The Famous Five: Helping Women Socially Economically and Politically

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The Famous Five: Helping Women Socially Economically and Politically There are unlimited names of famous Canadian Leaders who have worked to help Canada become a better place. From Prime Ministers like Lester B Pearson or Pierre Trudeau to average people like Terry fox. The famous five however accomplished more things for the women in Canada than any other Canadian. Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung with the persons case helped Canadian women on a social economic and political level. Up until 1929 (Evans), the legal term for “person” did not apply to women according to the Canadian Constitution. The five women from Alberta challenged the views of many people and were able to change history due to their determination and dedication. The Famous five came forward and they fought for the recognition of women as people under the British North America Act and won (Evans). Women in Canada benefited socially as a result of the persons case won by the famous five in 1929. In Canada, when a woman got married she usually passed from the control of her father to that of her husband. They were expected to look after their homes and raise the children and they were forced to remain obedient to their husbands. A husband had wide authority over his wife's property, if a wife wanted to engage in business or control or sell property which she had owned before marriage she needed the permission of her husband to do so (Lamb). When a couple got divorced the law also allowed the men to get most of the properties. In 1968 there was a very popular case called the Murdoch Case, where Mrs. Murdoch was given very little after ending her 25 years of marriage with her husband (Munroe). This case shows how women were not treated unfairly and more privilege was given to men since they were considered persons. Near the end of the 1970s,
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