1. The Changing Role of Women
Socials 11
Chapter 3
Ms. Campbell

2. Changing Times
Agnes Macphail:
Became the first woman MP in 1921 (only woman till 1935)
Nellie McClung:
Obtained the right for Manitoban women to vote

3. Agnes Macphail
Nellie McClung

4. New Roles? Wives and mothers
New labour-saving devices meant that women were expected to uphold higher standards
Refrigerator
Vacuum
Washing machine
Electric iron

5. 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

6. On This Day...

7. The Persons Case
Emily Murphy:

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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?

11. A New Prosperity Booming economy = people have money! Cars Radios
Movies
College students swallowing goldfish
Six-day bicycle races

12. “Roaring Twenties” Dancing Tourism Charleston Shimmy Turkey Trot
Jobs in railways, hotels, holiday resorts
In 1929, 4 million Americans spent $300 million vacationing in Canada

13. Fashion Influenced by the U.S. Men: Straw hates
Form-fitting double-breasted suits
Bell-bottom pants
Bow ties
Slicked-down hair

14. Fashion Women: “flappers” “bobbed” hair Hemlines above the knees
Silk stockings
Dresses that promoted the flat-chested look

15. Increased Mobility
Invention of the assembly line (Henry Ford, 1913) meant that cars could be made quickly and cheaply
Model T Ford

16. 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

17. 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

18. White Spot
First drive-in restaurant in Canada in 1928

19. Aviation
P.62

20. Improved Communications
Telephone was a standard household appliance
Radio
Broke down isolation
Mostly U.S. stations – small Canadian ones couldn’t compete

21. 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

22. A New Canadian Art
Emily Carr:

23. Group of Seven New post-war national confidence
Interpret Canada’s rugged landscape as they saw it: broad, bold strokes and vibrant colours

24. Questions?