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The Famous 5

Famous Five Sculpture


Five Alberta women, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby - later known as the Famous 5 - opened the doors of the Senate of Canada to women. The Famous 5 achieved not only the right for women to serve in the Senate, but they and their many contributions paved the way for women to participate in other aspects of public life. Their efforts represent a model of courage, integrity, solidarity and perseverance for all Canadians in the quest for women's equality in Canadian Society - today and yesterday.

"'Having done all -- stand.' We lose so much, both in private and public life, by receding from the ground we have won, either from indolence or some other cause." - Emily Murphy

For more information about the Famous 5 visit:
Library and Archives and
Famous 5 Foundation




Louise McKinney (1868-1931), politician and temperance worker. She was President of the Dominion Women's Christian Union and elected to the Alberta legislature in 1917 as representative of the non-partisan league.

"The purpose of a woman's life is just the same as the purpose of man's life-that she may make the best possible contribution to the generation in which she is living." -Louise McKinney