October 18 is Persons Day, commemorating the legal ruling in 1929 when Canada’s highest court of appeal ruled that the definition of persons included women. This meant that women could be appointed to public office, including the office of Senator. The ruling was an important step in paving the way towards gender equality.
The five women who launched the legal challenge that led to this ruling were Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards. They are commemorated in a group of statues in Ottawa. It used to be between the Senate building and the House of Commons, but it was moved during renovations to the House of Commons.
I visited the statues in April 2025.
Leave a Reply