On
June 11, 1938, the Canadian Federation of Business and
Professional Women's Clubs placed a tablet in the Senate
Lobby commemorating the Famous 5's political victory. Nellie
McClung was on hand to witness the unveiling of the plaque
by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. On February 21, 1939, portraits of each of the Famous 5 were
unveiled in the Alberta Legislature.
For many years, the Famous 5 and their shared political
achievement were all but forgotten. In 1979, the National
Action Committee on the Status of Women released a medallion
commemorating the 50 anniversary of the Persons' Case
victory. Dora de Pedery-Hunt, who designed the medallion,
had this to say about her design: "The subject of this medal
is celebration! Celebration of Canadian women becoming
"persons", of joy and delight that at least one great step
was taken. The five women represent but do not portray the
"Five" who helped us to achieve it. Instead of banners, I
used the International Women's Year logo; the bird-line
forms add life and movement to the medal, also their beaks
point to the future. I never believe in looking back
anyway!"
That same year, the Government of Canada established the
Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons’
Case. Each year, around the date of the Persons' Case
Victory on 18 October, the Governor General presents five
adults and one youth who have made outstanding contributions
to the quality of life of women in Canada with this award.
Among the first women to receive this honour was the
Honourable Thérèse Casgrain, Senator of Canada.
More recently,
the Famous
5 Foundation has undertaken initiatives to honour its
namesakes. On Persons' Day, October 18, 1999, Governor
General Adrienne Clarkson unveiled a bronze monument of the
Famous 5 commissioned by the Foundation at Olympic Plaza in
Calgary. On the same date in 2000, a similar monument was
dedicated on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. These larger than
life monuments created by artist Barbara Paterson portray
the women as they might have appeared when they learned the
news that women were declared 'persons'. The Foundation
commissioned Ms. Paterson to cast a smaller-scale bronze maquette, which has toured across Canada as part of an
exhibit about the Famous 5.
On October 13, 2004, another portrayal of the Famous 5
will be printed on the back of Canada's $50 bill. An image
of former Senator and human rights activist Thérèse Casgrain
will also be included. The Famous 5 Foundation has worked in
cooperation with the Bank of Canada to produce this paper
currency.
|