News & Views
Famous 5 To Receive Landmark Donation
For Immediate Release:
Western Canadian developer announces $100,000 commitment to preserve iconic Canadian legacy
Calgary, December, 2009 – In conjunction with the 80th anniversary of the Famous 5 “Persons" Case, Calgary-based real estate developer ProCura has announced it will donate $1,000 for each of the 100 remaining units it sells in the newly completed The Montana condominium residence high-rise.
The donations will go to the Famous 5 Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of famed suffragists, legislators and women’s rights advocates: Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby. These five Alberta women were lifelong champions of the rights of women and children, and are perhaps best known for winning the 1929 “Persons” Case—inspiring Canada’s Parliament, and eventually the entire British Empire, to recognize women as persons under the law.
The Famous 5 Foundation works to preserve this legacy while encouraging young people today to become the leaders of tomorrow. Gillian Lawrence, Chair of the Board for the Famous 5 Foundation welcomes this significant gift as an opportunity for the group to extend its outreach to the next generation of leaders through strong networking and education programs. “We are delighted with this donation. It opens up a number of opportunities for us to continue to communicate and build upon the legacy that was created by our five famous Canadian women.” said Ms. Lawrence.
Sherry Schluessel heads up ProCura’s giving program; she says that this initiative is just one part of a larger vision of philanthropy and community giving. ProCura also maintains the historic Nellie McClung house in Calgary and is looking for investors to help turn the property into a community space for women’s organizations, as well as converting part of the home into a museum dedicated to the Famous 5. Ms. Schluessel particularly invites women leaders and investors to step forward. “It would be wonderful if we could get a modern-day Famous Five to become a moving force in promoting and inspiring female leadership across Canada,” said Ms. Schluessel.
ProCura owner and CEO George Schluessel is excited to have this opportunity to give back to the community. “We believe in honouring this important legacy and doing our part for community and heritage,” said Mr. Schluessel. Both Schluessels are proud to create an association between the Famous 5 and a building they believe has the timeless elegance, enduring quality and craftsmanship to create its own legacy as a distinctive Calgary landmark.
The Montana is a 27-floor luxury residence tower located on 4 St and 11 Ave SW, in the cosmopolitan Uptown 17 district. The building features stylish refinement—including a spacious grand lobby, and a distinctive illuminated tower peak certain to become a landmark on the Calgary skyline. The Montana also possesses revolutionary engineering features such as Visionwall® floor-to-ceiling windows that combine superior soundproofing, energy efficiency and spectacular city views. Elegance, craftsmanship and attention to detail are the hallmarks behind Calgary’s newest condominium residence building.
Homebuyers and investors are invited to view available units—and to take part in some modern history building while helping to preserve the past.
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ProCura was founded in 1979 by George Schluessel; the developer has been the force behind landmark and award-winning projects such as Calgary’s Emerald Stone and Residences of Mount Royal, Kelowna’s award-winning Casa Bella, Edmonton’s Park Square and Century Park. ProCura is committed to consistently provide the highest level of quality in the development, property management and owner representation to all its projects, thereby maximizing returns to investors and stakeholders.
For more information, contact:
| Mike Harris Mantaray 403-233-9253 |
Sherry Shluessel ProCura 403-802-5888 |
Glebe Report Ottawa – November 9th, 2009
Mutchmor hosts 2009 Governor General’s Award Winners
By Matija and Kaia (grade five students at Mutchmor Public School)
On October 1, five Canadian women were awarded with the Governor General’s Persons Case award. The Persons Case award started when five women made a difference by making sure that women were considered people. We know that it sounds a bit strange, but it was true. Earlier in the 1900s and way before, women did not have as many rights as men did. For example, they were not allowed to own land and there were not many jobs to choose from. Men got a big job selection and they owned all the land.
Five women worked hard to change these conditions. After those five women (Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung) made a difference, they were awarded for their actions. Now, every year, five Canadian women are awarded the Persons Case award in recognition for the difference they make. Each year, there is a youth award for the same purpose, but given to younger women that started making a difference at an early age.
This year, the five women given the award were: Mary Scott, Karen Messing, Bev LeFrançois, Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, and Daphne E. Dumont. The youth award was given to Pauline Fogarty. And on October 2, the day after they were recognized, Karen Messing and Pauline Fogarty came to our school, Mutchmor Public School.
In the presentation, the two women talked about why they won the Persons Case award. We are not that old but we were interested to hear what these women had to say about how women used to be treated. Karen Messing talked about how, when she was five, she saw women working in factories making radios and getting less pay than men. When she asked her father about this he answered “They aren’t as smart as you.” Thinking and realizing her father was wrong, she dedicated her life to researching employment problems and cases. The year she asked her father was 1943. Also much younger, Pauline Fogarty explained racism and her life in Thunder Bay. She mentioned that it doesn’t matter if you are black, white, Asian, European or francophone. She discussed how she started a multi-race union in Thunder
Bay.This was an amazing experience for Mutchmor. Therefore, we will try to be like them and make a difference.
Russian Federation Delegates - November 19th, 2009
Submitted by Crystal Gillis – Famous 5 Ottawa Outreach Committee
Today we had a very interesting meeting with the Russian Federation delegates from the Gender Equity Study Tour. The study was part of the Public Administration Reform Program administered by the Canada School of Public Service.
Isabel, Maria Al-Masani, and I gave a short presentation to the group, outlining the historical significance of the Famous 5, their constitutional fight, and the importance of recognizing these women as not only nation-builders, but symbols of Canadian identity. Maria added to the presentation by speaking to the group in Russian as well! We also discussed our group's work to have the monument erected on the hill, and explained the Governor General's Awards and our outreach work with Persons Case Award recipients and luncheon speakers. The presentation was followed by an interesting discussion about women in the workforce, recognizing women's achievements through awards, and women in politics.
The presentation was followed by a walking tour to the Famous 5 Monument on the hill. It was clear that the delegation enjoyed this visit, and it was certainly a wonderful opportunity for our group to showcase our work and the monument. I attach some photos for the website, and for the group to see.
