Famous Five - Calgary, Alberta - Civil Rights Memorials on Waymarking.com

In 1929, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung fought for the recognition of women as persons under the British North America Act. Though the Persons' Case remains one of their most significant achievements, the Famous 5 dedicated their lives to improving their communities in innumerable ways, serving to instill a spirit of strength and leadership that could be drawn upon for years to come.

Female suffrage was achieved in Canada as a direct result of the efforts of community-builders such as the Famous 5. At a time where women were not accorded fundamental rights, each of these remarkable women worked to gain rights for women, their efforts instrumental in changing public perception.

Canadian women born before 1929 were considered by law to be "non-persons." Five governments stated that women were ineligible to be appointed to the Senate because they were not "persons." In fact, British Common Law stated they were "persons in the matter of pains and penalties, but not in the matter of rights and privileges."

The Famous 5 worked together to try to improve conditions for women and change the interpretation of the Canadian Constitution to ensure women could participate in all aspects of public life.

In 1927, the Famous 5 persuaded Prime Minister MacKenzie King to ask the Canadian Supreme Court to clarify the word "persons" under the British North America Act of 1867. When the Canadian court rejected their argument on April 24, 1928, the Famous 5 persuaded the Government of Canada to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council. There, the Famous 5 won their case and on October 18, 1929, Canadian women were legally declared "persons" and eligible for appointment to the Senate.

Civil Right Type: Not listed

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