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October 18, 2005

SIX WOMEN TO BE HONOURED WITH THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARDS IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PERSONS CASE

OTTAWA - In Recognition of Persons Day 2005, the Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women, is pleased to announce the names of the recipients of this year's Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. The awards, which honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of life for women in Canada, will be presented at Rideau Hall on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 10:30 a.m.

"The journey toward women's equality follows a long road, and there are many landmarks along the way. The six women we are honouring today have made great contributions in moving us forward on our journey," Minister Frulla said. "They share much with the ‘Famous Five' who inspired these Awards, including a life-long commitment to continuing the work of advancing equality for women."

This year's recipients are:

Ruth Marion C.R. Bell, C.M., B.A., M.A., LL.D. (Hon. Causa), of Ottawa, has dedicated 50 years to improving the quality of life for women and children, in a variety of leadership roles, such as president of the Ottawa, Nepean and Canadian Federation of University Women.

Bonnie Diamond, of Gatineau, Quebec, among many other contributions, championed women's human rights by helping to secure Sections 15 and 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and advanced legal reform for women.

Aoua Bocar LY-Tall of Montréal has dedicated her life to women's rights, including staging a passionate fight against the practice of female genital mutilation in Africa.

Josephine Enero Pallard, of Edmonton, has for 30 years worked tirelessly on behalf of immigrant and refugee women, and in support of Changing Together… A Centre for Immigrant Women. She is also a leader in anti-racism work.

Youth Award recipient Erica Jamie (Samms) Hurley, of Mount Moriah, Newfoundland, is a youth director with the Native Women's Association of Canada, and winner of the Native Friendship Award and Corbière-Lavell/Mary Two Axe Early Student Scholarship. She is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal women.

Muriel Stanley Venne, of Edmonton, has dedicated herself for over 30 years to advancing the status of Aboriginal women, particularly Métis women. She has served on the boards of many organizations, and is a leader, counselor and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.

The Persons Case is a significant historical landmark in the fight for equality by Canadian women. In 1929, five Canadian women - Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby et Nellie McClung - who became known as "The Famous Five", fought and won the right for women to be recognized as persons and therefore, eligible to sit in the Senate. The Government of Canada established the Governor General's Awards in 1979 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Persons Case decision, and to salute the contributions of contemporary women to the advancement of gender equality.

Status of Women Canada (SWC) is the federal government agency which promotes gender equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country. SWC focuses its work in three areas: improving women's economic autonomy and well-being, eliminating systemic violence against women and children, and advancing women's human rights. For more information, visit the website at http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/

Information:

Jean-François Del Torchio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788

Chantal Turcotte
Chief, Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
(613) 943-1304