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19 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 1, 2009 Helping improve lives Continued from page 18 It didn't seem fair and became WHAM's first issue, said LeFrancois. In 1985 the Indian Act was amended and that law was changed. Then there was the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "WHAM worked hard on that one," said LeFrancois of the bid to have the equality clause included in the Charter. In 1980, WHAM members travelled to Ottawa to seek the same. In 1985 it was finally made official, said LeFrancois. "We went to Ottawa to convince one prime minister and 10 male premiers that women's rights should be guaranteed," said LeFrancois. "We were not prepared to be patted on the head and told you'll be looked after. We had learned enough over the years, we needed it in writing." She was among 1,300 women who celebrated Valentine's Day in Ottawa fighting for the equality clause. The women packed Room 200 in the West Block of the Parliament Buildings and made history by convincing Pierre Elliot Trudeau's Liberal government to include an extra clause guaranteeing women's equality in the new Charter. "That was one of the biggest things in Canadian history," said LeFrancois. WHAM is the only group that participated that continues to exist. There are still many Canadians alive today who were not considered persons when they were born -- it changed in 1929, prior to which women were considered "persons in matters of pains and penalties," but not "persons in matters of rights and privileges." That meant that women could inherit their husband's debt, but not the farm. In 1983, LeFrancois fought for a change in the Criminal Code to replace rape with levels of sexual assault -- and women were able to charge their spouse with sexual assault. Women still need to achieve pay equity and LeFrancois said issues of equality, regardless of age, gender, religion and race, remain paramount. Poverty and the lack of a national child care system are current issues that LeFrancois has in her sights. While there's lots to celebrate and many gains have been made -- no one would suggest to a girl today that she shouldn't pursue education and instead marry, said LeFrancois -- but much more needs to be done. LeFrancois has already turned her attention abroad, having help found Canadians in Support of Afghan Women (CSAW) and followed up with fundraising for the building of a school in Afghanistan. LeFrancois is always a voice speaking up about violence against women, women's constitutional rights, the use of Sharia court in Ontario family law, international aid for women, poverty, funding for women's programs, peace, the environment, electoral reform, gay rights, human rights, Native women's rights and universal day care. "WHAM members are passionate about Bev. Her gifts are rare -- the ability to define need, see the bigger picture, conceive a plan of action and spearhead a cause. She has the ability to draw on various skill sets from the community and engage people to commit to a project while remaining personally committed to achieving its goals. Her rarest gift is the profound humility she has displayed through a lifetime of remarkable achievements and determined pursuit of promoting the equality of women. Despite the debilitating challenge of MS, her passion and energy remains undiminished. Her promotion of self confidence and achievement in others has created a legacy of Canadian leadership and activism," stated her nomination. Having grown up in a supportive family and raising her own children in the same kind of environment, LeFrancois said she keeps going from a sense of justice, empathy for others and that if those in need are unable to help themselves, it is the responsibility of those who can offer help, to do just that -- and ultimately create a better world for all. C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · C C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N T A L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S Don't Pay TO WALL DOLLAR SALE WALLtill 2010 UP TO WALL TO WALL CARPET LUXURIOUS 50 oz. NYLON TWIST 50% OFF $1/SQ. FT. CARPET SPECIALS ALL IN-STOCK AREA RUGS... ALL IN-STOCK AREA RUGS... $1/SQ. UP TO HARD WEARING BERBER INSTALLED WITH LESS! 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