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Sidney Museum to host Pink Tea on 95th anniversary of Persons Case

Oct. 18 marks the day when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal
sidney-museum
Sidney Museum is hosting an event in celebration of the 'Persons' case with a historical and contemporary discussion on politics and women.

The Sidney Museum and Archives is hosting a historical and contemporary discussion on politics and women on Oct. 18 titled Pink Tea.

In celebration of Women’s History Month and the 95th Anniversary of ‘Persons’ Day, the public is invited to come and learn about women’s suffrage in Canada and the ‘Persons’ Case as well as discuss current politics on the eve of the provincial election.

"This is the first time the museum is hosting an event centred around Persons' Day," says Charlotte Clar, event organizer. "We are certainly hoping it can turn into an annual event."

Clar will be giving a short presentation on the Persons' Case and the Famous Five to participants. 

Tea and snacks will be served at the lower level of the museum at 2423 Beacon Ave.

Oct. 18 marks the day the landmark decision by the Privy Council of Great Britain that determined the word “person” in the Canada’s constitution included both men and women. 

The changing of the definition of “person” was initiated by the Famous Five – Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards. They were journalists, politicians, reformers and activists from Alberta who asked the Supreme Court of Canada to answer the following question: Does the word “person” in Section 24 of the British North America Act (BNA Act) include female persons?

When the Famous Five were campaigning for women to have the right to vote and the right to run for elected office, their suffrage meetings were disrupted by their opponents. Women traditionally held teas for special occasions; since men didn’t attend these teas, suffragists started calling their political meetings Pink Teas and very few opponents attended.

The Famous Five were rewarded on Feb. 15, 1930, when Cairine Wilson became the first Canadian woman named to the senate.

Learn more about the history of the Persons Day at canada.ca.