Celebrating Women’s History Month in B.C.

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Women’s History Month in British Columbia was officially launched today with a ceremony at the provincial Legislative Assembly in Victoria. 

Each year, a theme is selected to acknowledge the achievements of British Columbia women in a particular area or field and who have led the way for others to follow. This year’s theme was unveiled as Trailblazing Women in British Columbia’s Justice System. 

Recognized at the ceremony as trailblazers in B.C. justice system were:

·         Mabel French, the first women called to the B.C. bar;

·         Helen Gregory MacGill, B.C.’s first female judge; 

·         Edith Paterson; the female member of the Law Society of British Columbia to become a judge;

·         Patricia Proudfoot; the first female appointee to the B.C. Supreme Court;

·         Beverly McLachlin, the first female Chief Justice of both the B.C. Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Canada; and

·         Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, British Columbia’s first female Attorney General. 

“To be acknowledged with such distinguished company is an honour and also very humbling. The legacies created by these pioneers have paved the way for generations of women to achieve their dreams and become successful participants in the justice system,” said Bond, who is also B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Labour. “Less than 100 years ago, women could not vote in provincial elections or federal elections. Our voices were literally silenced. Today women are leaders in the legal, political, academic and business worlds. Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments of women who have made a difference in our province.”

Today, British Columbia is the only province where the posts of the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier and the Speaker of the Legislature are held by women.

1917 marked the first year women in B.C. were allowed to vote in provincial elections. Also in 1917, B.C. became the first province to grant mothers the same rights as fathers over the custody, control and care of their own children. In 1921 B.C. was the first province to pass maternity leave legislation. British Columbia remains the only province that has been home to a female Prime Minister.

Since 1992, Women’s History Month is celebrated in Canada every October. The month was chosen as Person’s Dayfalls on Oct. 18, recognizing the landmark 1929 Persons Case decision that Section 24 of the British North America Actmust apply equally to women, making them eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate.