald says she was very pleased to see so many women become involved in municipal politics.
“It’s so exciting to see so many women who are now mayors and Councillors so they can be involved in public decisions and civil society.”