Author
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Topic: This Award Wasn't Designed for Him
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kimi
rabble publisher
Babbler # 4299
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posted 07 November 2008 02:34 PM
We just got this news release in. Based on the below, giving this award to Barry really makes no sense, except as a slap in the face to women's groups. I figure babblers could share some insight.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2008 "This Award Wasn't Designed for Him": Women's Groups Concerned that Status of Women Canada awarded Historic Feminist Honour to Male Fashion Entrepreneur Women's organizations across Canada are expressing concern upon learning that this year's Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case designated for a youth has gone to Ben Barry, CEO of the Ben Barry Agency Inc., a Toronto model agency. Mr. Barry is the first man to receive the honour since the Awards were established in 1979 (the Youth Award was introduced in 2000). The Awards mark the historic fight of the "Famous Five" to have Canadian women legally declared persons. Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Henrietta Muir Edwards won a decisive victory for women's rights in 1929 when the highest court in the land stated: "to those who would ask why the word 'person' should include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not?" The Person's Case is celebrated by Canadian feminists as paving the way for important equality rights, such as the rights to vote and hold public office. For this reason, many question the decision of the Status of Women Canada Selection Committee to include Mr. Barry with the women activists who received the Award this year. One objection is that Mr. Barry's work does not advance women's equality in the sense that the Person's Award is intended to honour. According to the call for nominations, the Awards are supposed to "recognize those that work tirelessly to promote the equality of girls and women in Canada." "The word 'equality' did not factor into his conversation," said Bonnie Diamond, past Award recipient, of an interview that Mr. Barry gave to the CBC following the announcement. "I have yet to hear a woman receive this award and not talk about the history of the Person's Case and the larger struggle for women's rights." Another concern voiced is that the Selection Committee has ignored young women activists in favour of Mr. Barry. "What about the founders of [women's history in high-school education advocacy group] Miss G.?" asked Susan Russell of the Canadian Federation of University Women. Pamela Harrison of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia agreed. "I find it extremely difficult to believe that there are not hundreds, perhaps even thousands of young women who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in Canada." Mr. Barry's selection may be linked to the changes in Status of Women Canada made by the anti-feminist Conservative government under Stephen Harper. In 2006, Harper's government outraged women across Canada by removing the word "equality" from the agency's mandate and replacing it with "participation in society." To many women, Mr. Barry's selection is yet another example of how Status of Women Canada has been undermined by the Harper cuts: a decision which gives the lie to Harper's claim to have bridged the gender gap in the last election. "This is less about commemorating the Person's Case and more about advancing the agenda of the Harper government to try to make women's inequality invisible and deny feminism a future," said Aalya Ahmad of the Ad Hoc Coalition for Women's Equality and Human Rights, an umbrella organization of women's groups that was formed in opposition to the cuts. "We don't dispute the principle that a man can work for women's equality. But this award was not designed for the purpose to which Harper's New Status of Women Canada is trying to bend it. Mr. Barry has justly received much recognition for his work elsewhere. This particular recognition really doesn't suit him." Ad Hoc Coalition for Women's Equality and Human Rights [ 07 November 2008: Message edited by: kimi ] [ 07 November 2008: Message edited by: kimi ]
From: on the move | Registered: Jul 2003
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 07 November 2008 10:56 PM
The guy runs a fucking MODELING AGENCY? An industry that causes eating disorders in a huge number of the women who work for it, and make the rest of women in society feel like shit about themselves?A modeling agency??? Jesus H. Q. Bloody Christ. [ 07 November 2008: Message edited by: Michelle ]
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938
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posted 08 November 2008 03:54 AM
kimi, thanks for posting this.I have a bunch of question, some of which won't ever be made public, and I'm looking at the front end, ie. the selection process, since Barry never would have received the award if he first hadn't been considered, then chosen. Who is on the selection committee? Who else was on the long- and short-lists for consideration? What are the criteria for award recipients? Has there been turnover recently on the board or the committee? Is there a cash award associated with winning? A quick search of the Status of Women Canada's website reveals the criteria, so here's one of my questions answered: quote:
Criteria for the AwardsCandidates for the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case must be Canadian citizens. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must be over 30 years of age. Youth awards nominees are ages 15-30 years. The Awards honour outstanding contributions that have promoted the equality of girls and women in Canada, demonstrated by leadership and excellence in any field, in either a paid or unpaid capacity. Candidates whose effectiveness and courage have advanced the cause of equality for girls and women in significant and substantial ways that have enriched their communities will be considered. For example, they may have identified needs for change and found innovative solutions in sectors relating to women; lobbied for groups and services; initiated public education and information activities; or through their lives, made outstanding creative achievements or otherwise advanced equality for girls and women. Five awards are given annually to candidates chosen from across Canada, in addition to one Youth award.
It does not take "courage" to open a modelling agency. And in no universe that I live do modelling agencies directly, or indirectly, promote the equality of girls and women or demonstrate leadership and excellence. In terms of this being the Youth Award, yes, The Miss G. Project, and the creators of Shameless Magazine are just two worthy potential recipients, and that's just from my Toronto-centric brain. The five women who won awards this year: quote:
Shelagh Day, of Vancouver, British Columbia, is an international authority on women's human rights and the founding President of LEAF (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund).Frances Ennis, of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a social activist, educator, author and rug-hooking artist who has devoted her life to advancing equality for women. Beverley Jacobs, of Ohsweken, Ontario, is an inspired leader and devoted advocate for equal opportunity and human rights for Aboriginal women and girls. Maureen A. McTeer, of Ottawa, Ontario, is a lawyer, author and expert on issues of women's rights and health and those of law, science and public policy. Mair Verthuy, of Montréal, Quebec, is a researcher, activist and distinguished academic who co-founded Concordia University's Simone de Beauvoir Institute, home of Canada's first women's studies program.
Hey, Maureen McTeer! I know she's a Con. Wait. Could the Cons be using these awards to promote a larger political agenda? How could that be?? [Extreme sarcasm alert] So, all potential recipients have to be nominated. Here's the SoWC's website: Person's Case Awards
From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005
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