Supreme court appeal decision in the Yvonne Bedard case over gender discrimination in the Indian Act with respect to aboriginal women losing band status if they marry a non-aboriginal man or someone from a different band.
Supreme court appeal decision in the Yvonne Bedard case over gender discrimination in the Indian Act with respect to aboriginal women losing band status if they marry a non-aboriginal man or someone from a different band.
Correspondence, memorandum, notes, court documents, and copies of newspaper clippings from the Department of Justice regarding the Yvonne Bedard case over gender discrimination in the Indian Act with respect to aboriginal women losing band status if they marry a non-aboriginal man or someone from a different band. Includes correspondence with the Six Nations Iroquois about band regulations about women losing status upon marriage to a white man and references to the Jeanette Corbiere Lavell case over the same issue.
Correspondence, memorandum, and copies of newspaper clippings regarding Yolanda Cossette East's support for the Human Rights Institute of Canada, bilingualism, Quebec separatism, the Meech Lake Accord, Canadian history and the battle of the Plains of Abraham, and "The Weak Link, Quebec: A Chain is Only as Strong as its Weakest Link!" by Yolanda Cossette East.
Correspondence and copies of newspaper clippings regarding Quebec's participation in World Wars I and II and social attitudes about Quebec's involvement in World War II.
The Women – Women’s Programs within the Federal Government subseries contains 5 files discussing the status of women in society. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including fact sheets and background information, correspondence, reports, presentations, newspaper clippings, press releases, and government publications. The specific topics this subseries covers are the status of women in the labour force, political and social equality of women, childcare for working mothers, and biographical information on Sylva Gelber, Director of the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour.
The Women – Women’s Organizations subseries contains 49 files discussing women’s organizations from across Canada and their work for women’s rights. Files are arranged by organization, type, and chronology. This subseries contains a variety of document types including journals, correspondence, magazines, memorandum, newspaper clippings, newsletters, press releases, reports, presentations, and conference materials. The specific topics this subseries covers are the status of women, employment equality, childcare, status rights of aboriginal women, women in government, divorce and maintenance payments, sex work, maternity leave, education for women, women’s roles, status rights of married women, communism and the cold war, women’s representation, Persons Case II, abortion, racism, and gender discrimination.
The Women – Women’s Struggles with the Federal Government subseries contains 32 files discussing members of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the work members are focused on, and Council documents. Files are arranged by person or type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, press releases, reports, legislation, transcripts, speeches, meeting minutes, biographies, House of Commons debates, Senate debates, policies, fact sheets, and background information. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Persons Case, the Famous Five, support for Persons Case II, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and a follow-up 20 years later, legal rights of women, immigration, the Human Rights Act and Human Rights Commission, abortion, pay equality, violence against women, discrimination against women, United Nations conferences on discrimination against women, gender based policy analysis, funding for research into women’s rights and issues, maternity leave, labour equality, women in politics, and the advancement of women in developing nations.
The Women – Sexual Harassment – Bonnie Robichaud’s Case subseries contains 19 files discussing the sexual harassment lawsuit of Bonnie Robichaud, a cleaner for the Department of National Defense base in North Bay, Ontario, against her supervising foreman and the resulting Supreme Court of Canada landmark decision holding employers responsible for ending sexual harassment in the workplace. Files are arranged chronologically or by type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, court documents, newspaper clippings, informational pamphlets, newsletters, press releases, affidavits, memorandum, legislation, and case reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are Bonnie Robichaud’s sexual harassment lawsuit, narratives of the events, tracking of the process of the court case, affidavits from Marguerite Ritchie on workplace sexual harassment submitted for the case, informational booklets written by Bonnie Robichaud about workplace sexual harassment, comparisons of workplace harassment and discrimination laws before and after this case, and case studies of sexual harassment and workplace harassment in Canada. This case was appealed several times, including to the Human Rights Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Canada before resolving in favour of Bonnie Robichaud.
The Women’s Rights series is the second largest series, containing 22 subseries. Subseries are arranged by subject matter and chronology, based on supplied subject titles. Materials were created between 1939 and 2008, and also includes research materials dating from 1800. This series is primarily focused on women’s issues and issues of legal, political, and social equality for women. There is a broad range of topics represented in this series, including women’s roles, workplace sexual harassment, the merit principle, women’s education, women’s employment and career opportunities, women in politics, women in public service, family life, divorce, child custody, effects of sexism on the poor, additional discrimination against aboriginal women, female refugees, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, and the exclusivity of gendered language.
Significant portions of material in this series is research compiled by the HRI and HRI volunteers. These include newspaper clippings, magazine articles, historical legislation, government publications, and articles that discuss and trace how women are viewed, the achievements of women, efforts made by women’s organizations and the federal government to improve the status of women, social issues that have a strong impact on women, changing social values and mores, Senate reform, the Persons Case, and the Famous Five. This series also contains materials created by the HRI including newsletters, memorandum, conference planning materials, press releases and other promotional materials, as well as correspondence between the HRI and various women’s organizations, politicians, and public servants. These materials discuss HRI’s efforts to highlight double standards and unequal treatment to improve equality and equal opportunity for women. The issues covered and perspectives taken in this series are reflective of the feminism of the period.
The main focus of the HRI’s efforts for women’s equality was Persons Case II. This was the HRI’s attempt to bring a case to the Supreme Court of Canada for Senate reform and women’s rights. Persons Case II sought to get a reference to the Supreme Court to decide whether the government was obligated by the equal rights clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to appoint women to Senate on an equal basis as men, as the HRI believed that if women made up half the Canadian Senate they would be able to enact real change. It was named Persons Case II in reference to the Persons Case of 1927- 1929. The Persons Case was fought by the Famous Five and referred to the Supreme Court by Liberal Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. After appealing the initial Supreme Court ruling, the Judicial Committee of the Imperial Privy Council in London, England, overturned the decision and deemed women eligible for appointment to the Senate as persons with all penalties and privileges under the law. Despite gaining significant support for Persons Case II throughout the 1980s and 1990s, various Ministers of Justice and Prime Ministers repeatedly declined to refer the case to the Supreme Court, citing no exceptional circumstances, the issue not being important enough to involve the Supreme Court, and finally, as Prime Minister Jean Chretien did appoint women to the Senate on an equal basis with men, such a reference was seen as unnecessary.
House of Commons briefing notes, reports, directories, bulletins, agendas, brochures, and study guides regarding the status of women, Department of the Secretary of the State Women's Program, women's groups, and International Women's Year (1975).
Programs, correspondence, annual reports, memorandum, directories, newspaper and magazine clippings, building plans, article "Should you have a marriage contract?" from Chatelaine (1964), biographical notes and resumes, questionnaires, and treasurer's reports regarding the University Women's Club and resolutions for marital law equailty, and including personal correspondence between M.E. Ritchie and Mollie Gillen, author of many of the articles included.
Invitations, brochures, correspondence (including greeting cards), copies of newspaper clippings (including photos), notes, revisions to the Constitution and Bylaws, meeting preparations, minutes, treasurer's reports, directories, excerpt from Encyclopedia Brittanica article "Women, Education of," corresonding secretary's reports, highlights in clubs activities, notes, resumes, blueprints of the Ottawa Courthouse, article excerpts, poems, songs, and questionnaires regarding the University Women's Club and M.E. Ritchie's involvement as vice-president and president, including resolutions on the equal rights of women in law and education. Acts consulted include the Female Employees Fair Renumeration Act, 1951, and the position of widows under the Dominion Succession Act.
Correspondence, newspaper clippings (and copies, including photos), copy of M.E. Ritchie's Canadian Who's Who article (2003), annual reports, notes, copies of press releases, brief on the Constitution Amendment 1987 (Meech Lake Accord), invitations, memorandum, newsletters, receipts, completed form, curriculum vitae, copy of an article by Mollie Gillen, "A lawyer: Divorce isn't fair to women," published by Chatelain (1971), and Constitution and Bylaws regarding the continued functioning of the club without M.E. Ritchie as president, and the club's preliminary involvement with the Human Rights Institute, including Persons Case II.
Copies of newspaper clippings (including photos), brochures, invitations, correspondence, Canadian Authors Association (Ottawa branch) meeting minutes, procedures, speech notes, newsletters, a transcript of a Trans-Canada Matinee new commentary (1959), reports, press releases, Canadian Federation of University Women Constitution and Bylaws, House of Commons Debates Official Report, volume 101, number 36, Ottawa (1957), and directories regarding the functioning of the University Women's Club and its resolutions, including gender equality in politics.
The Women’s Legal Research Materials subseries contains 100 files of legal research pertaining to women’s rights and issues that affect women. This subseries contains legal research materials including Supreme Court decisions, provincial and federal legislation, legal dictionary entries, House of Commons and Senate debates, legal articles, and constitutional law research materials. The specific topics this subseries covers are divorce, women’s education, the Canadian labour code, jury duty, status of women, pay equality, gender discrimination, offshore mineral rights, female Senators, child custody, maintenance payments, child abuse and seduction laws, welfare, the justice system, professional ethics, human trafficking, the Indian Act, pensions, civil servants, historical divorce cases, segregation and civil rights, representation of women, women’s roles, gendered language in law, rights of married women and widows, veterans, appointment of judges, constitutional law, illegitimate children, immigration, and genocide. Date ranges refer to publication dates of historical legislation, though files contain copies only.
Addresses by Sylva Gelber, Director of the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour, correspondence, newspaper clippings (including photos), reports, recommendations, "The New Role of Women" by Sylva Gelber, presented at New Morality: Challenge to Old Values Symposium, Toronto (1969), and notes regarding the status of women and labour, social, and political equality.
Fact sheets, newspaper clippings (including photos), memorandum, notes, correspondence, papers and an article written by Sylva Gelber (e.g. The Rights of Man and the Status of Women, 1973 - includes French translation), regarding biographical information on Sylva Gelber, Director of the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour, the Royal Commisson on the Status of Women, labour and social equality.
Booklets "If I Go to University," Vocational and Technical Training for girls in Canada at high school, post high school and trade school levels," Women at Work in Canada," "The Law Relating to Working Women," and "Legislation Concerning the Employment of Women: Provincial laws (Ontario)" published by the Women's Bureau and/or the Department of Labour Canada/ Labour Canada regarding women's education, employment, law and legislation relating to the employment of women. Also includes Women's Bureau '72, the fourth annual publication of the Women's Bureau.
Directories, reports, training session notes, discussion paper series, and provincial labour standars regarding the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labour Canada, women's organizations, women's education, labour equality, and equal pay.
"A Niche of Usefulness: How handicapped women may learn to help themselves with the aid of vocational rehabilitation services in Canada," "Equal Pay for Equal Work," "Women at Work in Canada," "Status of Women in Canada 1973," "Changing Patterns in Women's Employment" (includes annotations), "Maternity Protection for Women Workers in Canada," "Whys and Wherefores: An enquiry into women's occupational choices," and "Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1955" published by Department of Labour Canada (also and later known as Canada Department of Labour and Department of Labour of Canada), the Women's Bureau, and the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, the Honourable John C. Munro.
Press releases, Women's Bureau bulletins (1961-5), correspondence, papers (some French summaries), notes. facts sheets, copies and reprints of articles from the Labour Gazette, bibliographies, and reports regarding the activities of the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and labour and social equality, including childcare for working mothers.
Women's Bureau, Canada Department of Labour publications of papers regarding women in the work force, child care for working mothers, and women's employment. Also includes background research for the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour, later named Labour Canada.
Women's Bureau, Canada Department of Labour publications of papers and facts and figures regarding women in the work force, child care for working mothers, and women's employment.
A copy of The German Woman and her Master by Henry de Halsalle and C. Sheridan Jones, published by T. Werner Laurie Ltd.; a copy of Caroline Norton by Alice Acland, annotated with notes from M.E. Ritchie and others, published by Constable and Company Ltd.
Extract from Valparaiso University Law Review "Equal Pay, Equal Employment Opportunity and Equal Enforcement of the Law for Women," magazine article by Gene Marine and Art Goldberg about class inequality in the interpretation of abortion laws, "The Strange Story of Dr. James Barry: Army Surgeon, Inspector General of Hospitals, discovered on death to be a woman" by Isobel Rae, and "The Prostitute Regulation and Control: A Comparative Study" by Arthur J. Currie and John F. Decker.
Extracts from "The College, The Market and The Court" by Caroline Dall; Bill 86: A Bill to Establish the Women's Cultural and Information Bureau (3rd session, 15th Legislature, Alberta); extract from Publication of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children (Montreal); extracts from "On Liberty - The Subjection of Women" by John Stuart Mill.
The History of the Law of England as to the Effects of Marriage on Property and on the Wife's Legal Capacity by Courtney Stanhope Kenny, Fellow and Law lecturer of Downing College, Cambridge; chapters "Sterilization" and "Artificial Insemination" from The Sanctity of Life and the Criminal Law by Glanville Williams; The High-Caste Hindu Woman by Pundita Ramabai Sarasvati.
"Woman: Her Character, Culture and Calling" published by the Book and Bible House, Brantford, Ontario; Proceedings of A Symposium on Sex Education for those involved in an aspect of Education or Counselling in Toronto -- "Family Life Education: A Community Repsonsibility"; a copy of Don't: A Woman's Word by Elly Danica.
A copy of Women in Prison: A Study in Penal Methods by Ann. D. Smith, published by Stevens and Sons Ltd.
"Women: A Bibliography" by Lucinda Cisler; "Miss Christabel Pankhurst: The Militant Suffragette," a speech delivered by Pankhurst; "The Social Background of the Reformation" by Preserved Smith; a copy of the Introduction of Petticoats and Prejudice: Women and Law in Nineteenth-Century Canada by Constance Backhouse; a copy of the article "Pornography -- not sex but the obscene use of power" by Helen Dudar from Ms. magazine; "Single Women in the Public Service in Centre Town Ottawa: A Survey of Resources" published by the Canadian Research Centre for Anthropology; articles from The National Legal News Magazine November/December 1973; "Should American Colleges be open to Women as well as to Men?: A paper presented to the Twentieth Annual Convocation of the Univsersity of the State of New York" by Frederick Barnard; "The Reformation of the Family: A discourse" by Pere Hyacinthe; The Assaulted Wife: "Catch 22" Revisited (A Preliminary Overview of Wife-Beating in Michigan) by Sue Eisenberg and Patricia Micklow.
The Women – Research – Books, Booklets, and Pamphlets subseries contains 52 files of published materials discussing women’s rights. Some files are arranged by source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including brochures, facts sheets, recommendations, reports, analyses, reviews, booklets, press releases, discussion papers, conference reports, briefing notes for the House of Commons, legislation, books, pamphlets, journals, magazines, and Parliamentary debates from Britain. The specific topics this subseries covers are sexual abuse, violence against women, divorce, women’s employment, family and criminal law, the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labour Canada, equal pay, labour laws and gender discrimination, immigration, citizenship, welfare and social services, education of girls and women, birth control, socialization, women's equality in Sweden and the USA, legal status of women, and women in prison.
The Women – Research subseries contains 7 files of publications from government departments and unions on women’s rights. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including government publications, House of Commons debates, union publications, minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Sub-Committee on Equality Rights of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, The Facts magazine, and government reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are affirmative action, equality in public service, gender based analysis, health and welfare, gender based violence, and sexual assault.
The Women – Prominent Feminists subseries contains 16 files discussing feminists, women’s organizations, and submissions of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. Files are arranged chronologically by person. This subseries contains a variety of document types including speeches, recommendations, correspondence, newspaper clippings, memorandum, transcripts, reports, analysis, conference planning documents, press releases, brochures, briefs, and submissions to the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. The specific topics this subseries covers are labour equality, education, childcare, marriage, abortion, gender roles, women in the work force, discrimination against women, women in the armed forces, women’s groups, women in law, aboriginal women, and the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, including the final report published in 1970 with 127 recommendations to promote gender equality and equal opportunity.
The Women – Newspaper Articles subseries contains 106 files of newspaper articles written on women’s rights and women’s issues. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains predominately newspaper clippings as well as some reports, newsletters, magazines, transcripts, and correspondence. The specific topics this subseries covers are women in politics, equal pay, women’s potential, working mothers, labour laws, women’s employment, women’s education, pensions, representation of women in politics and the media, fertility and menopause, sexual mores, sexual assault, religion, rape, divorce, crime, gender stereotypes, women in sports, infanticide, motherhood, sex work, juvenile delinquents, beauty standards, class discrimination, prison, birth control, abortion, sex education, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, the women’s liberation movement and feminism, civil rights and the challenges faced by black women, integration, women’s unions, desertion, gendered language, French-English relations in Canada, aboriginal life, representation of women and minorities in textbooks, women in politics and women’s rights in foreign countries, the Indian Act, women’s suffrage, Sharia law and the rights of Muslim women, maternity leave, segregation in South Africa, women in the USSR, aboriginal language rights, legalization of homosexual behaviour, female criminals, the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, the exclusion of women, and marriage name changes.
Newspaper clippings reporting women's capacities.
Newspaper clippings regarding sexual assault, sexual mores, and women's employment.
Newspaper clippings regarding women and religion.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in politics, gender roles in animals, family values, social mores, and what it means to be normal.
Newspaper clippings regarding the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, women in politicsand positions of authority, and judges charged with discrimination.
Newspaper clippings and correspondence regarding the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and the Women's Bureau.
Newspaper clippings regarding the U.S. Civil Rights movement and additional obstacles for black women.
Newspaper clippings regarding protests for integration, civil rights, and feminism.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in unions, French-English relations in Canada, representations of women and minorities in textbooks, and family court.
Newspaper clippings regarding representation of minorities in text books, politics, and religion.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment and women's role as housewife, wives, and mothers.
Newspaper clippings regarding International Women's Year, rights of aboriginal women, anti-women articles, health, immigration, Federal Government, and the Royal Commission on the Status of Women.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights and women's activity in politics in foreign countries, mainly India and Singapore.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights in foreign countries.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights in foreign countries, specifically Sweden and women's suffrage in Switzerland.
Correspondence, reports, magazine articles, and newspaper clippings regarding women's rights, equal pay, and discrimination.
Newspaper clippings featuring "basic quotes" on feminism and women's liberation.
Newspaper clippings regarding women pilots. Also includes articles about apartied.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, aboriginal language rights, women's rights and employment in foreign countries.
Newspaper clippings regarding discrimination based on gender and race, women's employment, and biases in the telling of history.
Newspaper clippings and reports regarding women's education, women's employment, women's rights in foreign countries, maternity leave, and pregnancy rights.
Newspaper clippings regarding discrimination against women, women's employment, women's rights in foreign countries, French language rights in Canada, and media pressure for gender equality.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in politics.
Newspaper clippings regarding girls' education and women's employment. Also includes copies of provincial legislation regarding anti-discrimination, labour laws, and a report on juvenile deliquency and working mothers.
Newspaper clippings regarding women and religion, sports, and medicine. Includes stories of unequal pay and laws.
Newspaper clippings regarding prostitution, adolescent dating, sexual assault, murder, gender stereotypes and roles.
Newspaper clippings regarding juvenile deliquents, beauty standards, sexual assault, gender roles and stereotypes.
Newspaper clippings regarding birth control and sexual education.
Newspaper clippings regarding the Royal Commission on the Status of Women.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's liberation movements and feminism.
Newspaper clippings regarding abortion and working mothers.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, women in public office, and women's representation in media and politics.
Newspaper clippings regarding appointment of women in government positions, women in politics in Canada and abroad, and women's unions.
Newspaper clippings regarding feminism, women in Japan, gender stereotypes, desertion, and welfare.
Newspaper clippings regarding feminism, women's employment, happiness, and northern aboriginal life.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment and breaking gender barriers.
Newspaper clippings regarding property, marriage, and law, as well as women's rights in various foreign countries, mainly the USA.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, feminism, and women's equality in the provinces.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, women's equality, and taxes.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights in foreign countries, specifically in regards to employment and dicorce.
Correspondence, reports, magazine articles, and newspaper clippings regarding women's rights in foreign countries, specifically in Israel regarding women's military service.
Newspaper clippings regard discrimination against women in the arts, employment, and education.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, aboriginal rights and representation.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, including the space program.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's social and legal equality, as well as "basic quotes" on feminism and women's liberation.
Newspaper clippings regarding bilingualism, Quebec referendums on separation, Quebec language laws, as well as various legisltation such as the death penalty.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in politics and women's employment. Also includes newsletters, conventions, and reports about human rights, as well as a copy of Provincial Laws "Legislation Concerning the Employment of Women" from 1945.
Newspaper clippings, newsletters, reports, correspondence, and notes regarding women's employment and pensions.
Newspaper clippings, notes, and government acts regarding women's education and employment. Also includes a copy of the "Canons of Legal Ethics" by the Canadian Bar Association.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment and representation in politics and media.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment and representation in politics and media. Also includes notes about recruiting women to politics.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's capacities as well as fertility, herpes, and menopause.
Newspaper clippings regarding illegitimate children, women in politics, and gender stereotypes.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in politics.
Newspaper clippings regarding gendered language, employment discrimination against women, class discrimination, prisons, birth control, abortion, commonlaw marriage, and sexual education.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's equality in Canada since the Persons Case and in United Nations resolutions.
Newspaper clippings regarding racial discrimination in Ottawa, French language rights, divorce, and women's employment.
Newspaper clippings regarding Jews, women's roles, women's education and employment.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights in Quebec, unwed mothers, and child welfare.
Newspaper clippings regarding women in sports, domestic abuse, rape, and women in religion.
Correspondence and newspaper clippings regarding women's employment, women's equality, and taxes.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's rights and polygamy in Africa. Also includes clippings about Quebec women's rights and bilingualism.
Correspondence, reports, magazine articles, and newspaper clippings regarding women's rights, women working in education, religion, divorce, women in politics, and women Senators.
Newspaper clippings regarding women's employment and women's capabilities.
Correspondence, reports, transcripts, and newspaper clippings regarding women in university, women's roles, and women's rights.