Women Who Woke Up the Law - by Karin Wells (Paperback)

About the Book

The stories of the women behind several landmark cases in Canadian law--from divorce to self-defense to maternity benefits to abortion.

Book Synopsis

"Who was the woman trying to convince a jury in a tiny courthouse in Nova Scotia that it was self-defense when she killed her partner; and who was the young woman walking into the palais de justice in small-town Quebec arguing that it was her choice, not his, to have an abortion? What was it that pushed these women on, even when the lawyers said it was hopeless?"

From the award-winning author of The Abortion Caravan and More Than a Footnote, Karin Wells once again pulls us into the lives--and this time, the legal trials--of a group of women integral to the advancement of women's rights in Canada. Eliza Campbell, Chantale Daigle, Jeannette Corbiere Lavell--these Women Who Woke Up the Law often had no idea what they were facing in the courts, or the price they would have to pay. Some never saw justice themselves, but they left a legal legacy. Their bold determination is something we need now more than ever to guard the hard-won gains in women's rights.

Review Quotes

"The cruelty faced by Jane Hurshman and the desperate measures it drove her to were once famous in this country; evidence at her 1983 trial shocked Canadians and helped change attitudes about self-defence and spousal abuse. In this excerpt from the new book Women Who Woke up the Law: Inside the Cases That Changed Women's Rights in Canada we are reminded of Hurshman's fight for her rights -- and, before that, her fight to survive."

-- "Toronto Star"

"The book is timely considering today's global political climate.... A message Wells has for readers is to 'not take your eye off the ball.'"

-- "Terrace Standard"

"Each gem is about an ordinary woman who achieved something extraordinary."

-- "Carol Off, author of At A Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage"

"Wells is skilled at pulling threads and making connections, weaving these wide-ranging tales into a fascinating tapestry."

-- "Kerry Clare, Pickle Me This"

"The courage and determination of many people are documented in this incredible history. Wells has amplified the voices of those brave individuals whose advocacy reshaped the narrative for women's rights in Canada. This is a significant case history that belongs in every library."

-- "The Miramichi Reader"

"Wells explores the impact a variety of women have had on defending rights and sometimes creating rights...Her latest book should make for inspiring reading."

-- "Vancouver Sun"

"Wells is as fine a writer as she is a documentarian.... Her writing style is as distinctive to her readers as her voice is to her listeners. The 10 chapters in her book are based on prodigious research supported by her journalistic instinct as to what makes a good story, as well as her understanding of the law."-- "The Peterborough Examiner"

"An unflinching reminder of women's long and fierce fight for justice under the law."

-- "Aritha van Herk, writer and feminist scholar of Canadian Literature"

"Chilling stories of adultery, abuse, and abortion that came at great cost to the women whose personal cases became public causes. We owe them our gratitude."

-- "Senator Pamela Wallin"

"I didn't read this book as a work of history but as a call to arms."

-- "Emily Urquhart, author of Ordinary Wonder Tales"

"Terrific.... Grips the reader with the power of a novel."

-- "Elizabeth Renzetti, author of What She Said: Conversations About Equality"

"We have faced these moments before and have come out victorious. Let this book inspire you."

-- "Julie S. Lalonde, women's rights advocate and author of Resilience Is Futile"