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News Releases
May 31, 2000
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
FIRST MILLENNIAL PRESENTATION OF GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARDS IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PERSONS CASE
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) today called for nominations for the 2000 Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. Five individuals are honoured each year at the Persons Awards, for their outstanding contributions to promote women's equality.
"I invite Canadians to submit nominations of people whose leadership and excellence in any field, either a paid or unpaid capacity, has helped in the challenge for equality for women of all ages," Dr. Fry said. "In celebration of the new Millennium, for the first time in the history of the Awards, we have added a youth Award to honour young Canadians who are making positive changes for women in our communities." The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2000.
The Awards were instituted by the Governor General in 1979 to honour the 50th anniversary of the "Persons Case" and the five Alberta women whose determination led to a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality. The Famous Five achieved not only the right for women to serve in the Senate, but they and their many contributions paved the way for women to participate in other aspects of public life.
Since 1979, 112 Canadians have received the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. Previous recipients include: Bertha Allen, a former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, who worked on the creation of a new constitution for the western Northwest Territories; Dr. Bette Stephenson, former president of the Canadian Medical Association, who is active in providing women in poverty, situations information about birth control and family planning; Jacqueline Sicotte Béïque, who was a leader in the movement which fought for votes for women in Quebec; Florence Bird, who chaired the Royal Commission on the Status of Women; Anne Marie Perry, teacher, mother and businesswoman from Prince Edward Island, an advocate for girl's education within the school system.
For individuals and organizations wishing to nominate one or more candidates for the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, nomination forms and complete Awards eligibility criteria are available from Status of Women, 350 Albert Street, 5th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 1C3. Telephone: (613) 995-7835, Fax: (613) 957-3359, TDD: (613) 996-1322, E-mail: publications@swc-cfc.gc.ca. Nomination forms and eligibility criteria are also available on the Internet at: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/persons/persone.html.
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