Women in the 1920s and 1930s

1. Women in the 1920s and 1930s How the role of women changed

2. Women in the 1920s – a review • Women were more active in the workplace, on the social scene , in sports and even at home • Alcohol, poverty and child welfare became important political issues for women • Women’s groups believed that widespread use of alcohol led to financial problems, to crime and to physical and mental abuse • The Women’s Christian Temperance Union formed to work towards the banning of alcohol

3. The Persons Case • In 1916, Emily Murphy became the first woman to be appointed to the courts of Canada as a judge • She was challenged by a male lawyer who claimed she was not a legal person and could therefor not hear the case

4. The Persons Case • British law considered only men to be persons, women were not even recognised • This made it legally ambiguous as to whether or not she could be a judge, run for office or become a senator • In 1929, Emily Murphy, Nelly McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir “The Alberta Five”took the case to the courts

5. The Persons Case • The Supreme Court of Canada ruled based on the British North America Act that women were not persons • They took their case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain where it was determined on October 18, 1929 that women were persons

6. Women in the 1920s and 1930s • During this time, women were still discriminated against • It was considered improper for married women to work and many employers fired women who had gotten married • Women were not encouraged to get degrees or pursue higher education • Society expected women to be teachers, clerks or nurses (natural female occupations) • Professions such as medicine, law and journalism were considered men’s jobs and incredibly difficult for women to break into

7. New Field’s for Women - Sports • Sine women began playing team sports such as basketball, hockey and baseball • They often competed on company sponsored teams and were broadcast on the radio • Toronto’s Sunnyside Stadium would fill with over 6000 spectators when women’s baseball teams played

8. New Fields for Women - Sports • Canadian female athletes debuted at the Summer Olympics in 1928 • Canada’s Track and Field team won medals in nearly every event • Ethel Catherwood, “The Saskatchewan Lily,” won gold in the high jump • Bobbie Rosenfeld won silver in the 100m and led the Canadian women to gold in the 400m relay

9. New Fields for Women - Clothing • Women’s clothing changed drastically during the 1920s • Women no longer wanted to corsets and long skirts like their mothers • They wanted clothing they could easily move in • Female clothing was now loose and comfortable

10. New Fields for Women - Clothing • Skirts barely covered the knee • Bobs and shingled haircuts replaced long hair and hairpins • By the end of the 1920s it was not uncommon to see young ladies drink or even smoke in public