PEI Government Marks Persons Day

Here’s today’s news release from PEI’s Minister Responsible for the Status of Women to acknowledge Persons Day:

Honourable Valerie Docherty, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, encourages all Islanders to join her in acknowledging Persons Day in Canada, Saturday, October 18, 2008.

Persons Day is celebrated each year in Canada in recognition of the Persons Case, which is a historical landmark in the fight for equality by Canadian Women. In 1929, The “Famous Five” struggled for and won the right for women to be legally recognized as persons and, therefore, eligible to sit in the Senate.

“It is extremely important to recognize the political struggles that women have gone through in our collective history,” said Minister Docherty. “Canadian women owe a lot to Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung – the Famous Five.”

For more information, please contact Michelle Harris-Genge, Director, Interministerial Women’s Secretariat at (902) 368-5557.

Local Political Leader Marks Persons Day

Here’s a news release from PEI’s Opposition Office, acknowledging the importance of Persons Day and the importance of the work of groups such as LEAF and other women’s equality-seeking organizations. Thanks! See pictures from the Persons Day drop-in below.

CHARLOTTETOWN – Prince Edward Island’s Opposition Leader Olive Crane is joining with millions of women across Canada in the celebration and acknowledgment of Persons Day, October 18.

“This is an important day for Canadian women to reflect upon a time, not so long ago, when we as females were not considered worthy enough to vote in this country or to be elected to represent our citizens in our own government and in the House of Commons,” said Crane.

The Persons Case of 1929, said Crane marked a victory for Canadian women who had spent eight years fighting for equality. “It was on this date that the English Privy Council overturned a Supreme Court of Canada decision and declared women as “persons” before the law.”
As “persons” said Crane, women then became eligible for appointment to the Senate, and requested that  Judge Emily Murphy be appointed as their candidate. Crane noted that a total of three Prime Ministers were advised not to appoint the female judge on the basis that women were not “qualified persons” according to the British North America Act. Crane praised the courage and tenacity of women like Judge Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby, who fought the cause for women in the highest courts of the British Empire.

“It was the determination of these women, and hundreds of their brave supporters who paved the way for women, such as myself, to participate in all aspects of public life,” said Crane. “Today, brave women still continue the fight for the equality and rights of women, not just in this country, but all over the world through organizations like the P.E.I. Status of Women and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. They are an inspiration to those of us in this country who now enjoy the benefits of their efforts and I hope women everywhere will continue to support their important work.”

-30-

For further information please contact:
Opposition Leader Olive Crane,
Opposition Members Office,
368-4360

Persons Day Event Pics

Marcia Carroll (PEI Council of People with Disabilities), Iris Phillips (PEI Office of the Official Opposition), Susan Fitzpatrick (Cooper Institute), Jane Ledwell (PEI Status of Women), Sandy Kowalik (LEAF PEI), Lisa Murphy (LEAF PEI/PEI Status of Women), Barb Currie (Women's Institute).

Sandy Kowalik and Barb Currie pin ribbons. Barb attended the 50th Anniversary of Persons Day in Ottawa in 1979 when she was on the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women!

Marcia Carroll and Susan Fitzpatrick talk feminism.

Women pin purple ribbons for PEI's annual campaign against violence at the brown-bag lunch for Persons Day.

Persons Day Event Invitation

Post-Election Brown-Bag Lunch for Persons Day

LEAF PEI (Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund) and the PEI Status of Women Advisory Council invite you to drop in to a federal election post-mortem and brown-bag lunch in honour of Persons Day.

DATE: Wednesday, October 15
TIME: drop in between 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: PEI Status of Women Office, 161 St. Peter’s Road (Ellis Brothers).
DIRECTIONS: From the “Main Mall Entrance,” take the first door on the left past Frank’s Watch and Jewellery. (We share space with Worker’s Compensation Appeals Tribunal and the PEI Literacy Alliance.)
MORE INFO: 902-368-4510 or peistatusofwomen [at] eastlink [dot] ca

All persons are welcome.
We’ll have beverages and excellent conversation. Join us if you can!

Persons Day marks an important legal victory for women. On October 18, 1929, the English Privy Council overturned a Supreme Court of Canada decision and declared that women were legally “persons,” and therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate. The case paved the way for the eventual legal recognition of all women across the country. While Persons Day is a celebration, it is also an occasion to reflect upon the ongoing struggle to achieve equality for Canadian women.

LEAF National Employment Opportunity

The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund is seeking a full‐time Director of Litigation to manage and implement its equality rights litigation initiatives from its national office in Toronto.

The position involves:

• Management of the litigation and other legal initiatives undertaken by the organization;
• acting for LEAF as counsel on cases when needed;
• management of the legal department;
• coordinating the work of the Law Program Committee;
• building relationships with other legal organizations and equality seeking groups;
• assisting LEAF in achieving its internal and external goals.

Qualifications include:

• Admission to a provincial or territorial bar;
• litigation experience;
• expertise in equality theory and the Charter of Rights & Freedoms;
• demonstrated commitment to women’s equality;
• familiarity with feminist, non‐profit organizations;
• excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking and media relations;
• ability to manage and work in a team.

Membership in diverse communities and ability to read French are important assets.

For a comprehensive job description, please visit:
http://www.leaf.ca/about/employment.html#target

Compensation:
Competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Deadline:
Thursday, September 25, 2008; 5:00 p.m. EST

Please email resume with cover letter by Thursday, September 25, 2008; 5:00 p.m. EST to:
DoL Hiring Committee
Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund Inc. (LEAF)
60 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, ON M4T 1N5
Email: dolhiring[at] leaf [dot] ca

Meeting Notes from June 19

Announcements

• CLIA AGM June 25

LEAF National AGM

• Sandy Kowalik attended the AGM for the LEAF PEI membership. She spoke about the strength of the organization after many years of work on by-laws and structure. The Education Committee has been hard at work revitalizing the No Means No Campaign and hopefully PEI might be able to do the campaign in the province. National is noticing increased interest from Canadian youth. West Coast LEAF, an affiliate of LEAF National is keeping an eye on the possible legal items re: polygamist activity in BC. Discussion held on status of Unborn Victims of Violence Act, currently in 2nd reading. LEAF’s website has been revamped and all are encouraged to visit it. Go to www.leaf.ca. [Members may contact LEAF PEI for the password for the members-only page.]

CLIA/LEAF Partnership to sponsor event

• Discussion was held on possible events to partner on to celebrate Law Day and Equality Day in PEI. “Friendraiser” verses “Fundraiser” ideas most liked included: VIP Breakfast Luncheon, Breakfast with Keynote Speakers – National/Local Combo. Lisa agreed to touch base with Halifax and Fredericton on sharing possible speakers on current topics.

Next meeting: Date in the fall?

Membership list: Becky Tramley, Lisa Murphy Reeves, Jane Ledwell, Lisa Murphy, Jacinta Gallant,
Cynthia Dunsford, Donna Langille, Jill Lightwood, Sue Connolly, Kirstin Lund, J’nan Brown, Jane Boyd,
Gloriajean Murphy, Sandy Kowalik, Edith Perry, Lynn Grishko, Patsy MacLean, Constance Robinson,
Jennifer Perry, Michelle Dorsey, Linda M Gaudet, Ann Sherman, Kelly Robinson, Community Legal
Information Association of PEI

LEAF National’s Annual Report

Interested in LEAF national’s Annual Report for 2007 to 2008? It is available here.

Members Meet, June 19

Some members of LEAF PEI gathered for a meeting in Charlottetown on June 19.

Welcome!

This is a blog to share information and updates for the Prince Edward Island, Canada, branch of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, LEAF.

LEAF PEI held an event to regenerate local members and energies on Equality Day, April 17, 2008. See the highlights posted here: http://peiacsw.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/balancing-work-family-and-life/