Emily Murphy: Canadian Womens Rights Activist Essay -- Biography Biog

Emily Murphy Canadian Womens Rights Activist It was only in this century that women in Canada had equal rights asmen. But this would never happen if women themselves would not start fighting for their rights. One of these women was Emily Murphy and hergreatest achievement, Emily proved that women are persons and thereforethey have the right to mesh in any political office. Her life andpolitical career lead her to this achievement. Emily Gowan Ferguson was born on March 14, 1868 in a village ofCookstown. It was Uncle Thomas who was a politician and who influencedEmilys interest in politics. At fifteen Emily moved to Toronto andattended the Bishop Strachan School for Girls. Emily married ReverendArthur Murphy in 1887 in Anglican church of St. Johns in Cookstown and in1904 she and her husband moved to Winnipeg. Mrs. Murphy conducted theliterary section of the Winnipeg Tribune for a few years before moving toAlberta in 1907. In her unexampled home Emily became very do workive in civicaffairs especially in law that would improve the rights of women andchildren. In 1900s in Alberta any man who, for example, had a farm and wasmarried could sell that farm and leave his wife and children walking awaywith the money. Mrs. Murphy was angry that Alberta would allow suchdisgrace. In 1910 Emily was still fighting for the Dower Act which wouldrecognize a married womans entitlement to a share of the common propertyin a marriage. For the first time the act was turned down, Emily notgiving up tried very hard until 1911 when Dower Act was passed. Itprovided that a wife must get a third gear of her husbands estate, even when hedid not leave a will. It was a major victory fo... ... died of diabetes... Emily died ofdiabetes only she was still part of many pile who helped her achievingwhat she did. Some of these people were women like Mrs. Nellie McClung,Louise McKinney, Henriette Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby. Thanks to JudgeMurphy Canada was the eigh th country which gave women equal rights. Emilysaccomplishments prove that she was a very hard working women with greatcourage but the most important thing she did not give up on anything thatis why Mrs. Murphy achieved what she intended to achieve, womens freedomin Canada.BibliographyCleverdon L. Catherine. The Women Suffrage Movement In Canada. Universityof Toronto Press, Toronto and Buffalo, 1975.Mander Christine. Emily Murphy Rebel. Simon & Pierre, Toronto, 1985.Women suffrage movement. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. Funk &Wagnalls Inc., 1986