A month ago I noted in this space that a good friend had recently spent several weeks with family in the New Bedford area of Massachusetts.
During that period she convinced family to take her to numerous bookstores on the hunt for a recent book about Vancouver BC born military hero Douglas Munro. He lost his life in WWll at the Solomon Islands and his mother was later presented with the posthumous Medal of Honor. This was awarded on his behalf for incredible bravery whilst saving the lives of 500 marines and sailors at Guadalcanal. References to his deeds are often mentioned in this space.
My friend's efforts not only found the book, but got one that was actually signed by the author. A book that is now in the process of getting read, and will become one of my military favorites on the shelf.
As with all trips, one returns with many pictures. This one from my friend, was of particular interest....
During that period she convinced family to take her to numerous bookstores on the hunt for a recent book about Vancouver BC born military hero Douglas Munro. He lost his life in WWll at the Solomon Islands and his mother was later presented with the posthumous Medal of Honor. This was awarded on his behalf for incredible bravery whilst saving the lives of 500 marines and sailors at Guadalcanal. References to his deeds are often mentioned in this space.
My friend's efforts not only found the book, but got one that was actually signed by the author. A book that is now in the process of getting read, and will become one of my military favorites on the shelf.
As with all trips, one returns with many pictures. This one from my friend, was of particular interest....
Ironically it came to me during the month of October.
The very month in Canada, that had been celebrated since 1992 as Women's History Month. One resulting for the primary efforts of three BC women, my mother being one of these. For over a year they gathered the support from many women and organizations representing thousands more from across Canada. Efforts to support the three originals calling for the federal government's creation of a month in recognition of the important accomplishments of women going back to Canada's founding and long before.
The US also celebrates the same month of celebration, but in March, and has done so since 1988.
Back in 2006 a group of New Bedford citizens approached the city council with the fact that since the days of George Washington, women have come forth to serve. It was, in their opinion, high time that those women and all serving since, were properly recognized for their service to the nation.
Those efforts soon blossomed into the creation of the Women's Military Memorial Committee. It's 6 1/2 year journey saw a fund opened up, the seeking of public support and of course donations, the calling for and reviewing of 5 design prototypes, and the seeking of an appropriate space for a memorial to be built.
Here is the design that was eventually selected...
The very month in Canada, that had been celebrated since 1992 as Women's History Month. One resulting for the primary efforts of three BC women, my mother being one of these. For over a year they gathered the support from many women and organizations representing thousands more from across Canada. Efforts to support the three originals calling for the federal government's creation of a month in recognition of the important accomplishments of women going back to Canada's founding and long before.
The US also celebrates the same month of celebration, but in March, and has done so since 1988.
Back in 2006 a group of New Bedford citizens approached the city council with the fact that since the days of George Washington, women have come forth to serve. It was, in their opinion, high time that those women and all serving since, were properly recognized for their service to the nation.
Those efforts soon blossomed into the creation of the Women's Military Memorial Committee. It's 6 1/2 year journey saw a fund opened up, the seeking of public support and of course donations, the calling for and reviewing of 5 design prototypes, and the seeking of an appropriate space for a memorial to be built.
Here is the design that was eventually selected...
As depicted here, the 7 ft. monument consists of a highly polished granite piece supported by a rose coloured base, said to represent the feminine nature of the memorial. Fastened to the upper portion is an oval bronze plaque depicting five women in uniform. One representing each of the service branches, being the army, marines, air force, coast guard and navy. Women having served and continue to serve today in each branch. On the monument's back the words "She is your mother, sister, wife, daughter, friend" are inscribed.
The inspiration for the design came from this 1997 US stamp honouring women in the US military. US Post printed 37 million of these stamps and the first to be released was on October 18 of that year.
The date is symbolic to Canadians as well!
It was on that very day back in 1929 that Lord Sankey, the senior Jurist of the British Commonwealth issued his decision regarding the famous Canadian Persons Case. This was the decades long battle of women seeking to be duly recognized as eligible to be appointed to our Senate. But the men of the day relied on old British case law declaring that women were not "persons," and thus were ineligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.
The Sankey decision, ruled that indeed women were in fact PERSONS.
The case has been often noted in past blogs. In those it has been noted that Women's History Month... in October... was chosen to be then celebrated in that very month.
More on Sunday...
Bart
The date is symbolic to Canadians as well!
It was on that very day back in 1929 that Lord Sankey, the senior Jurist of the British Commonwealth issued his decision regarding the famous Canadian Persons Case. This was the decades long battle of women seeking to be duly recognized as eligible to be appointed to our Senate. But the men of the day relied on old British case law declaring that women were not "persons," and thus were ineligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.
The Sankey decision, ruled that indeed women were in fact PERSONS.
The case has been often noted in past blogs. In those it has been noted that Women's History Month... in October... was chosen to be then celebrated in that very month.
More on Sunday...
Bart
RSS Feed