In Canada, women make up slightly more than half of the population. However, throughout Canadian history and modern day, women are needing to stand up for themselves and other women to bring about change. Canadian women are strong and have the power to work together and bring about change. Jennie Trout stood up for Canadian women that wanted to be in the medical field, women during WWI made a difference in their lives by entering the workplace and standing for their right to work, Nellie McClung was a leader for women’s suffrage, and The Famous Five campaigned and won The “Persons” Case allowing women to be considered persons under the Canadian Constitution. These women were instigators of change. Change for women only occurs when ambitious and courageous women stand up for a difference that they deserve.
Jennie (sometimes Jenny) Trout was a woman who decided she would not sit and let things happen, but instead, make a change that she and the
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women of Canada deserved; the right to be able to practice as licenced doctors in Canada. Jennie was born in 1841 and grew up in Stratford Ontario. She became a teacher and worked until she got married in 1865 (“Jennie Trout”). Soon after this Jennie was struggling with what was only at the time called a nervous disorder. This trouble of hers and the help she was receiving led her to want to be a part of the medical field. At this time this field was not open to women and Jennie would have to fight for her way in. In the early 1880s, Jennie and her friend Emily Stowe (another woman who was already practicing medicine in Canada but was not licenced) attained permission to attend the 1871-72 winter session of the Toronto School of Medicine. These two women were the first in Canada to be allowed to enter a recognized medical school. Although this was a great success for the two of them, the men attending the school and the professors did not see it fit for women to be attending their school and made the women’s time as difficult as possible (Forster 262-3). Though Jenny was a reserved woman who avoided Confrontation whenever possible, she refused to accept the harassment without a fight. She finally threatened one of the professors with exposure to his wife if he did not stop telling lewd stories in class to upset the two female students. (Forster 263) After the blatant discrimination she received at the Toronto School of Medicine she decided to go to the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania to complete her training.
She then returned to Canada in 1875 to and write and pass licensing exams, making her the first Canadian woman doctor licenced to practice. She also later went on to inspire the women in Canada interested in medicine and opened the Women’s Medical College in Kingston, Ontario (Forster 264). Jennie’s story is one of extreme determination and strength. She never let anyone else dictate what she was going to do, and with this mindset achieved her dream. Jennie pioneered the way for future Canadian women entering the medical field. She was willing to stand up to people who told her she could not do it and mocked her. She would have been a very strong and courageous woman at that time to stand up to men, knowing she was right. Because of Jennie Trout and her willingness to stand up for what she believed women deserved, made all the change for women of the
future. Women were making change for themselves during WWI campaigning for equal work rights and also the right to vote. During WWI, more women than ever were being introduced to the world of work. By the end of the war, 30,000 Canadian women had entered the workforce. Women would enter non-traditional jobs such as; bus drivers, welders, and factory workers. The women enjoyed the sense of purpose working gave them but had to constantly face people believing women were not strong enough to work and being paid much less than men (Rose 18). The women were just as capable as the men in most jobs but were not treated so. “These girls came from good homes and were all anxious to do their ‘bit’ [...] [becoming] the liveliest in the camp and also some of the best workers” (Rose 18). A quote from Louis Allen, a factory worker, on how the women working in factories were some of the best workers and were determined to do their very best. After the war, men wanted to return to their jobs, but the women working did not want to give up their jobs. They had fought to be able to work, and accomplished that goal (although the working rights were still not the same). At this time a journalist, Marjory MacMurchy said: “Canadian women themselves, by their efforts and good judgment, their willingness and fitness, should see that their opportunities for paid employment are maintained and extended [...] both during and afterwards” (Marsden 64). She wanted to stand up for the opportunity for women to work and be a good contribution to the society they were a part of. With the freedom of working, women felt more comfortable to try and fight for harder issues such as receiving the vote. The women that decided to join the workforce during and after WWI brought change that needed to happen for women. Nellie McClung, was a woman who did not let anyone dictate what she could do, as she decided to create change that women needed. Suffrage for women started to grow in popularity in women all across Canada. A big leader of this movement was Nellie McClung. Nellie McClung was a woman interested in making a change for women. She began joining social reform groups when she taught as a teacher, beginning at age 16. In 1911, Nellie and her family moved to Winnipeg (“About Nellie”). Nellie soon joined the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union), a group that fought for prohibition, which led to the group wanting the vote. Women having the vote would make it easier for them to push their causes. Without the vote, they only relied on petitions (Carstairs and Higgins 34-5). In 1914, Nellie decided she was going to make a decision to make a public stand for women to receive the vote. “Nellie’s most famous stunt was her hilarious impersonation of Manitoba’s chauvinist Premier Sir Rodmond Roblin in a play called The Women’s Parliament” (Forster 165). Premier Roblin once told Nellie: “Take it from me Ms. McClung; nice women don’t want the vote” (“Nice Women Don't Want The Vote: The Nellie McClung Story”). Her play mocked this, and she performed it as if men were the ones who shouldn’t have the vote. In 1916, Manitoba was the first province to give women the vote. This led to Canada giving women the federal vote in 1918 (although not all provinces allowed women to vote at the provincial level). Nellie McClung reflected on what she had accomplished when she said: “I am glad [...] that I kept alive my own ambitions even when it would have been much easier to become a home-loving heart who had no thought beyond her children” (“About Nellie”). Although Nellie’s life had much success, she faced discrimination because she was a woman constantly (Kealey and Sangster 108). Nellie was a determined, ambitious women who knew what needed to be done and made sure it happened. This woman was one of the main reasons a difference was made for women, through receiving the vote. Nellie McClung was a woman led by ambition, that was able to bring about big difference for the women of Canada. The Famous Five were a group of women who stood up for change and led to make a difference for what they believed they deserved. Formed in 1927, Edmonton Alberta, The Famous Five consisted of five women all fighting for the right for women to be in government and be considered persons. The group consisted of Henrietta Moir, Nellie Mcclung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby (Macleod 6). Emily Murphy began the group after she found out that since she was a woman, she could not be appointed to the senate. “Section 24 of the British North America Act (at that time, Canada’s constitution, the source of its highest laws) said that only ‘qualified persons’ could be appointed to the Canadian Senate”(“The ‘Persons’ Case”). Murphy found a way that she could fight the right to be a person; she found a statement in the Supreme Court of Canada Act, that said if five people working together could challenge the Supreme Court for change. So with her group of five, the women went to the Supreme Court which only told them that they were not persons. But with their ambition and motivation, they were not ready to give up yet. In 1929, The Famous Five took it one step further and went to the Privy Council in London England, with their case (now entitled The “Persons” Case) to continue their petition. The Privy Council agreed with The Famous Five and stated that yes women are persons and could become senators (“The ‘Persons’ Case”). If it was not for these five women standing up for a difference they deserved, nothing would have changed. These women had to be courageous, determined, and be willing to preserve to receive the change they deserved. Louise McKinney (one of the famous five), said: “The purpose of a woman’s life is just the same as the purpose of a man’s life: that she may make the best possible contribution to her generation” (Macleod 6). McKinney along with the rest of The Famous Five did just that, by not being shy about the change that needed to happen. In a time where most women would stay home and be homemakers, these women were willing to step out of the social norm and make change happen. Change for women only occurs when ambitious and courageous women stand up for a difference that they deserve. Jennie Trout saw an injustice in Canadian medicine not allowing women to be licenced, and stood up for the difference she wanted to happen, and because of her efforts, women are now a part of the medical field. The women that decided to join the workforce during WWI, stood up for their right to be able to work and make a living and brought that opportunity for women across Canada. Nellie McClung saw a difference that needed to occur and stood up to make it happen. The Famous Five, allowed women to forevermore be considered “persons” due to their willingness and perseverance to make the change they wanted to see. Women never got anything handed to them. They had to be the ones instigating the change they wanted to see. They also had to be extremely courageous and ambitious to stand up to the ways things were and change them. These groups of women and individuals should be reigning inspiration to the women of today who see injustices in their society. Women should lead in the example of the women before them; unwilling to ever give up when they know that the change their bringing is the right one. Canadian women should always feel they have power, and the ability to use that power to be the most influential bringers of change.
A known softball pitcher who led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics had started her career in college as a three-time All American pitcher and first baseman at the University of Arizona. Jennie Finch is known as one of the top softball players because of the amount of medals she has received and her dedication for the game. She has been a role model since she put her hand on a ball and threw her first pitch.Finch was born on September 3, 1980 in La Mirada, California. She was the youngest out of the three children in her family. She is married to Casey Daigle with their three kids. When she turned five, she began playing little league t-ball. Jennie began playing softball when she was eight years old and when she was nine she began playing on a 10-and-under All Star team. She spent every
...epartment of eye care at ULCA. A major accomplishment of hers in 1983 was being the first woman chairman in an ophthalmology training program at ULCA. In 1988, she was elected into Hunter College’s Hall of Fame. Her last award was in 1993 where she was named a “Howard University Pioneer in Academic Medicine.”
Emily Murphy played a vital role in helping women reach a level of true equality during the twentieth century. When visiting a prairie farm, Emily Murphy noticed a stressed woman. The woman was stressed because her husband had sold their land and ran off to the United States, leaving the woman homeless. Becoming very determined, Emily Murphy set out to change the law. In 1911, the Dower Act was finally passed in Alberta, which gave women the right to own one-third of their husband’s property.1 Emily Murphy's important decision to help amend the law in a way that it was beneficial to women showcases her determination to make sure women got their rights. Even though the law was not totally fair, it still shows that Emily Murphy took an initiative and helped women reach a step closer to their goal. Before Murphy took this essential action, many women were left homeless, since they had no right over their husband's property, and if she had not done so, many more women would fall victim. Women being able to own property was a significant matter in those days, and this was only made possible with the ...
In Samuelson and Antony’s book Power and Resistance, renowned sociologist Professor Pat Armstrong tackles the topic of health care reform from a critical feminist perspective. Her analytic critique of the historic tenets of Health Care policy in Canada, effectively points out a systemic disadvantage for the women of our society. Which, in the spirit of transparency, completely blind sighted me as a first time reader because, well, this is Canada. Canada, the internationally renowned first world nation with a reputation for progressive social reform. The same Canada that Americans make fun of for being ‘too soft’. As far as the world is concerned we’re the shining nation-state example of how to do health care right. Needless to say, Professor
Annie McClung introduced Nellie McClung to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, W.C.T.U.. Annie McClung, “showed Nellie the urgency for women’s rights in the issues of temperance and female suffrage” (****-1981). Soon, Nellie became a temperance leader herself and joined the W.T.C.U.. This involvement would prove to be a huge aspect in Nellie McClung’s life, one that could contribute to her legacy in Canadian history. From this guidance of Annie McClung, Nellie was also introduced to being a speaker and the campaign of universal franchise. In addition to the deep social concerns Annie McClung brought into Nellie’s life, she also introduced Nellie to her son, Wesley McClung.
Before World War I, equality for woman and men were very unfair. Woman weren’t even legally “persons”; they weren’t allowed to join parliament or the senate because they weren’t legally “persons”, therefore these jobs were occupied by men only. During World War I and World War II, many men had left for war, thus meaning there were many job openings that needed to be occupied as soon as possible, women then began to take on stereotypical male jobs which men thought women couldn’t do or couldn’t do as well. Women showed their capabilities and realized they shouldn’t be considered less than men. In retaliation of not being considered “persons”, women decided to take action. The famous five brought the persons case upon the supreme court of Canada in 1927, which was finally determined by Judicial Council of Britain's Privy Council in 1929. The “persons” case involved women not legally being “persons”. After the famous five won the case, women were legally considered “persons” then women began to join important jobs such as members of parliament and the senate. Along with becoming “persons”, women were beginning to get their right to vote in provinces slowly. In 1916, four provinces gave women the right to vote provincially and, finally, in 1940, the last province (Quebec) gave women the right to vote provincially. Later, in World War II, there was another change in
“Canada emerged from the First World War a proud, victorious nation with newfound standing in the world. It also emerged grieving and divided [and] forever changed by the war’s unprecedented exertions and horrific costs.” Some of the social impacts of World War I on Canada include the fact that during the war as mentioned above, the status of women improved and resistance by men against acknowledging the abilities of women were gradually set aside. Also during the war women participated in many activities that promoted their cause for social, economic and politic equality, such as suffrage. Moreover, political impacts of the First World War on Canada involved, the suffrage political goal finally being won in 1919 when women got the right
Her plan was a success and she was able to start her own women’s nursing corps. Because of their efforts and determination, those two women were acknowledged for helping allowing women to become nurses
The contentious little book titled Women, Power, Politics maintains politics to be devalued, acknowledging the fact that only few people do vote, and women are unable to achieve within the realm of Canadian politics. Sylvia Bashevkin, the author of the book argues that Canadians have a profound unease with women in positions of political authority, what she calls the "women plus power equals discomfort" equation. She evaluates a range of barriers faced by women who enter politics, including the media's biased role of representing the private lives of women in politics, and she wonders why citizens find politics is underrepresented in Canada compared to Belgium. In clear, accessible terms, Bashevkin explains her ideas on how to eliminate “low voters turn-out,” “devaluation of politics,” "gender schemas," and "media framing.” She outlines some compelling solutions to address the stalemate facing women in Canadian politics which are; contesting media portrayals, changing the rule of the game, improving legislative quotas, electoral reform, movement renewals, and so on. This response paper would addresses the reality of a political mainstream, actions which should be taken against the oppressive elements of reality, and the awareness it brings through economic, social, and political environment.
On July 19th 1848, the first Women's Convention was held in Seneca Falls, from which 68 women and 32 men participated, to discuss Women's rights and equality to men. During the convention, was written the “Declaration of Sentiments”, document that approached the issues to be overcome by women, including their rights regards: voting; social equality; intellectual capacity; equal payment and right to occupy high positions. Today, one hundred and sixty six years after this convention was held, what have women really accomplished in terms of acceptance and support from our government and society? Researches show that women are still under paid in comparison to men in same positions; women are still struggling to occupy higher positions within the companies they work; society is still imposing to women the main part on parenthood without attributing shared responsibilities to men; government is still lacking support regards laws involving maternity leave and equal pay.
Gender equality had always been a vast topic for the ancients to solve and for modern society to improve on. From the society's early beginning of Masculinity to the gender equality contemporary world that we are maintaining, year 2016 has been exactly a century since women in Canada had first received their right to vote in the 20th century. In today’s world, it is not uncommon or abnormal for abounding amounts of females voting or running for political parties. This hundred-year recognition was earned through many female’s and male’s withstand to rights for women to vote. Many trials and obstacles were present for women when they were fighting for their right
“Honey, you’re not a person, now get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich!” If a husband were to say these words to his wife today, he would likely receive a well-deserved smack to the face. It is not until recently that Canadian women have received their status as people and obtained equal rights as men. Women were excluded from an academic education and received a lesser pay than their male counter parts. With the many hardships women had to face, women were considered the “slave of slaves” (Women’s Rights). In the past century, women have fought for their rights, transitioning women from the point of being a piece of property to “holding twenty-five percent of senior positions in Canada” (More women in top senior positions: Report). The Married Women’s Property Act, World War I, The Person’s Case, and Canadian Human Rights Act have gained Canadian women their rights.
Poverty is a significant threat to women’s equality. In Canada, more women live in poverty than men, and women’s experience of poverty can be harsher, and more prolonged. Women are often left to bear more burden of poverty, leading to ‘Feminization of poverty’. Through government policy women inequality has resulted in more women and children being left in poverty with no means of escaping. This paper will identify some key aspects of poverty for Canadian women. First, by identifying what poverty entails for Canadian women, and who is more likely to feel the brunt of it. Secondly the discussion of why women become more susceptible to poverty through government policy and programs. Followed by the effects that poverty on women plays in society. Lastly, how we can reduce these effects through social development and policy.
However, women desired a higher education. Elizabeth Blackwell is a prime example of women’s fight for a medical degree, one of the first STEM environments available to women. In order to kick-start her education she wrote to all of the doctors that she knew, requesting advice and help. However, most of the doctors replied that they thought it impossible, that a woman would not be able to endure the rigors of a medical education, and that they feared the competition that women doctors would bring. Elizabeth persisted, finally making her way to Philadelphia, a city famous for its study in medicine, to stay with Dr. Elder, one of the few supporters of her education. Once here she continued writing letters and actually found many friends who agreed to support her cause, but unfortunately universities were not included in this list of friends. Elizabeth then pursued an education at the University of Geneva in New York where the Medical Faculty and students agreed to accept her. While at first the university cared about the press coverage that Elizabeth’s spot would bring, she eventually established her rightful place as a student there. Although she encountered some resentment among the wives of doctors and other people living in the small town, Elizabeth ...
In the early 20th century, in many parts of the world - including Canada - women were not seen as equal to as men. Women were seen as weak and unable to take on the same labour intensive jobs as men. Furthermore, women were portrayed as too emotionally frail to vote for certain issues in their cities/towns. Despite all the dilemmas surrounding women equality and rights, many men had to go through similar hardships. If men could not live up to the stereotypes surrounding them, it could lead to a lack of self-confidence or ability. However, whether it may be because of the fact that women went through tougher problems, or the fact that men chose not to speak up about their problems, there is no historical figure that stood up for the rights