Herstory Month – celebrating women's achievements

"The great delight from the beginning of Herstory has been the infinite range of women's stories and works that have been discovered, uncovered, rediscovered"

Quick - what are the names of the ‘Famous Five’ women?  Stumped - don't feel alone.   Unfortunately,  very few Canadians can answer this question.  During the month of October events across Canada hope to bring Women's Herstory to life (the answer can be found at the bottom of the page).

Even many women do not realize the rich legacy left to them by a multitude of remarkable women who helped pave the way for women everywhere to be able to pursue their dreams and attain their goals.

Highlighting the achievements and contributions of women

Women's role in society has grown and changed dramatically over the centuries.  The sacrifices and labour of the previous generations of women have won many of the rights and privileges enjoyed by women today.

"We should remember and respect these forerunners as well as honouring those who are working diligently today to make significant contributions within their sphere of influence," says James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees.

"Herstory has no end because the field of women's history is still wide open. The great delight from the beginning of Herstory has been the infinite range of women's stories and works that have been discovered, uncovered, rediscovered."

October 2005 is an especially busy Herstory month

On October 17, 2005, women all over the world will follow the sun around the earth in an action called 24 hours of feminist solidarity. At noon, in all time zones on the planet, women are encouraged to take to the streets to show their support for the Women’s Global Charter for Humanity and the values it stands for: equality, freedom, justice, peace and solidarity.

Since March 8th,  2005 – International Women’s Day – there has been a world relay of the Women’s Global Charter for Humanity. The Charter is a proposal to build a world where exploitation, oppression, intolerance and exclusion no longer exists and where integrity, diversity and the rights and freedoms of all are respected.

The Charter has traveled to 50 focal points around the world, and women have organized popular education activities and demonstrations to raise awareness of its content and to challenge decision-makers in their countries. Other women have used the Charter to organize debates with allies on the necessity to change women’s lives if we want to change the world. And others are using the Charter to support their daily campaigns to resist exclusion, violence and war.

PSI Pay Equity Week – From October 3rd-7th, 2005

In 2002, PSI (Public Services International) adopted a 5-year pay equity campaign, which was endorsed by the World Women’s Committee.

PSI has been active in developing union awareness about the issue – and notably, the ILO (International Labour Organisation) has agreed to support a series of tripartite meetings on pay equity, culminating in an international high-level expert’s meeting in 2007.

There is no country in the world that has yet achieved wage equality between men and women.

“The continuing wage gap between women and men doing work of equal value needs to be closed up and eradicated”, stated National Union President James Clancy. “Pay Equity legislation needs to be proactive and move into the 21st century of labour relations and instill the rights of all workers, regardless of gender. Pay inequity is discrimination – plain and simple.”

The Famous Five

The Famous Five were all Albertans: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby. They overcame tremendous obstacles, especially in their role in the Persons’ case (recognition of women as persons), and they were all very politically and socially active - particularly for women's rights.

In October 2000, a monument of the Famous Five was unveiled on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Famous Five are today celebrated both as liberators of women and as builders of the Canadian nation.  NUPGE

For more information:

• Women's issues and the National Union

• PSI Pay Equity Action Week

• World March of Women

Web posted by NUPGE: 19 September 2005

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