Our online Auction has been pushed forward to June 2nd to 12th. A change in dates was necessary to accommodate a fantastic auction item that will be revealed June 2nd. Visit www.32auctions.com/SBCHSpring2022 or email Lisa Lloyd at dazluddirector@gmail.com for further information. We have some fantastic experiences such as Gourmet dinner for 4, tour and lunch, art work, local services, unique BBQ pit, history book, food and wine baskets. There will be 40 plus items that will appeal to the most discriminating tastes, at various price points.
Square Butte Ladies Group
The season for markets is upon us. The Millarville Market opens June 18th with the running of the Marathon. The Ladies Group will have a table at the Millarville markets on July 9th, Aug. 6th and Sept. 10th. Also we will have the Raffle Quilt tickets for sale at the Millarville Fair on Aug. 20th and 21st. For those who would love to join this small group of ladies who are dedicated to ensuring the club remains viable, yes from 1941. Unfortunately we have no original members left to carry on so the next generation must step up. For further information call: Jill Fry 403-931-3420.
History in the Making “Equal Under the Law”
I recall hearing of a law suit that culminated in a Supreme Court Judgment: Murdoch v. Murdoch (1975) 1 SCR 423. This was all about a ranch wife from south of Turner Valley who was trying to claim a 1⁄2 interest in their final Brockway Ranch property, following separation and divorce. They had also run a guest ranch at Bragg Creek. At the time there was little consideration for Irene Murdoch who had worked alongside her husband ( James) and had also contributed money since their marriage in 1943. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Brockway Ranch was the husband’s ranch. After several appeals Irene was awarded $65,000, based on a $200,000 asset value. The court battles started in 1968 and what it did was fire up the women’s rights groups across Canada.
Through the 1970’s women became more aware of their lack of rights. Case after case seemed to testify to the inadequate legal guarantees against gender discrimination. In the same year the Murdoch case was heard the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Indian Act was valid though it denied native status to Indian women who married non-natives. (An Indian male did not lose his status by marrying a non-Indian.)
In 1980 women saw their biggest chance to change their legal standing. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau unveiled his plan for a new charter of rights to protect Canadians from unfair government action. The new charter would be entrenched in Canada’s constitution. Influential women took on the government body who were to draft the document. It was clear a charter would profoundly affect women. Doris Anderson organized and hired a Constitutional Lawyer, Mary Eberts, as many women realized the wording had to be strong. The federal government cancelled a conference in Ottawa on the issue of women’s rights in the new constitution with the assurance that “they would look after things”.
Women’s response was immediate. They organized their own impromptu conference, where 1000 women attended demanding equality be written into the charter and forcing the government to pay attention. As a result a “equality clause” was added. Section 28 read, “Notwithstanding anything in this charter, the rights and freedoms referred to in it are guarantees equally to male and female persons.” Canadian women were victorious. Equal rights were enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedom, April 17, 1982.
I thought it was important to realize that the actions of one woman contributed to the laws being changed throughout Canada. Her battle was long and hard and within the last 50 years. It is an interesting piece of local history which culminated in a movement to make change.
Website: www.squarebuttehall.com
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Rental Inquiries: contact@squarebuttehall.com
Membership: sq.butte.comm.assoc@gmail.com
