-- We will focus on the “Person’s Case” & The Right to Vote for Women

Discuss with a partner:Are women equal in your society?Have you had (or can you imagine) a female president? If no, then why not?

Social Studies 11Women’s Rights Movement

1929

What is a person? How can we determine if someone or something is a person or not?

Social Studies 11

Is this a person?

Is this a person?

Is this a person?

Ms. Wolfe is a person but her grandmother was not!

The Persons Case: The Famous Five

These women had to fight for their right to be considered ‘persons’.

p 60, counterpoints

Read and paraphrase to your partner.

Role of women in 1920sPrinciple role of women = wives & mothers1921 Federal Election = 5 ran for office, 1 was

elected (Agnes MacPhail) – Every thing she did was heavily scrutinized

Limited Career opportunities (nursing, teaching)Low pay, low skilled jobs

1928 = Supreme Court of Canada ruled that “Women were not ‘persons’ under the Constitution”**

Persons Case of 1929**Emily Murphy (well known supported of

Women’s rights)Appointed a magistrate (officer of state..or..a

judge in court)This was Challenged…only a “PERSON” can

hold this position under BNA Act Women were not “Persons” in eyes of Law (1928

Court decision)

Women becoming a “Person”Supreme Court of Alberta ruled…Emily

Murphy HAD THE RIGHT to hold this position! (good thing for women)

The movement didn’t stop!....

Murphy & 4 other women activists (“Famous Five”) appealed to Britain to make women “persons” under the law

October 1929 – British Council says:“Exclusion of women is from days much more

barbaric than ours today”

“Those who ask…WHY should women be included in the word “persons”….you should ask..WHY NOT?”

HWRole of Women worksheet questions due for

Tuesday

Information can be found starting on p.60 in textbook