90th anniversary of the Person's Case judgment tea

On a sunny Friday afternoon, Oct. 18, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell welcomed a dozen TACW members and many more of our federates to a ‘Pink Tea,’ commemorating 90 years since the Person’s Case judgment.

She spoke on the Famous Five who petitioned the Supreme Court in order to challenge the status of woman as persons: Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, and Irene Parlby.

Before 1929, women in Canada were not legally considered persons and therefore could not sit as senators. After the Supreme Court first denied women as ‘qualified persons’ in Mar 1928, the Famous Five took to the higher power of England’s Privy Council who then ruled in the women’s favour on Oct. 18, 1929. They also worked with the local and national councils of women during this time, and we were inspired to remember their work.

It was a lovely reception of tea, wine and hors d’oeuvres in a room adorned with art installations and information on women’s equality. We enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with Lt. Gov. Dowdeswell, Queen’s Park staff and the myriad of women’s groups in attendance. We thank PCWO for extending the invitation.

Further reading:
Famous Five & The Persons Case: www.famou5.ca
Elizabeth Dowdeswell - https://www.lgontario.ca/en/