The Changing Role of WomenSocials 11Chapter 3

Ms. Campbell

Changing Times Agnes Macphail:

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10212 › Became the first woman MP in 1921 (only

woman till 1935) Nellie McClung:

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10643 › Obtained the right for Manitoban women to

vote

Nellie McClung

Agnes Macphail

New Roles? Wives and mothers New labour-saving devices meant that

women were expected to uphold higher standards› Refrigerator› Vacuum› Washing machine› Electric iron

New Roles? Marry, raise a family, stay home Limited career opportunities

› Nursing, teaching (paid poorly)› Secretaries, telephone operators, sales

clerks› FEW women: doctors, lawyers, professors,

engineers

On This Day... http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/10/1

8/

The Persons Case Emily Murphy:

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10205

The Persons Case 1929 Emily Murphy appointed as magistrate

in Alberta This was challenged on the basis that

only “persons” could hold office under the BNA Act – women were not “persons” under the law

“Famous Five” fought to have PM Mackenzie King appoint a female senator

The Persons Case 1929 1928 – Supreme Court of Canada ruled

that women were not “persons” “Famous Five” appealed to the Judicial

Committee of the Privy Council (Britain) October 18, 1929 – JCPC declares

support for the women: › The exclusion of women from all public

offices is a relic of days more barbaric than ours... To those who ask why the word [“person”] should include females the obvious answer is why should it not? (p.60)

Question: As the realities of women's lives become the

subject of public discussion, and as women take more prominent places in society, laws concerning women also change. New laws are introduced for their protection, to guarantee their rights, and to recognize their special concerns. What are some of the laws that especially concern women? Consider issues of family violence and "stalking," abortion and genetic research, affirmative action and gender equity. Do laws reflect social changes, or can they actually create changes in public attitudes?

A New Prosperity Booming economy = people have

money! Cars Radios Movies College students swallowing goldfish Six-day bicycle races http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZcM

yMOb3iA

“Roaring Twenties” Dancing

› Charleston› Shimmy› Turkey Trot

Tourism› Jobs in railways, hotels, holiday resorts› In 1929, 4 million Americans spent $300

million vacationing in Canada

Fashion

Influenced by the U.S. Men:

› Straw hates› Form-fitting double-breasted suits› Bell-bottom pants› Bow ties› Slicked-down hair

Fashion Women:

› “flappers”› “bobbed” hair› Hemlines above the knees› Silk stockings› Dresses that promoted the

flat-chested look

Increased Mobility Invention of the assembly line (Henry

Ford, 1913) meant that cars could be made quickly and cheaply

Model T Ford

Automobiles Model T Ford

› All identical› Cost less than

$300!› One made every 3

minutes› Workers made

$5/day – well above average – but no unions allowed

Highways Increased tenfold Physical barriers of Canadian Shield

and Rocky Mountains delayed the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway

Better highways in the U.S. › Led B.C. to change to right-hand side

driving

White Spot First drive-in restaurant in Canada in

1928

Aviation P.62

Improved Communications Telephone was a standard household

appliance Radio

› Broke down isolation› Mostly U.S. stations – small Canadian ones

couldn’t compete

Movies Silent, accompanied by an orchestra or

piano and subtitles Canadian films couldn’t compete Hollywood glamour

› Mary Pickford, born in Toronto, known as “America’s Sweetheart”

“talkies” arrived in 1927› Laurel and Hardy› Marx Brothers

A New Canadian Art Emily Carr:

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10214

Group of Seven New post-war national confidence Interpret Canada’s rugged landscape

as they saw it: broad, bold strokes and vibrant colours

http://www.groupofsevenart.com/

Questions?