Mary Irene Parlby
Parlby, Mary Irene
Mary Irene Parlby, née Marryat, farm women's leader, politician (b at London, Eng 9 Jan 1868; d at Red Deer, Alta 12 July 1965). Parlby came to Canada in 1896. Shortly after her arrival, she met and married her husband Walter. In 1916 Parlby was elected president of the newly formed United Farm Women of Alberta and became actively involved in the agrarian movement.
Parlby entered public life on 18 July 1921 when she was elected to the Alberta legislature as member for Lacombe in the UNITED FARMERS OF ALBERTA government. She was appointed minister without portfolio with special responsibility for advising the government on issues of particular concern to women and children, a position she held until her retirement in 1934. She was popularly known as the "Women's Minister," but without a specific mandate or budget of her own and as the only woman among seven men, she was marginalized within cabinet.
Parlby was only the second woman in the British Empire to hold ministerial office. She was particularly active on issues related to public health care, improved wages for working women and married women's property rights. In 1925, she introduced a Community of Property Bill that anticipated the legal recognition of women's domestic work. The idea came under severe criticism and Parlby's bill failed to pass.
Parlby was a reluctant politician, preferring the tranquillity of her garden in Alix, Alta to the rough and tumble of the legislature, but she was popular among her rural constituents and was re-elected in 1926 and again in 1930. In 1930, she also served as a member of the Canadian delegation to the LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Today, Parlby is perhaps best known as one of FAMOUS 5 Alberta women associated with the PERSONS CASE.
Irene Parlby, women's rights activist
Parlby was the first woman to become a Cabinet minister in Alberta. She supported Acts concerning women's rights (courtesy Glenbow Archives).
Famous 5
A model of the "Women Are Persons!" statue, honouring the contributions of the Famous 5 (Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Emily Murphy). The final sculpture was unveiled on Parliament Hill in 2000 (sculpted by Barbara Paterson, photo by Marc Mennie, courtesy Famous 5 Foundation).
Author CATHERINE CAVANAUGH
Links to Other Sites
The Famous 5
This website focuses on the Famous 5 and their struggle to advance the legal rights of Canadian women. From the Alberta Online Encyclopedia.
The “Persons” Case
A brief overview of the historic “Persons Case” from the Parliament of Canada website.
Are Women Persons? The “Persons” Case
An online feature about the legal implications of the "Persons" Case. From Library and Archives Canada.
Changing Women, Changing History: Canadian Women
This Library and Archives Canada site features biographies of women activists who have made substantial contributions to the lives of all Canadian women. Also offers teaching guides and reference sources.
The Famous 5 Foundation
The Famous 5 Foundation honours the Famous 5 and other Canadian women. See their biographies of the "Famous 5" as well as the latest news about programs and events.
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