Right now is the best time to be a girl. I understand this is an unusual statement, but it is true. Years ago, women and young girls were not given the freedom and opportunities as they are today. Some were considered property of their husbands, fathers, or male family members and did not take part in the work force or make their own income. Instead, the only role they were allowed was the vital one in raising a family.
Today, our world has changed. In many parts of the world, women and men have equal opportunities. They both can be businesspeople, lawyers, doctors, or teachers. We have the right to free speech. Girls can play sports with the boys and can even grow up to be professional athletes. Boy, have the times changed.
It was not too long ago when women were not given the right to vote. This is because they were not considered complete people; by many, they were referred to as property. They had little say especially when it came to politics. However, a woman by the name of Nellie McClung changed all of that in Canada and helped women obtain suffrage (the right to vote) in 1929.
Before her significant political accomplishments, Nellie was a popular author during World War I. When she moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba with her husband, she became engrossed in the movement of suffrage and joined the Winnipeg Political Equality League, a group of individuals committed to improving female wage earnings. She led important male political leaders through sweatshops, hoping to demonstrate the oppression female workers go through, and how their rights were not equal to the rights of men.
In 1927, Nellie joined a witty and intelligent group of women (also known as the Famous 5) for what became known as ???the Person???s Case???. This case was convened to see if women could join the Canadian senate, since you had to be considered, by law, a ???person??? before you could be elected. When Canada was just developing as a country, the British North American Act (or BNA) was developed in 1867. It stated that a ???person??? would only include men and not women.
Nellie and her crew fought to bring the decision to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council, one of the highest courts in Canada. Eventually, in October of 1929, the Judicial Committee ruled that Canadian women were, in fact, persons and could be appointed in the senate and allowed to vote in Canada.
Even after the decision was made, Nellie still strived to achieve social, economic and political equality in Canada. She went on to publish several newspaper articles, short stories, and a novel. She was also still active in the political world as well, attending many conferences and public speaking ceremonies. She has been noted one of Canada???s most famous individuals for her efforts in giving women the equality that they deserve.
So, the next time you chose to look down upon yourself because of your gender, or someone looks down upon you -- think again. Women have come along way throughout the years and worked hard to be noted as equal individuals. Nellie McClung is just one example of just how far perseverance, determination, and hard work can take you. She is also an inspiration on how you can make a change yourself, and have the freedom to speak your mind. Be proud that you are an individual living in the 21st Century. This is 2003, after all.
Nellie McClung (1873-1951)
???I want to leave something behind when I go; some small legacy of truth, some word that will shine in a dark place???.
Reach for the Stars,
-TIKE
Work Cited:
http://www.mta.ca/faculty/arts/canadian_studies/english/about/study_guide/famous_women/nellie_mcclung.html
