A leader takes responsibility for his or her experience
and has confidence that change is possible though committed
effort. At a time when social conditions limited the
experience of women in Canada, the Famous 5 emerged as
examples of individuals willing to pursue justice and the
amelioration of social ills.
Armed with the understanding that a society’s behaviours
are shaped by the laws it upholds, the Famous 5 worked
individually and collectively to challenge the legal
definitions of woman’s role in early 20th century Canada.
Despite a multitude of setbacks, the Famous 5 and their
supporters (both men and women across the dominion)
persisted for years, systematically achieving one success
after the another. Though the Famous 5 worked primarily to
create equality between the sexes, and pursued rights for
women in both the public and private spheres, their
victories could be felt by everyone and served to strengthen
families as well as entire communities.
Their story is remarkable, five women from Alberta who
decided to take up the cause of women, and ended up changing
the course of Canadian culture forever. Their experience
shall stand as a testament and inspiration for future
generations and their quest to affect change and create the
world they collectively want to live in.