persons case and the famous five (women are officially declared people! -NOT the Onion)
Persons Case and Famous Five
Dates:
October 18, 1929
About the Persons Case:
The Persons Case is a legal history milestone in Canada. Five women from Alberta, known as the Famous Five, asked the Supreme Court of Canada to declare that women were persons under the law; after the Supreme Court turned them down, they appealed to the British Privy Council. The Privy Council found for the women on October 18, 1929, declaring that women were persons under the law.
Person's Day and Women's History Month:
October 18 has since been celebrated as Person's Day in Canada. Because of the date of Person's Day, October is celebrated as Women's History Month in Canada.
Famous Five:
The women behind the Persons Case are known collectively as the Famous Five: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby.
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/laws/p/persons_case.htm