Justice and Injustice Women Timeline - Charley

Segregation of Viola Desmand -1

1946

Viola Desmond was a young Black women who suffered from racial discrimination. In 1946, Viola was arrested for refusing to leave a “Whites-only section” in the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Although she was never unpardoned in her lifetime, she spread awareness in all of Canada. Viola Desmond’s significance is shown on the Canadian $10 bill which features her (Bigham para. 1).

Elsie Knott +2

1954

Elise Knott was the first woman to be elected chief of a First Nation Community. She was also a member of the Mud Lake Reserve, which is now known as the Curve Lake First Nation, in Ontario. She is significant to Canadian history because she was an Ojibwe chief for fourteen years, from 1954 to 1962, and also 1970 to 1976 (Skelly para. 1).

[TURNING POINT] Women's Suffrage +2

1960

Women’s suffrage is the right for all women to vote in political elections or run for public office. The process of Women's suffrage took decades of struggles, unfair, and unjust treatments. However, the suffrage was a highly significant voice that represented hope and improvements in women employments, healthcare, and education systems through Canada (Strong-Boag para. 1).

[TURNING POINT] Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada +2

1967

The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1967. The creation of the commission was based on the female activists who wished for a more just Canada (“Royal Commission of the Status of Women in Canada '' para. 1). 32 women’s groups campaigned for months all around Canada. Therefore, on February 3, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson created the Royal Commission on the Status of Women (Morris para. 1).

[TURNING POINT] The Canadian Human Rights Act +2

1977

The Canadian Human Rights Act was passed in 1977. It forbids discrimination against race, age, religion, and sex. That ensured all women would have equal pay and value. However, this act, which provides equal rights, only governs federal jurisdictions as each province and territory have their own human rights legislation (Kirkup para. 1).