Maria Wu - 2023 recipient of The Governor General’s Award

The recipients of the Governors general awards are an inspired legacy to the courage, integrity and hard work that the Famous Five of the Persons Case inspired. 

They recognize the individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the goal of equality for women and girls in Canada. 

Maria Wu is an inspiring woman for advocacy in healthcare accessibility. Maria is changing the game of women's health in Calgary, Alberta, with her innovative projects and dedication to advocating for marginalized women. 

Maria Wu is the founder of Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary, a women's health facility that specializes in gynecological health issues. To Maria Wu, the clinic is more than just a medical facility; it is an important source of information and knowledge regarding important issues related to women's health. Maria's main focus is on giving women the confidence to speak up and make choices for their own health and bodies. Maria has a belief that open discussions about vaginal health are critical to achieving equitable healthcare for everyone. 

At Maud Medical Clinic by fostering an environment where women feel safe and educated about their bodies, Maria is helping to dismantle the stigmas that often surround female health issues. Her efforts are not just about providing services to Women in Calgary but also are about creating a culture of advocacy and empowerment. The passionate staff at Maud Medical Calgary provide services such as IUD insertions, EMSCULPT By Maud, EMSELLA by Maud, Laser hair Removal, Pelvic floor therapy, cosmetic tattooing, skin health and more. 

“If we can embolden women to speak openly about vaginal health, we can move closer toward equitable healthcare for all.” 

- Maria Wu

Leadership in Healthcare

Beyond Maria’s role at Maud Medical Clinic, Maria is a partner in several professional healthcare institutions, including Probity Medical Management, Alberta Pediatric Consultant Clinics, and Velocity Injury Medical Clinic. Her entrepreneurial skills and remarkable leadership abilities shine through her successful collaborations, which all aim to improve health outcomes across various demographics. 

As the President of the We Are Maud Foundation, Maria has initiated critical programs such as Period Poverty, Sex Positive Education, and The Compassion Program. These initiatives are particularly focused: “To serve the underserved”. The programs strive to address the barriers that marginalized women and girls face in accessing necessary health resources. 

Maria Wu’s campaign of Period Prosperity at Maud Medical Clinic collects donations of new period and incontinence products which are then stored in the clinic as a safe accessible place for anyone to give or take. Period Poverty affects youth, Indigenous communities, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness. Period Prosperity also aims to raise awareness about menstrual equity and end stigmas associated with periods.

The Maud medical compassion program. The We Are MAUD Medical Foundation also aims to provide financial support to individuals who may not afford pelvic floor physiotherapy. The program aims to expand this service across Canada. This Financial aid may also be available to Laser hair removal, HPV consultations and vaccinations as well as paramedical tattooing.

Mentorship and Community Engagement

Maria's work extends into community engagement and mentorship, as evidenced by her role as Community Liaison for HPV Global Action with the mission to eliminate cervical cancer. Through her mentorship efforts, she empowers women, especially those without formal medical education, giving them the opportunity to contribute to creating safe spaces for women. Maria is establishing the groundwork for future leaders and advocates in the healthcare industry by working to empower and uplift others.

A Personal Commitment to Growth

Maria’s journey is marked not only by her professional achievements but also by her commitment to personal growth. She approaches each challenge with resilience and adaptability, embodying a relentless focus on equality for all. Her dedication has left a mark on the path toward gender parity.

“I speak for mothers, sisters and daughters, as we cannot achieve equality if we are silent.”

-Maria Wu

The Famous Five - The Persons Case

Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, and Irene Parlby—emerged as inspirational figures in the early 20th-century movement for women’s rights in Canada. Their most significant achievement, the Persons Case, altered the roles of gender equality in Canada.

This group of women not only fought against legal and societal norms but also battled against traditional beliefs that relegated women to an inferior status, manifesting in laws that denied them rights such as owning property and holding public office.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Canadian women faced a reality where their legal identities were often subsumed under men, fathers or husbands. Women were disallowed from owning land or participating in politics. The main legal theory claimed that women were not "persons" in the legal sense, depriving them of their rights and authority. The Famous Five were determined to legally challenge the systemic inequity.

In 1927, the Famous Five petitioned the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether women were eligible to be appointed to the Senate. The first ruling ,was against them, maintaining that women were not "persons" under the British North America Act of 1867. 

Undiscouraged, they took their case to the Privy Council in England, which was the highest court for Canada at the time. In a historic decision on October 18, 1929, the Judicial Committee declared that women were indeed "persons" under the law, thus allowing them to sit in the Senate.

The Persons Case was not just a legal victory; it was a pivotal moment in the broader struggle for women’s rights, signifying a major shift in societal attitudes. Although the battle for equality is far from over, the unwavering resolve of the Famous Five has inspired generations to continue advocating for gender equality. 

We celebrate their legacy not only on October 18, known as Persons Day, but every day as we strive to ensure that the rights and dignity of all women are recognized and respected in Canadian society and beyond. The story of the Famous Five serves as a powerful reminder that barriers can be dismantled through tenacity, unity, and steadfast determination.