Essay On Emily Murphy

Emily Murphy (born as Emily Gowan Ferguson) was an equal rights activist born in Cookstown, Ontario on March 16th, 1868. She came from a wealthy family and had the parents who were supportive of her receiving an education. As well, she had a politician uncle which has influenced her to gain an interest in politics. After marring theology student Arthur Murphy, they had 4 daughters (which 2 tragically died as time passed) and later moved to Swan River, Manitoba and then Edmonton, Alberta. Her endless efforts has helped create the Dower Act in 1911. Murphy became the first female magistrate in the British Empire in 1916. She is widely known for her role in the ‘Persons Case’ which has gained Canadian women rights and be considered a ‘person’

in the eyes of the British Empire.

She later died on October 13th, 1933 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Emily Murphy was very determined in getting women's rights recognized in Canada and around the world. This can be seen through the long haul of efforts that was put to create the Dower Act. When she and her family moved to Alberta in 1903, she began a movement to make sure married women get property rights. After learning about a case where the sale of a family farm gave all the funds created by the sale to the husband and left the wife with nothing, she was motivated to make a change and was able to pass the Dower Act through the legislation of Alberta to guarantee a one-third share of the husband's property. Later on, when Murphy decided to become a senator, she was denied the ability to do so as under the British North American Act, women were not considered a person. She thought that it was outrageous that with all the accomplishments from her past such as being an author and being the first female magistrate of the British Empire, has not helped her be considered a person. Emily

Murphy, still being a magistrate, led a group which included, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Edwards. This group of women created a petition to answer the question, "Does the word 'Persons' in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?" after questioning the Supreme Court of Canada. They had a strong belief that women should be given the opportuning to be appointed to the Senate but had to find a way to have women legally considered persons. This was later turned into a case named the ‘Persons Case’. Finally after taking the case to the Privy Council of Britain, on October 18, 1929, it was declared that women were legal "persons" under the B.N.A. Act. The twelve long labouring years that the Famous Five went through has made a huge difference in women’s lives as well as Canada.

Three Leadership Traits Emily Murphy Used
“Courage is not the absence of fear- it’s inspiring others to move behind it” is a quote by Nelson Mandela that Emily Murphy portrayed.

Throughout Murphy's entire journey and fight for the equality of women, she faced many hardships. In the twelve years of toil that was put to gain women’s rights, Murphy faced negative comments and ridicule for a cause that can change women’s’ lives forever. Of course one would be scared in a situation where they face threats from people that do not understand what it is like to not have the ability to do certain jobs but, Emily Murphy just put it behind her and continued to strive to do what women deserve. Even if it was just a front, Murphy’s courage and fearlessness helped inspire many women and make them realize that hard work and patience pays of if you just

persevere.
“Appearances matter- and remember to smile” is another quote of Mandela’s that Murphy applied unconsciously to her situation. As an average woman with an interest in politics to having the want to help other women, she rose as a leader and gained the trust of Canadian women to have faith in her actions. Murphy was not famous or anything special at the start and had the same values and beliefs as women that were underestimated for what they are capable as she understands what it is like to know you are capable of a job but be denied the ability to do it.
As quoted by Nelson Mandela, “Nothing is black or white” illustrates to Canadians that there are endless possibilities to a complication and that if you strategize your ideas and actions carefully, it is possible to make a difference and that is what Emily Murphy did. When Mandela served as a leader, he tried to show that it is not just the black race or white race that is superior. Both races are equal in what they do and say and Emily Murphy was able to show that women and men are the same at the end of the day. Many people were upset that the B.N.A. Act does not consider women as persons until Emily Murphy and the Famous Five changed it. She thought of many ways to fix this crisis and ultimately it has changed Canada greatly in a positive way.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Murphy is a true Canadian leader that is recognized for her great exertion to women rights and equality which has made such a tremendous change in Canada and how it functions as a democratic country.