Emily Murphy (1868-1933)
Emily was born in Cookstown Ontario. The mother of two was an author before arriving in Edmonton in 1907. In the 1920's Canadian women were not allowed to own property, if their husbands were to die the land would go to a male in the family and the women would lose everything. Emily thought that this was wrong; she tried to change the rights for women. A lawyer repeatedly challenged her rulings but she didn't let him stand in her way of changing the rights of women. In 1927, she led the legal challenge the person's case, and eventually succeeded because of Emily a woman is now considered a person. Emily also helped to pass the Women’s Protection Act, which gave the women one-third of the husband’s property if anything were to happen. In 1933, Emily died from a heart attack in her sleep.
"I think women can save civilization."
Emily Murphy - Judge and one of the "Famous Five". Source: Poster produced by the Famous Five Foundation.
"I think women can save civilization."
Emily Murphy - Judge and one of the "Famous Five". Source: Poster produced by the Famous Five Foundation.