Emily Murphy: Difference between revisions
Became magistrate in 1916 |
Changed "The famous five" to "The Valiant Five" so link to article would work |
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[[image:emilymurphy.jpg|right|thumb|Statue of Emily Murphy in the monument to |
[[image:emilymurphy.jpg|right|thumb|Statue of Emily Murphy in the monument to [[The Valiant Five]], Parliament Hill, Ottawa]] |
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'''Emily Murphy''' ([[March 14]] [[1868]] - [[October 17]] [[1933]]) was a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[women's rights]] [[activist]]. In [[1916]], she became the first woman [[police]] [[magistrate]] in [[Alberta]], and in the [[British Empire]]. |
'''Emily Murphy''' ([[March 14]] [[1868]] - [[October 17]] [[1933]]) was a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[women's rights]] [[activist]]. In [[1916]], she became the first woman [[police]] [[magistrate]] in [[Alberta]], and in the [[British Empire]]. |
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She is best known for her contributions to Canadian feminism, specifically to the question of whether women were "persons" under Canadian law. During her term as a judge, several defence lawyers questioned her qualification to sit in judgment over their clients, questioning if she was even a "person" under the law. No female [[Senate of Canada|senator]] had yet been appointed, and she was considered a prime candidate; however, she was rejected by a succession of prime ministers. |
She is best known for her contributions to Canadian feminism, specifically to the question of whether women were "persons" under Canadian law. During her term as a judge, several defence lawyers questioned her qualification to sit in judgment over their clients, questioning if she was even a "person" under the law. No female [[Senate of Canada|senator]] had yet been appointed, and she was considered a prime candidate; however, she was rejected by a succession of prime ministers. |
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Finally she and four other women |
Finally she and four other women, called [[The Valiant Five|The Valiant Five or Famous Five]], fought what came to be called the [[Persons Case]], to show that women could be "qualified persons" eligible to sit in the Senate. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that they were not. However, after appealing to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council - the court of last resort for Canada at that time - the women won their case, and [[Cairine Wilson]] would become the first woman senator. |
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Under the pen name '''Janey Canuck,''' Ms. Murphy wrote a number of articles with [[white supremacist]] and [[anti-immigration]] viewpoints. She inveighed against [[drugs]], in particular [[opium]] and [[marijuana]], arguing that they were being spread by [[Chinese]] immigrants in order to weaken the white race in Canada. One of her most notable books in this regard was entitled ''[http://www.freeworldnews.com/frontmatter.html The Black Candle]''. |
Under the pen name '''Janey Canuck,''' Ms. Murphy wrote a number of articles with [[white supremacist]] and [[anti-immigration]] viewpoints. She inveighed against [[drugs]], in particular [[opium]] and [[marijuana]], arguing that they were being spread by [[Chinese]] immigrants in order to weaken the white race in Canada. One of her most notable books in this regard was entitled ''[http://www.freeworldnews.com/frontmatter.html The Black Candle]''. |
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Her legacy is disputed, with her important contributions to [[feminism]] being weighed against her anti-immigrant views that were extreme even for her time. Some argue that she was a [[racist]] and should not be honoured; others say that her racism was a product of her times and should not vitiate her activism on behalf of Canadian women. [http://www.canuck.com/famous5/html/jan_wong__april_17__1998.html] |
Her legacy is disputed, with her important contributions to [[feminism]] being weighed against her anti-immigrant views that were extreme even for her time. Some argue that she was a [[racist]] and should not be honoured; others say that her racism was a product of her times and should not vitiate her activism on behalf of Canadian women. [http://www.canuck.com/famous5/html/jan_wong__april_17__1998.html] |
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Emily Murphy and the rest of |
Emily Murphy and the rest of [[The Valiant Five]] will appear on the new [[Canadian dollar|Canadian $50 note]]. |
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[[Category:1868 births|Murphy, Emily]] |
[[Category:1868 births|Murphy, Emily]] |
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Revision as of 02:41, 5 July 2005
Emily Murphy (March 14 1868 - October 17 1933) was a Canadian women's rights activist. In 1916, she became the first woman police magistrate in Alberta, and in the British Empire.
She is best known for her contributions to Canadian feminism, specifically to the question of whether women were "persons" under Canadian law. During her term as a judge, several defence lawyers questioned her qualification to sit in judgment over their clients, questioning if she was even a "person" under the law. No female senator had yet been appointed, and she was considered a prime candidate; however, she was rejected by a succession of prime ministers.
Finally she and four other women, called The Valiant Five or Famous Five, fought what came to be called the Persons Case, to show that women could be "qualified persons" eligible to sit in the Senate. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that they were not. However, after appealing to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council - the court of last resort for Canada at that time - the women won their case, and Cairine Wilson would become the first woman senator.
Under the pen name Janey Canuck, Ms. Murphy wrote a number of articles with white supremacist and anti-immigration viewpoints. She inveighed against drugs, in particular opium and marijuana, arguing that they were being spread by Chinese immigrants in order to weaken the white race in Canada. One of her most notable books in this regard was entitled The Black Candle.
Her legacy is disputed, with her important contributions to feminism being weighed against her anti-immigrant views that were extreme even for her time. Some argue that she was a racist and should not be honoured; others say that her racism was a product of her times and should not vitiate her activism on behalf of Canadian women. [1]
Emily Murphy and the rest of The Valiant Five will appear on the new Canadian $50 note.