Victory of The Persons' Case (1929)
In 1929, thanks to the efforts of the Famous Five; Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, the British Judiciary of the Privy Council legally validated women as "persons" under all existing legislation of the British North America Act which had previously only used male pronouns such as "he and "him" when describing the legal and political rights of Canadian citizens. Of the many rights outlined by the BNA Act, one included, the right to be appointed to Senate. While Emily Muphy - a member of the Famous Five, political and social activist and first female judge in Canada - was once denied the right to be appointed to Senate on the grounds of her gender not being of the "persons" eligible to receive consideration, after the Persons' Case's victory in the Privy Council Appeal, she was just as eligible as any man to revive consideration for a role in Senate.
Now that we are persons, I wonder if we will notice any difference. Will women cease to ask for confirmation of their stories or opinions from their nearest male relative? Will women still give as an excuse, when they not not want something, "My husband will not let me!" Will women ever grow to trust other women--will women doctors, dentists and lawyers receive their share of clients?
- Article; Now That We Are Persons by Nellie L. McClung (One of the Famous Five)
The above quote, acquired from Nellie McClung's own article, Now That We Are Persons, speaks to the greater and long-term significance of the victory of the Persons' Case. It recognizes the victory as more than one merely allowing women to join senate, but as an event that would inspire a political and social innovation in the way women were respected and considered -- not as property, but as persons and individuals with equal ability to that of men.