It was a pleasure to visit CBC KW this week and talk about October as Women’s History Month in Canada! Many people think Women’s History Month is in March because of International Women’s Day and the fact that the United States celebrated Women’s History in March. But not Canada!!
Why October?
On October 18, 1929…. Five women from Alberta fought and won a landmark case, overturning the prevailing definition of who qualified as a “person” under Canadian law.
The Supreme Court of Canada did not think women qualified as a “person” in 1929, so could not be appointed to the Senate of Canada or other public institutions. The five women appealed this decision to the Privy Council in Britain and won, paving the way for greater social and political participation in all aspects of Canadian public life. October 18th is knows as Person’s Day in Canada.
Granted, there were many other social, discriminatory and legal restrictions that prevented Black women, Indigenous women and Asian women from accessing these rights. It was not a universal right available to all women.
Since 1992, Canada has recognized the month of October as Women’s History Month.
WHAT?!
Many people think Women’s History Month is in March because of International Women’s Day and the fact that the United States celebrated Women’s History in March. But not Canada!!
This is why we decided to launch our Women’s HERstory tours during the month of October – the perfect learning opportunity!
Even More…
2025 happens to be the 50th anniversary of the United Nations International Women’s Year (1975). The year focused attention on discrimination against women and highlighted the fight for to equal rights, child care needs and rights of women to participate in economic and social development.
We’re still fighting these challenges, 50 years later. But there’s progress and progress will always find a way!
So, please join us this month to explore what local Women’s HERstory looks like in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. It might surprise you! This is an opportunity to reflect on how we collect, document and decide what’s important in our community archives and collective narrative.
Join a Stroll
CAMBRIDGE – Saturday October 4 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
KITCHENER – Saturday October 18 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
WATERLOO – Saturday October 25 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
