Equality between women and Men in Canada since 1929

An important event happened in Canada back in 1938.

This event, known in Canada as „The Persons Case, was precipitated when Emily Murphy was appointed as a judge in Canada in 1916. Her first day on the bench, she was challenged by lawyers who declared she could not rule as judge because women are not persons in Canada. They were correct.

The first battle was that women had to prove that they had souls. Many supported Mrs. Murphy, and of note are four other women activists from Alberta: Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards. The activists petitioned the Supreme Court of Canada, and were shocked when their appeal was denied. They then took their case to the British Privy Council (the highest ruling court at that time for Canada).

On October 18, 1929 they win their case and women become persons in Canada. Since 1992, the month of October has been dedicated to the history of women in Canada. This year marked the 80th Anniversary of this historic „women become persons event, which was a big step for the establishment of equality between women and men in Canada.