On Saturday May 13th, The Chateauguay Valley Historical Society hosted its 36th annual « Taste of History. » The tradition of gathering for a historical lecture along with a light lunch has been upheld since 1982. This year, the audience was treated to a thought-provoking talk from retired judge, and Havelock resident, John Gomery entitled: The Evolution of Gender Equality in Quebec 1956-2016 and to food catered by Planète Terroir.
Mr. Gomery’s informative presentation explored the many ways in which the lives of Quebec women have radically changed over the last 60 years. He explained that we currently live in a province that is at the forefront of gender equality and women’s rights, and yet how not long ago, that wasn’t the case.
The talk highlighted that a mere sixty years ago, married women in Quebec held the same legal rights as minors and the insane. A few other facts also worth noting: 60 years ago women did not have the right to spend their own inheritance or their own earnings without their husband’s permission. Women couldn’t sign a lease; nor could they approve health care for their children without their husband’s consent.
When the lecture opened up for questions, a nurse who had worked in Ormstown in the 1950’s spoke to the very real dilemma that this reality posed for children, mothers and health care workers. She commented: “If a child needed urgent surgery, the father needed to be tracked down, which wasn’t easy if he was off in a field or in the bar.” Imagine, at that time, a woman herself did not have jurisdiction over her own health care decisions.
Flash forward less than a lifetime and we live in a very different reality. Quebec property is split 50-50 in a marriage and only in our province do women retain their maiden names. Mr. Gomery referenced many important instances of women breaking the glass ceiling in the legal world, including the impressive accomplishments of his wife, former Court of Appeal Judge, Pierrette Rayle. He concluded by acknowledging that societal attitudes can sometimes be slower to change than the law, but encouraged the audience with how much has evolved in gender equality over a short period of time.
The Chateauguay Valley Historical Society will be publishing its 50th annual History Journal this June, which will be released at Ormstown Fair. The issue will include a reprint of the 1968 first edition.
For more information on the Historical Society and its upcoming events visit: http://www.cvhs.ca/chateauguayvalleyhistoricalsociety/Welcome___Bienvenue.html
