In 1968 Irene Murdoch was an Alberta farmer who divorced her abusive husband
Wanted to claim a share of the ranch based on her contributions to it
Supreme Court ruled against her saying it was regular work of a farmers wife
In 1973 the Court ordered that Mr Murdoch pay Irene Murdoch a lump sum for maintenance of $65,000
Changed family law
Case gained public attention, reforms had already been made, decision of the Supreme Court of Canada inspired many women’s groups across the country to take up the legal and political fight.
Rosemary Brown born in Jamaica studied at McGill
1972 won a NDP seat in BC
First black woman to be elected to a legislature in Canada
Summary
A ranch woman from Alberta, Irene Murdoch was involved in a claim to share in the family ranch that she and her husband had built up. She had divorced her abusive husband and now wanted her share of the property based on her contribution to the property. But the Supreme Court of Canada refused her saying she gad done the work of 'any ranch wife'. Five years later she received a small lump sum but the case triggered a new and intensive round of lobbying across Canada for family law reform.
Rosemary Brown was a woman born in Jamaica, and studied and graduated from McGill, she served as a Member of Legislative Assembly in British Columbia from 1972-1986, making her the first black Canadian to be elected into Canadian provincial legislature.