IT WOULD BE ABSURD to ask an Island woman today if she thought of herself as a person. But only 70 years ago, a Canadian woman was not considered to be a person in law and was therefore excluded from public offices, such as the Canadian Senate," reminds Advisory Council Chairperson Sharon O'Brien.
Monday, October 18 marks the anniversary of a landmark 1929 ruling by the British Privy Council that gave women full political rights. The case was put to the courts by five Alberta women, known as "The Famous Five" and was led by a determined journalist, magistrate and advocate named Emily Murphy.
Chairperson O'Brien notes that while Emily Murphy was never appointed to the Senate, she is nevertheless remembered on Persons Day and during the month of October every year for her reform initiatives that advanced equality and Canadian society.
"It was Cairine Wilson, a Liberal daughter of a Senator, who enjoyed the first "female person" appointment in 1930. Today, out of 105 Senators, 32 are women, including Islanders Catherine Callbeck and Eileen Rossiter."
Friday's announcement in the media about Anne Marie Perry receiving one of the annual Govenor General's Awards, in Commemoration of the Persons Case, is one such example of remembering the work of Emily Murphy and celebrating the achievements of other Canadian women.
Tignish resident Anne Marie Perry is only the second Islander to receive the Govenor General's Award since they began twenty years ago in 1979. In 1986, Helen Yeo of Charlottetown received the award in recognition of her work that advanced the status of women, especially in business and academia.
"We are delighted that Anne Marie Perry has been recognized for her work in advancing women's rights. Anne Marie is representative of the many advocates for social justice in this province. Anne Marie has been singled out as a woman who represents the tireless workers who continue the tradition of courage and integrity which "The Famous Five" inspired," states Chairperson O'Brien.
The Advisory Council is pleased to release its annual publication listing of Island female lawyers in celebration of the Persons Case. The purpose of the listing, available at the Advisory Council office at 3 Queen Street, is to profile progressive law firms that employ women and encourage people to hire female lawyers for legal work.
"Thirty-six percent of PEI's lawyers are women - that's 81 out of 225. While women have broken down many barriers to their participation in male-dominated institutions, like the legal profession and the Senate, the principles of equality and fair representation in public institutions must be promoted at every opportunity," states Chairperson O'Brien.