Saskatchewan LabourStatus of Women Office

Women’s History MonthWomen’s History MonthOpening the Door for Women

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October is Women’s History MonthWomen’s History Month or as some people call it

Women’s Herstory Month

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Why aWomen’s History MonthWomen’s History Month?

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Why a Women’s History Month?

1. Documentation of women’s historical contributions to the shaping of Canadian society is limited.

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Why a Women’s History Month?

2. Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness and to recognize women’s achievements as a vital part of our Canadian heritage.

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Why a Women’s History Month?

3. Women’s History Month is also an opportunity to highlight how we have benefited from these achievements, and to provide encouragement to those who continue to work towards women’s equality.

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In 1992, October was declared Women’s History Month in Canada in honour of the historical significance of the “Persons” Case of 1929, representing a landmark victory for Canadian women.

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In commemoration of the “Persons” Case, the Governor General’s Awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the quality of life of women in Canada are presented during the month of October.

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The The “Persons” “Persons”

CaseCase

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“We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons.”

Emily Murphy - 1931

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Although women who were British citizens could vote in Saskatchewan elections in 1916 and federal elections in 1918, they were not eligible to be appointed to the Senate.

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The “Persons” Case involved the interpretation of The British North American Act that stated only “persons” were allowed appointments to the Senate.

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Women were only considered persons in matters of pains and penalties, not rights and privileges. The Senate was a “privileged” position, therefore for men only.

Campaigning for a cause took on a different meaning in the years prior

the telephone, car, and radio

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In August 1927, five prominent Alberta women petitioned the Supreme Court of Canada asking that women be considered “persons” under the law.

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Emily Murphy

Henrietta Muir Edwards

Louise McKinney Irene Parlby

Nellie McClung

The Famous Five

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In April 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled thatwomen were not “persons”.

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The matter was taken to Canada’s highest court of appeal, the Privy Council in England.

On October 18, 1929, it was ruled that under section 24 of The British North American Act, women were “persons” and thus able to sit in the Canadian Senate.

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For more information on the “Persons” Case,visit www.famous5.org

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Early Years Early Years in Saskatchewanin Saskatchewan

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During the early years, social attitudes and conventions encouraged women to look after the home and family. Women were dependent upon men for their livelihood and quality of life.

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Although women played a critical part in the survival of the farm, they had little or no control over how the farm income was spent.

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Often, extra money women earned from the sale of farm produce such as butter, eggs and cream was the most dependable income for the family.

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Farm wives had little or no claim on the homestead. Husbands could buy and sell family property at any time.

A widowed wife had no legal rights on inheritance and her quality of life was usually in the hands of one of her male children.

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was not thought practical because women would just get married

Higher education for women:

was morally unacceptable because placing men and women in close proximity would subject them to “uncontrollable temptations”

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From the turn of the century up until the 1960s, women in the labour force were usually single.

Fourteen children were taught in this sod schoolhouse in

Saskatchewan - 1909

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Between 1851 and 1921, young women were most likely to be employed in domestic service.

Immigrants for domestic service

- 1911

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With industrialization, women moved into the factories and, by World War I, women were employed in fields such as teaching, nursing and clerical work.

Garment factory in the 1930s

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Pursuing Women’s RightsPursuing Women’s Rights

Political Equality League

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Essential as women were to the shaping of Canadian society, they were not recognized by the legal system as having many rights or privileges in areas such as: attaining higher education owning land the right to vote participating in public office

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As women demanded recognition for their contributions and increased independence, several accomplishments were achieved.

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In 1862, Mount Allison in New Brunswick was the first Canadian university to admit female students.

Young women at Mount Allison University

enjoying a party in the women’s residence – 1884

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Saskatchewan passed The University Act in 1907, stating that female students would not face gender discrimination and could participate equally with men in any university activity.

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1907 also saw Saskatchewan’s passing of The Married Women’s Property Act which enabled a wife to: own land, goods and money in her own name do business and make a will independently stand behind her own debts administer an estate go to court

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In 1916, after four years of petitioning, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba became the first provinces to allow women who were British citizens to vote in provincial elections.

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In 1918, European-Canadian women won the right to vote in federal elections and to seek election to the House of Commons.

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In 1929, the British Privy Council overturned Canada’s Supreme Court decision, determining that women were entitled to the same rights and privileges accorded to men and could become members of the Canadian Senate.

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Saskatchewan Women…Saskatchewan Women…on the Moveon the Move

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After WW II, women recognized their ability to take on “men’s work” and the freedom of financial and personal independence.

Woman welder during the war years

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Married women realized they could work outside the home without neglecting their children. Social attitudes were due for a change.

Working at a glass company

- 1944

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In 1950, the provincial Jury Act was amended to allow women to be called for jury duty, where previously only men could serve.

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In 1953, Saskatchewan’s Equal Pay Act provided for equal pay for equal work done by women and men in the same establishment.

The Labour Standards Act, 1977, provided for equal pay for similar work.

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In 1960, First Nations women and men living on reserve could vote without losing their registered Indian status.

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In 1964, the Women’s Bureau was created within the Department of Labour to enforce equal pay and maternity leave legislation.

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In 1979, the provincial Matrimonial Property Act recognized that childcare, household management and financial provision are joint and mutual responsibilities of spouses, which entitles both spouses to equal distribution of matrimonial property.

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In 1985, Bill C31 amended the federal Indian Act restoring the treaty and Aboriginal rights of First Nations women previously denied through marriage to non-status Indians.

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Women have accomplished a lot over the years. But the road to equality is long and diverse.

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Like the brave women who came before us, we must continue to work towards women’s equality by addressing the economic, social, legal and political issues faced by women today.

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To receive a copy of Women’s History Month – A Celebration of Women’s Lives, contact the Status of Women Office, Saskatchewan Labour at:

swowebmaster@lab.gov.sk.caswowebmaster@lab.gov.sk.ca