Photo Hunt - in Memory

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "In Memory."

In our world we do many things to remember people, events, loved ones, and even things. Parliament Hill in Ottawa is home to many such statues, as one might expect of the nation's capital. Tucked away amongst the paths are Queens, politicians, and this wonderful statue:

This is the statue of the Famous Five.

Inaugurated on October 18, 2000, this monument entitled "Women are Persons!" is in memory of Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards. Known as the Famous Five, these women won the "Persons" Case, a 1929 court ruling which legally declared women as persons under the British North America Act and made them eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate (To learn more about the "Persons" Case and the Famous Five, visit the National Archives of Canada website).

The larger-than-life sculptures by Edmonton artist Barbara Paterson were donated to the Government of Canada by the Famous 5 Foundation. They show the five women celebrating their important legal victory in characteristic poses. An empty chair adds an interactive feature to the monument that invites passers-by to join the group. The newspaper with the headline "Women are Persons" that Nellie McClung is holding reflects some of the actual headlines of newspapers of the day.

I took advantage of the empty chair. Sitting in the midst of these leaders enjoying both their victory, their tea, and their companionship, I was amazed at the expressions on their faces. Bemused, amused, proud, satisfied, and thrilled. They had struggled for years against an oppressive belief about women and their role in the world. They weren't, however, angry - although they could have been!

THE FAMOUS FIVE: WHO THEY WERE (from left to right on the picture, source: National Archives of Canada)

Nellie L. McClung (1873-1951), novelist, journalist, suffragette and temperance worker. She was a member of the Alberta legislature, the only woman on the Dominion War Council, and the first woman on the CBC Board of Governors.

Irene Parlby (1868-1965), suffragette and politician. She was elected president of the women's branch of the United Farmers of Alberta in 1916 and became a member of the Alberta legislature in 1921. She was still a member of Parliament at the time of the Persons Case.

Emily G. Murphy (1868-1933), instigator of the Persons Case, writer, and first woman magistrate in the British Empire. She pioneered married women's rights, was National President of the Canadian Women's Press Club 1913-1920, vice-president of the National Council of Women and first president of the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada.

Henrietta Muir Edwards, (1849-1931), journalist, suffragist and organizer, fought for equal rights for wives, mothers' allowances and women's rights. She started the Working Girls' Association in Montréal in 1875, a forerunner of the YWCA. Later, while living in Alberta, she compiled two works on Alberta and federal laws affecting women and children.

Louise McKinney (1868-1931), politician and temperance campaigner. She was president of the Dominion Women's Christian Union and elected to the Alberta legislature in 1917 as representative of the non-partisan league.

This helps us remember the accomplishment but also helps us remember how recently rights for women were won. To take it further, it helps us remember how precious rights are - especially when we consider how women and girls fare in other, less-enlightened countries!

Lots of the slow travel  community members also photo hunt when they aren't traveling. You can find their posts by clicking the links below. 

• Old Shoes, New Trip
• Eden's Wanderings and Wonderings
• My Place in the Sun
• Churches in Venice – Mosaics, Marble, and Miracle-Working Madonnas
• Palmabella's Passions
• What I Really Think
• shave Ice and Gelato
• Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!
• Keep your Feet in the Street
• Baked Alaska
• That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!
• Postcards from the Trail
• Cooking at the Whistlestop Cafe
• Candi's Corner
• Trekcapri's Blog
• Destination Anywhere

Comments

[Deborah]

Oh, Jerry! I just loved this post. When I get to the store this afternoon, I'm going to see what biographies we have on some of these woman. Thanks so much!

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

What a great memorial... I would have loved a photo of you sitting amongst the ladies.

[Mariposa]

Thanks for sharing, I learned something new today!

[Candi]

Great post Jerry of a wonderful memorial.

[girasoli]

This is a very cool post! I love that Canada has created statues to celebrate these women. Great photos!

[Anne]

Hey Jerry, what a fantastic choice for these theme! Thanks for sharing about these incredible women.

[Jerry]

Thanks everyone for popping by on photo hunt Saturday! It is great to remember the accomplishments of such pioneers!

Sandi, them next time I'm there I will have someone snap a pic of me sitting in the midst of the celebratory tea party!

[sandrac]

Excellent take on the theme, Jerry! I love these statues and incredibly, I never remember to suggest to visitors that they have a look, and learn a bit about the Famous Five!

[Kathy (Trekcapri)]

Hi Jerry, this is a wonderful photo theme selection! I really enjoyed learning about these wonderful pioneers in Canada's history. The statues are amazing and reading a little more background about each of the "Famous Five" in your post was very interesting. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

[María I.]

Wonderful choice for the memorial theme. Love the idea of the empty chair and how it allows for people to sit and reflect on the accomplishments of these pioneers. Interesting post. Thanks!

[Jerry]

Sandra - the statue has such character - a great spotr to sit for a bit. Funny that these women were from Alberta! What happened?

Thanks Kathy - I hope that you had a great day as well.

I try to pop by and sit in the chair every time I'm in the area Maria - it is a great spot for reflection.