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Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

This blog is my place to sit and toss pebbles into the stream. The stream of Life relentlessly passing before us. We can affect it little. For the most part I just watch it passing and follow the flow. Occasionally, I need to comment on its passing, tossing a pebble at it to enjoy the ripple affect upon Life's surface.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Women's History Month

In Canada, October is Women's History Month. After seeing Mary's blog entry I thought it would be nice to write a blog entry of three Canadian Women I admire who are currently making history.
























Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin

Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin is the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. She is the first woman to hold this position on a court that is well represented by women. It is her court that has ruled on many issues rising out of Canada Constitution and The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, affirming Canada as a more socially and politically society than our southern neighbour.


Canada should be proud that she has held this position on a court with several women. This contrasts with the American male dominated Supreme Court. It may be a long time before a women is the Chief Justice of the American Supreme Court.














Madame Justice Louise Arbour

Louise Arbour is one of the World's foremost international jurists. She was the lead jurist for the UN's Inmternational Tribunals for the genocide in Rwanda and the war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. She has been a very tough and ouspoken in pursuit of those wanted for war crimes. For a short while she sat on the Supreme Court of Canada, from which she resigned to answer a call to the United Nations as the U.N. High Commisioner for Human Rights. In this position she has been very outspoken on the criminal use of torture, for which John Bolton, the American Ambassador to the United States tried to give her a dressing down. Her tough style continues.

In Canada we first noticed her when as a jurist in Ontario she affirmed the right to vote by prisoners and later writing the damning report on the conditions in the Women's prison which resulted in a more progressive approach to incarcerating women in Canada..





















The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean

Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean is Canada's Governor General and Commander -in-Chief, the ceremonial head of our government, the Queen's representative. She and her family were immigrants to Canada from Haiti. She is the first Afro-Caribbean woman to hold this post. She is a very accomplished woman who with style and grace carries out her duties and represents Canada well around the World.

These three women have come from diverse backgrounds that reflect Canada: Justice McLachlin is from rural cattle country Alberta, Louise Arbour is a francophone from Quebec who made her mark in all of Canada and the World and Governor General Jean was an immigrant.


Canada has had some remarkable women in its history. To read a little about them visit this site.

http://www.famouscanadianwomen.com/

I particularly enjoyed the quotations from famous Canadian women. They certainly had some interesting things to say and ideas that came to change Canada for the best.

7 Comments:

At 10:04 a.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a woman from the less social and political society to the south let me say "What a lovely tribute to the women of Canada". These women are indeed worth writing about and mentioning to the world. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, Canadians always come across as being stuck up. :) Actually, I couldn't think of anyone else I would rather have on our northern border.

Don't get me started on the southern border!!!

 
At 12:55 p.m., Blogger Mary said...

Philip,

What a great tribute to this three very accomplished Canadian women. I'm glad my post inspired you.

I particularly like Michaelle Jean. I believe she has a grace and elegance about her that others wouldn't have brought to her position. Thanks for recognizing these deserving women.

Have a great weekend. The weather is cool (but nice) windy and sunny. Not a bad fall day overall.

Mary

 
At 8:42 p.m., Blogger Alyssa said...

Very nice post, indeed. Yes, Canada is much more progressive then the US and the fact that these three woman hold such high offices shows us that. The "glass ceiling" is still very much in effect here. Women's rights is given lots of lip service, but women are just not taken very seriously.

I'm curious what the history behind the robes Madam Justice McLachlin is wearing is. They surely don't look as somber as the black robes of our Supreme Court - they are almost festive!

Again, love DeeDee's voice!

 
At 9:13 p.m., Blogger Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

For more information on the Supreme Court of Canada read this entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Canada

 
At 3:01 a.m., Blogger Gattina said...

I am always pleased when a woman has a high level post ! Because, sad to say, women have to work double and prove double to reach a position than men have. In Belgium we have quite a lot of women in the government and justice, more than in other European countries.
I am busy with the Exposition of my painting group, yesterday was vernissage and today I will be there the whole day again, but it is a lot of fun !

 
At 2:28 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have so enjoyed your blogs. I have been reading them for more than a year yet have never commented. I find you to be educated, humorous, and a joy to read. Thank you for making some of my most meloncholy days brighter.

 
At 9:28 a.m., Blogger lv2scpbk said...

Nice post and tribute.

 

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