BROCHURE

The Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case are presented annually to individual Canadians who have earned our respect and appreciation through their contributions to the goal of equality for women in Canada. The Awards were instituted by the Governor General in 1979 to mark the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking Persons Case, which changed the course of history for women in Canada.

THE PERSONS CASE

The Persons Case victory of 1929 was a turning point in the struggle of Canadian women for equality. For eight years, groups had repeatedly requested that a woman be appointed to the Senate, naming Judge Emily Murphy as their candidate. Three consecutive prime ministers were advised not to appoint her on the basis that women were not "qualified persons" under the British North America Act, the constitution that governed Canada.

Emily Murphy invited four Alberta leaders - Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby - to join her in an appeal to the British Empire's highest court. In 1929, after years of hard work and many setbacks, the Famous Five claimed victory when the Privy Council ruled women were indeed "qualified persons" and therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate.

Through their determination, the Famous Five achieved not only the right for women to serve in the Senate but helped pave the way for women to participate equally in all other aspects of public life.

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARDS

Candidates for the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case must be Canadian citizens and over 30 years of age. Youth Award nominees must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years.

The Awards honour outstanding individuals who have contributed to the goal of equality for girls and women in Canada, demonstrated by leadership and excellence in any field, in either a paid or unpaid capacity.

Candidates will be considered whose actions demonstrate the courage and determination required to significantly advance the cause of equality for girls and women. For example, candidates may have identified and found innovative solutions to particular challenges facing women; lobbied for groups and services for women; initiated valuable public awareness and education activities; or contributed their creative energies to recording, illuminating and improving the situation of women.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Nominations for the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case may be submitted by individuals, community groups, business organizations or others. Status of Women Canada acts as the Secretary of the Awards and nomination forms are available at the address below or from the Web site at: www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

Please provide all of the information requested on the nomination form, including an outline of the candidate's achievements with respect to advancing equality for girls and women in Canadian society.

Nominations should include letters of support stating specific reasons for the candidate's nomination, and a résumé or curriculum vitae covering the candidate's career, volunteer work, awards and other notable achievements.

Status of Women Canada will not accept bound materials (e.g., stapled, Cerlox or spiral-bound) and is not responsible for the loss or damage, whatever the cause, of support material. Any support materials sent to Status of Women Canada will not be returned.

The Jury for the Persons Case Awards is a duly appointed independent body. The Jury reviews all nominations and transmits its decisions to Status of Women Canada, which coordinates the Persons Case Awards ceremony with the Governor General's office.

Status of Women Canada keeps all nominations confidential. We ask that nominators and others involved respect this policy.

Nomination forms should be submitted to the following address:

Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case
Status of Women Canada

123 Slater Street, 10th Floor, Ottawa ON K1P 1H9

Phone: 613-995-7835
Facsimile: 613-943-2386

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NOMINATION FORM

(CONFIDENTIAL WHEN COMPLETED/PLEASE PRINT)

Note: Status of Women Canada keeps all nominations confidential. We ask that nominators and others involved respect this policy.

NAME OF CANDIDATE		DATE OF BIRTH
ADDRESS
CITY/TOWN		PROVINCE	POSTAL CODE
(AREA CODE)	TELEPHONE - RESIDENCE	(AREA CODE)	TELEPHONE - OFFICE
FAX		E-MAIL
SPONSORED BY: (NAME OF INDIVIDUAL AND/OR ORGANIZATION - IF APPLICABLE)
ADDRESS
CITY/TOWN		PROVINCE	POSTAL CODE
(AREA CODE)	TELEPHONE - RESIDENCE	(AREA CODE)	TELEPHONE - OFFICE
FAX		E-MAIL

All nomination material should be provided on 8.5" x 11" paper. Material should be single-sided to facilitate reproduction.

Material may be paper-clipped but must not be stapled or bound.

PLEASE ENCLOSE THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL

Statement of nomination

• Describe in approximately 250 words the reasons to consider the nominee. Include in particular those activities that the candidate has undertaken to promote equality for women and girls.
  
  
• Describe the candidate's volunteer or paid work and the names of the organizations and/or communities involved. Describe the candidate's responsibilities within these organizations and/or communities.
  
  
• Describe the candidate's innovative approaches, lobbying or advocacy efforts to advance equality for women and girls in Canadian society. Provide detailed, specific examples of the results of the candidate's efforts, including solutions to specific problems, outstanding achievements or laws that were changed.

Candidate's résumé or curriculum vitæ

• Provide a separate outline of the candidate's background, career, and current work. Include volunteer work, education, awards and other notable achievements.

Letters of support

• Provide a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) single-page letters written in direct support of the nomination.

Status of Women Canada will not accept bound materials (e.g., stapled, Cerlox or spiral-bound) and is not responsible for the loss or damage, whatever the cause, of support materials. Any support materials sent to Status of Women Canada will not be returned.

Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case
Status of Women Canada
123 Slater Street, 10th Floor, Ottawa ON K1P 1H9
Fax: 613-943-2386