Saskatchewan Labour Status of Women Office Women’s History Month Women’s History Month Opening the Door for Women

Opening the door for women October is Women’s History Month or as some people call it Women’s Herstory Month

Opening the door for women Women’s History Month Why a Women’s History Month?

Opening the door for women Why a Women’s History Month? 1. Documentation of women’s historical contributions to the shaping of Canadian society is limited.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women The “Persons” Case

Opening the door for women “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

Opening the door for women 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.

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

Opening the door for women 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

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

Opening the door for women Emily Murphy Henrietta Muir Edwards Louise McKinney Irene Parlby Nellie McClung The Famous Five

Opening the door for women In April 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not “persons”.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women For more information on the “Persons” Case, visit

Opening the door for women Early Years in Saskatchewan

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women  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”

Opening the door for women 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

Opening the door for women Between 1851 and 1921, young women were most likely to be employed in domestic service. Immigrants for domestic service

Opening the door for women 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

Opening the door for women Pursuing Women’s Rights Political Equality League

Opening the door for women 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

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

Opening the door for women 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

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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

Opening the door for women 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.

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

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women Saskatchewan Women… on the Move

Opening the door for women 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

Opening the door for women 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

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

Opening the door for women 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.

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

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

Opening the door for women 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.

Opening the door for women 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.

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

Opening the door for women 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.

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