Rethinking Persons Day: Honouring Those Left Behind

Struggling with How to Feel About Persons Day

Anyone else been struggling with how to feel about Persons Day?

Because these people didn’t become “persons” on October 18, 1929:

• Chinese and Indo-Canadians: not until April 2, 1947

• Japanese Canadians: March 24, 1949

• Inuit: January 1, 1950 (and really, not until 1962 when ballot boxes became available)

• First Nations: July 1, 1960

And even though African Canadians were persons by 1929, racist barriers prevented many from enjoying the benefits of personhood.

So for me (and being Japanese), I can’t help but feel that Persons Day isn’t a day of belonging so much as another reminder that some of us got left behind — and would be left behind many more times after that.

The Whitewashing of the Famous Five

Maybe it’s my social feed, but I’m noticing less critique of First Wave Feminism and more whitewashing of the Famous Five.

We often hear that they were people of their time — that their racist and elitist views were shaped by disinformation from the white men around them, that they later changed their minds, and that they eventually welcomed their racialized sisters into personhood.

But I’m having a hard time buying that.

People knew back in 1929 that eugenics was wrong, that racism was wrong. And the Famous Five were privileged, educated women. They had the capacity to know better.

Remembering Those Who Fought After Them

I acknowledge the argument that, despite their faults, the Famous Five laid the groundwork for the enfranchisement of others.

But even on this point, it bothers me that their names are known and celebrated, while the women who fought for their own excluded communities remain largely forgotten.

I don’t say this to criticize the many people celebrating Persons Day this Women’s History Month. In fact, I feel conflicted — because part of me feels I should be celebrating a major win for at least some of our ancestors.

And I know (and respect) that many racialized women wholeheartedly celebrate Persons Day.

Celebrating Persons Day Differently

But I’m going to celebrate Persons Day differently going forward — and especially as we approach its centenary.

I’ll be seeking out and honouring the women who fought for those who were left behind on October 18, 1929. Their names are harder to find than the Famous Five’s, but here’s a very modest start:

• Hide(ko) Hyodo Shimizu

• Velma Chen

• Ann Chinn

• Esther Fung

• Elsie Knott

• Mary Two-Axe Earley

• Nellie Carlson

• Jenny Margetts

• Jeannette Corbiere Lavell

• Sandra Lovelace Nicholas

• Kathleen Steinhauer

The Famous Five will always have their place in Persons Day — but for me, that place will be fair and transparent. And they will share that day with the women who fought for (and continue to fight for) those left behind.

Building a Community of Reflection and Celebration

If any of this resonates with you, please reach out.

I’d love to connect — and, if you’re up for it, even meet — with others who want to learn about and celebrate Persons Day differently, together.