The Suffrage Movement In Canada

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In the twentieth century, women achieved many things towards their goal of equality. They ventured to avenues and tried different ways to be recognized in their rights especially the right to vote. The suffrage movement helped in rousing advocacy to fight for this right. Women in the labour force worked and provided good quality work that was as good, if not better than those of men, which progressed towards gender equity. Many contributed to this achievement, and some brought it a step further by taking the leadership and representing women all over Canada. This movement during the twentieth century focused towards promotion of equality both in Canada and globally through their determination in the labour force, the suffrage and determined …show more content…
They made campaigns to spread the word about the suffrage movement and respected and influential organizations such as the National Council of Women and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, spoke out in support of the suffrage movement. “Valuable support came from the WCTU, whose leaders saw votes for women as necessary in achieving prohibition. In 1910, the respected and influential National Council of Women spoke out for suffrage.” (Women’s Suffrage). The support that came from these organizations tremendously aided the advancement of their goals because influential people have powers and resources to hold over the society in general. Fostering from these influential people helps promulgate their cause and make people consider their stance on the movement. In addition, the federal politicians, fearing the opposition of people, “extended the federal vote to women in the armed forces, and to female relatives of military men” (Women’s Suffrage). “On 24 May 1918, all female “citizens” aged 21 and over became eligible to vote in federal elections, regardless of whether they had yet attained the provincial franchise.” Although it is clear that the vote was not won through the contribution of women during the war, but for fear of the opposition to conscription, nonetheless is still a victory. Moreover, the Political Equality …show more content…
The Famous 5, consisting of Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Edwards, and Irene Parlby, led the Persons’ Case in 1929. The Persons’ Case declared women as persons’ under the Canadian law. “Alberta’s “Famous 5” were petitioners in the ground-breaking Persons Case, a case brought before the Supreme Court of Canada in 1927 and later decided by the Judicial Council of Britain’s Privy Council (1929), Canada’s highest court at that time. It was not until April 24, 1928 that the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its decision and declared that women were not persons. Yet, in spite of that decision, Minister of Justice Ernest Lapointe declared that women had a legal right to sit in the Senate and that measure would be taken to amend the BNA Act accordingly.” (Library and Archives Canada). The Persons’ Case created quite an impression in the movement because women, alongside men were considered persons. This case was well known around the world and it allowed Canadian women to make great progress in their movement, and be a model of equality globally. In addition, Irene Parlby who was a part of the Famous 5 organized various campaigns to help the movement. She contributed a lot more when she was elected to the Alberta Legislature. “Irene Parlby helped push through 18 bills to

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