The Changing Role of Women Socials 11 Chapter 3 Ms. Campbell
Changing Times Agnes Macphail: http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10212 Became the first woman MP in 1921 (only woman till 1935) Nellie McClung: http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10643 Obtained the right for Manitoban women to vote
Agnes Macphail Nellie McClung
New Roles? Wives and mothers New labour-saving devices meant that women were expected to uphold higher standards Refrigerator Vacuum Washing machine Electric iron
New Roles? Marry, raise a family, stay home Limited career opportunities Nursing, teaching (paid poorly) Secretaries, telephone operators, sales clerks FEW women: doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers
On This Day... http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/10/18/
The Persons Case Emily Murphy: http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10205
The Persons Case 1929 Emily Murphy appointed as magistrate in Alberta This was challenged on the basis that only “persons” could hold office under the BNA Act – women were not “persons” under the law “Famous Five” fought to have PM Mackenzie King appoint a female senator
The Persons Case 1929 1928 – Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not “persons” “Famous Five” appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Britain) October 18, 1929 – JCPC declares support for the women: The exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbaric than ours... To those who ask why the word [“person”] should include females the obvious answer is why should it not? (p.60)
Question: As the realities of women's lives become the subject of public discussion, and as women take more prominent places in society, laws concerning women also change. New laws are introduced for their protection, to guarantee their rights, and to recognize their special concerns. What are some of the laws that especially concern women? Consider issues of family violence and "stalking," abortion and genetic research, affirmative action and gender equity. Do laws reflect social changes, or can they actually create changes in public attitudes?
A New Prosperity Booming economy = people have money! Cars Radios Movies College students swallowing goldfish Six-day bicycle races http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZcMyMOb3iA
“Roaring Twenties” Dancing Tourism Charleston Shimmy Turkey Trot Jobs in railways, hotels, holiday resorts In 1929, 4 million Americans spent $300 million vacationing in Canada
Fashion Influenced by the U.S. Men: Straw hates Form-fitting double-breasted suits Bell-bottom pants Bow ties Slicked-down hair
Fashion Women: “flappers” “bobbed” hair Hemlines above the knees Silk stockings Dresses that promoted the flat-chested look
Increased Mobility Invention of the assembly line (Henry Ford, 1913) meant that cars could be made quickly and cheaply Model T Ford
Automobiles Model T Ford All identical Cost less than $300! One made every 3 minutes Workers made $5/day – well above average – but no unions allowed
Highways Increased tenfold Physical barriers of Canadian Shield and Rocky Mountains delayed the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway Better highways in the U.S. Led B.C. to change to right-hand side driving
White Spot First drive-in restaurant in Canada in 1928
Aviation P.62
Improved Communications Telephone was a standard household appliance Radio Broke down isolation Mostly U.S. stations – small Canadian ones couldn’t compete
Movies Silent, accompanied by an orchestra or piano and subtitles Canadian films couldn’t compete Hollywood glamour Mary Pickford, born in Toronto, known as “America’s Sweetheart” “talkies” arrived in 1927 Laurel and Hardy Marx Brothers
A New Canadian Art Emily Carr: http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10214
Group of Seven New post-war national confidence Interpret Canada’s rugged landscape as they saw it: broad, bold strokes and vibrant colours http://www.groupofsevenart.com/
Questions?