Thursday, March 8, 2012

International Women's Day

Dear Diary:

Today is International Women's Day and it has been observed as such since the early 1900's.  But even today, women still do not receive equal pay to men; they are underrepresented in business and politics; our education and health cannot compare to men's and the rate of violence against women is still very high.

In Canada, two women stand out as activists for women's rights.  Emily Stowe (1831-1903) was the first female doctor to practice in Canada, even though she was denied entrance to university because she was female.  She became a teacher since that was "woman's work".  She later went to a homeopathic medical school in the United States.  She was an early suffragist and considered the "mother" of the movement in Canada.
Nellie McClung (1873-1951) was a member of "The Famous Five", a group that launched the "Persons Case", challenging the BNA Act, asking if women were considered "persons".  The Supreme Court of Canada, in 1928, stated that women were not persons but that decision was overturned the next year.  Because Nellie and her group brought up this question, it paved the way for women to be acknowledged and to be allowed to serve in Government.

To learn of some of the history behind the extraordinary people that fought for the rights of all women, click here

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Skin: LeLutka Lola
Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available)
Hair: Vanity Hair Romance

Dress, hat and sign: Montagne Noire Suffragette

Background: PNP Liberty Cove