95th Anniversary of the ‘persons’ case:
host your own "PINK TEA"
On October 18, 2024, the Famous 5 Foundation encourages communities and organizations to host a Pink Tea to commemorate ‘Persons’ Day and celebrate the 95th anniversary of the historic ‘Persons’ Case verdict.
Why a Pink Tea?
THEN: When the Famous 5 were campaigning for women to have the right to vote and run for elected office, their suffrage meetings were disrupted by their opponents. Women traditionally held teas for the birth of children, when someone left the community or other reasons. Men didn’t attend these teas so suffragists started calling their political meetings Pink Teas and very few opponents attended.
NOW: What the Famous 5 began, we continue: pay equity, racial inequality, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women, mental health and addiction, and more. Whatever your gender, race, sexuality, age or background, we are all persons. What are you fighting for?
Download a Pink Tea Hosting Kit / English
Download a Pink Tea Hosting Kit / French
THE "TEACUP" EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
This entertaining 3-minute video was developed to introduce school-age children to the story of the Famous 5 women, and can be used in classroom settings to kick off lessons or stimulate discussion.
How 5 Women Changed Canada Forever Over a Cup of Tea
EXPERIENCE A "PINK TEA"
Using a technique called binaural audio and specialized recording equipment, we have created a 360-degree audio experience that will transport you back in time by nearly a century to the centre of a “pink tea.”
90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMOUS 5
On October 18, 2019, Canada celebrated 90 years since the famous ‘Persons’ Case. Watch a CBC video on the history of this important ruling where women were finally declared ‘persons’ under Canadian law.
Oct.18.19 - Canada celebrates 90 years since the famous ‘Persons’ Case
The Famous 5 Quiz
How much do you know about The Famous 5? Take the quiz! and learn more about the five courageous and idealistic Canadian women.
FAMOUS FIVE BOOKS
The Famous Five: Emily Murphy & The Case of the Missing Persons; The Western Heritage Centre, 1999
Mavericks: The Incorrigible History of Alberta; Aritha van Herk; Penguin Viking; 2001
The Persons Case: The Origin and Legacy of the Fight for Legal Personhood; Robert J. Sharpe & Patricia I. McMahon; University of Toronto Press; 2007
The Famous Five: Canada’s Crusaders for Women’s Rights; Barbara Smith; Heritage House Publishing Co. Ltd.; 2019
The Valiant Nellie McClung; Barbara Smith; Heritage House Publishing Co., Ltd.; 2016
Dancing Backwards: A Social History of Canadian Women in Politics; Sharon Carstairs & Tim Higgins; Heartland Association Inc.; 2004
100 Canadian Heroines: Famous & Forgotten Faces; Merna Forster; Dundurn; 2004
200 Remarkable Canadian Women: A 70th Anniversary F5F Project; Kay Sanderson with Nancy Millar & Marg McCready; F5F; 1999
Extraordinary Canadians: Nellie McClung; Charlotte Gray; Penguin Random House; 2011
Firing the Heather: The Life & Times of Nellie McClung; Mary Hallett & Marilyn Davis; Fifth House; 1994
Our Nell: A Scrapbook Biography of Nellie McClung; Candace Savage; Goodread Biographies; 1979
Nellie McClung: No Small Legacy; Carol Hancock; Northstone; 1996
Emily Murphy: Crusader; Byrne Hope Saunders; MacMillan Company of Canada Limited; 1945
Politics, Pitchforks & Pickle Jar: 75th Years of Organized Farm Women of Alberta; Nanci Langford; Women of Unifarm; 1997
Chicken Soup of the Canadian Soul; Jack Caufield, Mark Victor Hansen, Janet Matthews, Raymond Aaron; 2002
Nellie L; Connie Brummel Crook; Stoddard Kids; 1994
Nellie’s Victory; Connie Brummel Crook; Stoddard Kids; 1999
Nellie McClung; The Witty Human Rights Activist, Author & Legislator of Canada - Canadian History for Kids; True Canadian Heroes; Professor Beaver; 2021
Yusuf Learns about the Persons Case; George Tracilyn, Jones, Aria; Independently published; May 2021
The Famous 5: Nation Builders
Published by Famous 5 Foundation
Available in both English and French, this 24-page booklet written and published by the Famous 5 Foundation gives a historical account of each of the Famous Five, and their successful challenge of the 1929 Persons Case.
Regrettably, this booklet is not available at this time.
“conversations of consequence”
The Famous 5 Foundation encourages teachers and students to host a "Pink Tea", in celebration of their Famous Five studies. Invite parents and other community members to join you for an afternoon tea and a “conversation of consequence”. Everyone can share their views on an issue that challenges their community. This is an excellent opportunity for students to use the knowledge they have gained during their studies, and use critical thinking skills in a debate about issues of importance.
To learn more, contact admin@famous5.ca.
The Famous Five: Their stories told in song
A musical introduction to the story of The Famous Five by a talented singer and songwriter from Alberta, Carolyn Harley.
The Famous Five: A Pivotal Moment in Canadian Women’s History
By Nancy Millar | Published by Western Heritage Centre
Nancy Millar tells the story of the five famous Alberta women who undertook one of the greatest legal coups ever to be carried out. Complete with courtroom drama, stories of love and hate, temptation and triumph. She writes from the perspective of a 21st century historian and acknowledges that these five women helped change the world in ways we take for granted today.
To learn more, contact admin@famous5.ca.
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
The I am a Witness Campaign invites people to learn about the case on First Nations child welfare and Jordan’s Principle and to decide for themselves whether or not they think there is discrimination against First Nations children and youth.
To learn more visit I am a Witness
Article: The Complainant: The Canadian Human Rights Case on First Nations Child Welfare