Released on October 3, 2016
“The 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote in Canada and Saskatchewan” is the theme of Women’s History Month in Saskatchewan this year. Women’s History Month is recognized every October across Canada in association with the anniversary of the “Persons Case” of 1929, in which Canadian women were formally recognized as “persons” under the law.
This year marks the journey of a woman’s right to political participation in Saskatchewan, bringing equality to the provincial democratic process. On March 14, 1916, Saskatchewan women won the right to vote and hold provincial office.
“The right to vote is one of the most fundamental privileges of citizenship,” Minister responsible for the Status of Women Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “It empowers citizens to influence government decision-making and to safeguard their human rights. Our government is pleased to support Women’s History Month and honour the work of remarkable women throughout Saskatchewan’s history who pressed for change, despite social barriers, discrimination and resistance, to make Saskatchewan a better place for all.”
In 2016, Saskatchewan women make up 51 per cent of the population and bring their own unique perspectives to influence dialogues on social, economic, political and public policy issues. To celebrate the journey of women’s right to political participation in Canada and Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Status of Women Office website (www.saskatchewan.ca/swo) will profile distinguished women who served in public office and made a mark in Saskatchewan history each week in October.
Some women of distinction include:
• Sarah Ramsland, Saskatchewan’s first female Member of the Legislative Assembly;
• Ida M. Petterson, first Saskatchewan woman to serve as mayor of a Saskatchewan city; and
• Sylvia Fedoruk, first woman to serve as Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca