Persons Day – October 18th, 2007 

Many of you have never heard of “Persons Day” and are now wondering exactly what it represents. 

Person’s Day is a day of commemoration in honour of the Persons Case decision and the significant historical landmark it represents in the fight for equality by 5 Canadian women.   In 1929 Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung fought for and won the right for women to be recognized as persons under the law and therefore eligible to sit in the Canadian Senate. Many of you have seen the commemorative and informative reenactment on television and some of you have even seen the 5 historical statues on Calgary’s Stephen’s Avenue Mall. 

In honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Persons Case decision the Government of Canada established a “Governor General’s Award” in order to salute the contributions of contemporary women in the advancement of gender equality.  Since 1979 Persons Day has been celebrated on October 18th.  On that date the Governor General presents the Awards to the winning recipients. 

The official call for nominations for the “Governor Generals Award” in commemoration of the Persons Case is made every spring.  Further information is available on the Status for Women website at www.swc-cfc.gc.ca

In Solidarity 
Alice Elsender
 Alice Elsender
Secretary Treasurer, CUPW-Calgary Local