Irene Parlby

Irene Parlby, née Marryat ( born January 9, 1868 in London, † July 12, 1965 ) was a Canadian leader of the rural women, women's rights activist and politician, and a member of the Famous Five.

Life

Born in London, Parlby came to Canada in 1896. In 1913 Parlby helped establish the local United Farmers of Alberta for women, the United Farm Women's Association (United society of women farmers ).

In 1921 she was elected as a representative of the constituency of Lacombe in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; she kept her seat for 14 years. After his appointment as minister without portfolio, she was the first female minister in the cabinet of Alberta.

Together with Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and she was one of The Famous Five (also called Valiant Five ). The five drove in 1927 successfully petitioned the " Persons Case ", ahead, clarified the notion of "person" in the Constitution Act of 1867. It was found that women actually persons within the meaning of the Act were and that it was therefore allowed them to become members of the Canadian Senate. This section had until then made ​​sure that women were excluded from political office.

As a lifelong advocate for the women and children of rural Canada Parlby was 1916-1919 president of the United Farm Women of Alberta. On behalf of the UFWA, they campaigned for the improvement of public health care and the creation of local hospitals and mobile medical and dental clinics. In 1921 Parlby was elected to the Parliament of the Province and was the second woman member of the Cabinet of Canada.

She is quoted as saying: "... and what if we die? Should women return back to where they once were. No, they 'd do better to fight it, and fight for recognition, not for equality. "Here they fought for the recognition of equal rights by the male gender.

The Senate decided in October 2009, Parlby and the other members of the Famous Five of Canada's first "honorary senators " to appoint.