Famous Five Exhibition to visit province

Julie Bettney, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Gerald Smith, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, announced today that the traveling exhibit of the Famous Five Foundation will visit the Confederation Building in St. John�s from September 22, 2000 to October 6, 2000 as part of its national tour. This tour is made possible through a partnership between the Famous Five Foundation, the Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada, the Speakers of the Legislatures and the Minsters Responsible for the Status of Women.

The exhibit is a tribute to the five women, the Famous Five, who were responsible for the �Persons� case victory of 1929: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung.

"This is a great opportunity for people of the province to recognize the contribution of these women to the political process," said Minister Bettney. "It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the contributions made by the women of Newfoundland and Labrador who have fought long and hard, indeed continue to fight, for women�s equality in the province and across our nation."

The exhibit will be on display in the main lobby of the East Block of the Confederation Building until October 6, 2000. There will be an official opening ceremony and reception on September 25 at 10:30 a.m. which will be attended by various representatives from sponsoring organizations and will include presentations from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor A.M. House, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Julie Bettney, Deputy Speaker of the House, Gerald Smith and Frances Wright, president and CEO of the Famous Five Foundation.

All media are encouraged to attend the opening ceremony and reception and visit the exhibition at the Confederation Building.

Media contact: Janice Lockyer (709) 729-5730.

British Columbia law defined woman as, "persons in matters of pains and penalties but not persons in matters of rights and privileges." So that women might become senators and the status of women be improved, the Famous Five challenged the Supreme Court of Canada with the question, "Does the word �persons� in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?" When the Supreme Court answered "No", on April 24, 1928, the decision was appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Britain, the highest court of appeal in the British Empire. The Famous Five made history on October 18, 1929 when the five Lords unanimously ruled that the word �persons� did include both women and men. This democratic triumph recognized the equality and importance of both men and women as nation builders and thus women could serve as senators.

The exhibit consists of detailed panels and a bronze statue, sculpted by Edmonton artist Barbara Paterson for the Famous Five Monument. It depicts the five women as they may have been when they received the news of their victory.

The sculptures are identical (although significantly smaller) to the monument unveiled in Olympic Plaza in Calgary on October 18, 1999 by Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. The Famous Five will create history again as they become the first sculpture of Canadian women to grace Parliament Hill on October 18, 2000.

The tour is funded by the New Sun Fund, the Wittington Foundation and the Millennium Bureau of Canada.

The Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada aim to help girls and young women become responsible citizens able to give leadership and service the community, whether local, national or global. The Guides are committed to improving the lives of others by honouring past contributions and achievements of women and inspiring others to build a better world.

The Famous Five Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable corporation, was established in 1996 to honour the Famous Five and other Canadian women, commemorate the �Persons� Case and inspire, recognize and celebrate achievement. The foundation has grown to include a mentorship speakers program, education initiatives and various community endeavors.

2000 09 22 10:45 a.m.