The historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal – the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain – on October 18, 1929. This gave women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women’s increased participation in public and political life.

October 18 is now celebrated as Persons Day, and the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case are awarded each year in October to mark the historic Persons Case decision.

The five women who pursued the case have become known as the Famous Five, including Nellie McClung, after whom Nellie’s was named. They were journalists, magistrates and politicians who were influenced by a number of reform movements that took root in the early twentieth century. Their arduous legal quest, which began in 1927, resulted in a milestone victory and was a turning point for equality rights in Canada.