October 2000 will be remembered as a month bursting with women's history, energy and solidarity. Every October since 1992, Canada celebrates Women's History Month, with the highlight being Person's Day, celebrated today, October18. This day marks the historical significance of the Person's Case decision of 1929 which represents a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality. Five women, Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, later known as the "Famous Five" - petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, for clarification on women's eligibility for appointment to the Senate. On October 18, 1929, the Committee ruled that section 24 of the British North America Act should apply equally to women. This historic decision created a new precedent for women in gaining access to sectors of society previously reserved only for men.
Today, women will be formally acknowledged as nation builders at noon on Parliament Hill. The Prime Minister, the Governor General and the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada will participate with others in unveiling the Women are Persons! Monument which will be presented to the people of Canada.
October 2000 also saw women from over 150 countries joined together in a global effort for the elimination of Violence and Poverty against women, in a "World March of Women 2000". Women in PEI marched in communities across the Island with a focus on "LIFE" - Livable Income for Everyone. The Island campaign centered on getting a guaranteed livable income and value for work that women do in our society. The national campaign focused on thirteen immediate demands, which would begin the process of tackling poverty and violence against women. The Canadian campaign theme is "It's time for change!"
We hope you will stop to reflect and celebrate during Women's History Month. It represents an opportunity to highlight the past and present contributions of women to Canadian society and to recognize the achievements of women from all walks of life as a vital part of our heritage. We all benefit from the struggles and achievements of the women before us, and this is our opportunity to learn more from them, and to continue the work towards women's full and equal participation in today's society.
Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women