Renaissance Institute of Music

A landmark Canadian women’s rights court case decided, on this day in 1929, that "yes, women are persons." The decision of the Privy Council in the “Persons Case” was thanks in great measure to the efforts of Albertan social activist Emily Murphy, whose appointment in 1916 as the first female magistrate was challenged on the basis that women were not persons under British and Canadian law.

While the Alberta Supreme Court affirmed her appointment, Murphy became determined to clarify the legal status of women in Canada. She and her supporters petitioned to have her named to the Senate, but Murphy was declined by Prime Minister Robert Borden on the basis that women were not considered “persons” under the British North American Act of 1867.

In 1927, Emily Murphy and four other prominent women's rights activists -- Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, and Irene Parlby, together known as the "Famous Five" -- appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada for clarification. They posed the question: "Does the word 'persons' in Section 24, of The British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?" When the Supreme Court ruled that it did not, the Famous Five took their question to the Privy Council, at that point the highest court of appeal for Canadian law.

The Privy Council decision issued by its head Lord Sankey also made an eloquent argument for the continued progress of women's rights in the British Empire: "the exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours. And to those who would ask why the word 'persons' should include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not?"

Although many expected that Emily Murphy or another of the Famous Five would be appointed to the Senate, the first Canadian woman to become a Senator was Cairine Wilson, who was appointed only a few months after the Persons Case decision. None of the women who made up the Famous Five became Senators during their lifetimes, but in 2009, eighty years after the success of their landmark struggle for Canadian women’s rights, all five women were named honorary Senators -- the first, and so far only, honorary Senators of Canada.

These remarkable Canadian women are included in the books "Canadian Women Now and Then" for ages 9 to 12 (https://www.amightygirl.com/canadian-women-now-and-then) and "100 Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces," for ages 13 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/100-canadian-heroines

There is also a fascinating book about the twelve women who have served as Canadian Ministers, "Govern Like a Girl," for ages 9 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/govern-like-a-girl

To introduce kids to inspiring female leaders from around the world, we recommend "She Persisted Around The World" for ages 5 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/she-persisted-around-the-world) and the illustrated biography "Rad Women Worldwide" for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/rad-women-worldwide)

In honor of Canada Day, we released a blog post highlighting ten amazing Canadian women of past and present: “True North Strong and Free: 15 Amazing Canadian Women” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=12590

And to inspire children and teens with more true stories of women leaders who have changed the world, visit our “Role Models" biography section featuring hundreds of titles -- sortable by recommended reading age using our filter on the left menu -- at http://amgrl.co/2wRJudE

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Wanted to walk with freedom-loving Americans who love the U.S.A. and the Constitution. No Kings.

While we often think of test day as purely a stressful day for students, teachers definitely feel the pressure too. Just take middle school teacher Sarah Ashley Winans’ word for it.

Winans recently went viral after entering the school she works at in the middle of the night, donning her pajamas and a sleeping bonnet. No, this wasn’t a bizarre episode of sleepwalking—Winans woke up from her pre-test day slumber and realized she had forgotten to plug in her computer charging cart that would be vital for students to take the exam. Read the full story below.

“I think hard times are coming, when we will be wanting the voices of writers who can see alternatives to how we live now, and can see through our fear-stricken society and its obsessive technologies, to other ways of being. And even imagine some real grounds for hope. We will need writers who can remember freedom: poets, visionaries - the realists of a larger reality." -- Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula Le Guin, who was praised as bringing "literary depth and a tough-minded feminist sensibility to science fiction and fantasy," was born on this day in 1929. Famous for such works as The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed, and the Earthsea series, Le Guin was known for tackling complex and often challenging social issues in her work and frequently exploring themes of gender, race, and identity. She believed that writing that drew readers into the "inner lands" of the imagination could be a moral force, observing that "if you cannot or will not imagine the results of your actions, there’s no way you can act morally or responsibly. Little kids can’t do it; babies are morally monsters -- completely greedy. Their imagination has to be trained into foresight and empathy.”

In her novel "Voices", Le Guin created a world where books are forbidden and a young woman must decide what her role will be in a rebellion fomenting against the oppressive occupiers of her city; it's highly recommended for teens and adults, ages 12 and up, at https://www.amightygirl.com/voices

For readers who would like to delve into Ursula Le Guin's most famous works, we highly recommend the "Earthsea" series (https://amzn.to/3PzvqLB), "The Dispossessed" (https://amzn.to/4lcgG4J), "The Left Hand of Darkness (https://amzn.to/3TTdkYf), and "The Lathe Of Heaven" (https://amzn.to/4kpWPhn)

Three volumes of her lesser-known work have also been released: "The Found and the Lost: The Collected Novellas of Ursula K. Le Guin" (http://amzn.to/2G7iMjg), "The Unreal and the Real: The Selected Short Stories of Ursula K. Le Guin" (http://amzn.to/2rzm4IQ); and "Ursula K. Le Guin: Hainish Novels and Stories" (https://amzn.to/3GqS3lL)

For books for children and teens about the importance of standing up for truth, decency, and justice, even in dark times, visit our blog post, "Dissent Is Patriotic: 50 Books About Women Who Fought for Change," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14364

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No Kings Protest in Small-town North Carolina A blog written by musician and composer, Mark O'Connor.

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Anti-sexist educator and activist Jackson Katz has spent 40 years challenging a fundamental assumption: that violence against women is a women's issue that some good men help out with. He rejects that frame entirely, arguing instead that these are men's issues first and foremost. His reasoning cuts to the core of the problem: "If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a ra**st. Perpetrators aren't individual monsters; they are people reflecting a system. We need to address that system."

The excuses we make -- the "boys will be boys" mentality -- actually carry "the profoundly anti-male implication that we should expect bad behavior from boys and men," he argues. "The assumption is that they are somehow not capable of acting appropriately, or treating girls and women with respect." For Katz, only through boys and men holding themselves accountable can violence against women truly end -- and that work has become more urgent than ever.

Katz believes we are living through a critical inflection point. "We're witnessing a global backlash against women's progress, since the past 50 years have seen unbelievable challenges to patriarchal norms," he says. "Trumpism and rightwing populism isn't a revolt against the 'elites'; it's a reaction to men being de-centered and a backlash against feminism. Trump has been marketing himself with the men's movement and it's fueled the manosphere from being an abusive men's rights subculture to becoming the mainstream." The re-election of Trump -- found liable for sexual abuse and ordered to pay millions in damages -- has had what Katz calls "a normalizing effect" on abusive behavior, unleashing "a firehose of misogyny."

Yet Katz insists that "lots of men are uncomfortable about their peers' behavior, but are scared of speaking out because of losing social status or facing retribution." His solution, developed through his Mentors in Violence Prevention program across universities, schools, and the military, is to reframe speaking up as aspirational -- making "the guy who speaks up" a strong man, a good friend, a leader. He wants men to ask different questions: not "what was she wearing?" or "why didn't she leave?" but fundamental questions about perpetrators and systems.

"In terms of preventing violence, we have to ask a different set of questions... like why does John beat Mary, why is domestic violence still a big problem in the United States and all over the world?" Once we're thinking this way, "then we can ask about how can we do something differently, how can we change the practices, how can we change the socialization of boys and the definitions of manhood that lead to these current outcomes."

His call to action is both simple and challenging: "It's our moral, ethical and human duty to help women in this struggle together." Against the rising tide of the manosphere and misogyny, Katz argues that "we on the other side need a bigger microphone to get into the conversation -- we each need to stand up and say 'not in my name.'" He wants men to create "a peer culture where the abusive behavior will be unacceptable not because it's illegal, but because it's wrong and unacceptable." Katz asserts that “there’s been an awful lot of silence in male culture about this ongoing tragedy... we need to break that silence, and we need more men to do that.”

To that end, Katz believes that it's critical to be a positive role model for young people and to provide a platform for their voices. “We can’t tell boys that bullying is bad and then equally reward bullies like Trump in power," Katz asserts. “We owe it to the next generation of boys and girls, who haven’t chosen to be born into this patriarchal society,” he says. “Challenge your peer groups, educate each other and make sure your voice is louder than those spreading abusive norms. It takes courage, but it will only cause more tragedy if we don’t show it.”

You can watch Katz's TED talk "Violence against women — it's a men's issue," at http://bit.ly/Xq6fzu

Raising kids to have empathy for others and an understanding of consent is one of the most important things parents can do to help reduce the incidence of sexual assault. To teach children -- girls and boys alike -- about the need to respect others and their personal boundaries, we recommend "Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect" for ages 4 to 7 (https://www.amightygirl.com/body-boundaries) and "Consent (for Kids!)" for ages 6 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/consent-for-kids)

There is also a helpful guide for teens on topics such as consent and coercion, "Real Talk About S*x and Consent: What Every Teen Needs to Know," for ages 13 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/real-talk-about-sex-and-consent

To discuss topics such as sexual harassment, respect, and consent with tweens -- both girls and boys alike -- we recommend the insightful novel "Maybe He Just Likes You" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/maybe-he-just-likes-you

For an exceptional book for older teens and adults about the early warning signs of abusive relationships, myths about abusive personalities, and how to get help, we highly recommend "Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men" at https://www.amightygirl.com/why-does-he-do-that

If you know a teen girl struggling after sexual abuse or trauma, “The S*xual Trauma Workbook for Teen Girls: A Guide to Recovery from S*xual Assault and Abuse” may help at https://www.amightygirl.com/sexual-trauma-workbook-girls

For several fictional stories that address r**e and sexual violence and offer a helpful way to spark conversations with young adult readers around sexual assault, we recommend "Speak" for ages 14 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/speak), "Girl Made of Stars" for ages 14 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/girl-made-of-stars), and "The Way I Used To Be" for ages 15 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-way-i-used-to-be)

She gave us a princess who became a general, and a voice that shattered stigma -- today we remember Carrie Fisher on what would have been her 69th birthday.

Best known for her now iconic role as Star Wars' Leia Organa, the American actress was the daughter of Hollywood stars Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, which brought her an early awareness of the challenges associated with what she described as "[living] an all-too-exciting life." After the release of the original Star Wars in 1977 in which she first portrayed Princess Leia, Fisher shot to international stardom at the age of 19. She went on to reprise the role in several more Star Wars films, including "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," where she played General Leia Organa, the leader of the Resistance.

In the years since the original Star Wars films, Fisher wrote numerous bestselling books, several of which examined her personal struggles with addiction and mental health with candor and wit. She was also well-known for her biting sarcasm, particularly for her often self-deprecating examination of life in the celebrity fishbowl of Hollywood.

But Fisher's greatest legacy may be her fearless advocacy. She often spoke publicly about how her struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder affected her life, and was a powerful advocate for understanding and compassion for people suffering from mental illnesses: “I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that. I survived that, I’m still surviving it, but bring it on,” she said. In 2016, Harvard honored her with its annual outstanding lifetime achievement award in cultural humanism in recognition of her “bravely honest” literary career.

In speaking about her memoir, “The Princess Diarist,” which reproduces journal pages she had written during her time on the set of Star Wars, Fisher said: “I had forgotten that I’d written them, and I’ve never written diaries sort of like that... It was sad because I was so insecure, and it’s very raw.” She hoped, however, that her stories could bring hope and encouragement to other girls and women going through similar struggles.

Fisher also took great pride in bringing the character of Princess Leia to life, especially during a time when Mighty Girl characters on screen were all too rare. “I got to be the only girl in an all-boy fantasy, and it’s a great role for women,” she reflected. “She’s a very proactive character and gets the job done. So if you’re going to get typecast as something, that might as well be it for me.”

Carrie Fisher wrote several bestselling books, including "Postcards From the Edge" (http://amzn.to/2hr7NXt), “The Princess Diarist” (https://amzn.to/31uHZh2), and "Wishful Drinking” (http://amzn.to/2huctxA)

If you or your Mighty Girl are fans of Leia Organa, the original rebel Princess, you can find costumes, toys, books, and clothing based on this iconic character in our "Princess Leia Collection" at https://amgrl.co/2Z6F7vk

There is also a a stunning illustrated book celebrating 75 daring women of Star Wars -- including Leia -- "Women of the Galaxy" for ages 9 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/star-wars-women

For young fans, her beloved character is featured in the 'Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Leia and R2-D2 Adventure Set' for ages 4 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/leia-and-r2-d2-adventure-set

Princess Leia was also among the vanguard of a new type of princess -- a smart, courageous princess who was anything but a damsel in distress. There are now many books for children that have been inspired by her example and we feature nearly 100 of them in our "Independent Princess" book collection at http://amgrl.co/1JuDk1e

For Banned Books Week, we're honoring an author who has stood up for the freedom to read for over fifty years -- Judy Blume! The beloved author of many Mighty Girl favorites such as "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret", "Deenie", and "Tiger Eyes," Blume has been writing children's and young adult fiction for decades.

What many of Judy Blume's young fans rarely realized, however, is that the frank discussion of topics like religion, puberty, and sexuality in her books -- the same honesty that makes them so appealing to young readers -- made her one of the most frequently challenged children's authors. As she once observed, by the 1980s, “censors crawled out of the woodwork, organized and determined. Not only would they decide what their children could read but what all children could read... Suddenly books were seen as dangerous to young minds.”

Even as a relatively new author, though, instead of bowing to the criticisms, Blume persisted in writing openly and honestly about issues affecting young people -- and speaking up for authors, teachers, librarians, and others who face disapproval, insults, and even the loss of jobs and careers because they refuse to remove books from the hands of young readers. As such, she has become a champion for children's freedom to read -- and authors' freedom to write -- about topics that some find controversial.

Banned Book Week is an annual event which celebrates the freedom to read and the highlights the value of free and open access to information. In honor of Banned Books Week 2025, we are proud to present our tribute to Judy Blume's career, both as an author of many beloved Mighty Girl books and as a determined and forceful voice against censorship and book banning. In a time when Blume's books still face challenges, her experiences combating censorship -- and her powerful words about the value of making complex and daring books accessible to kids -- are more important than ever.

To read our blog post, "Protecting 'The Books That Will Never Be Written'": Judy Blume's Fight Against Censorship," visit https://www.amightygirl.com/blog/?p=7425

For two inspiring books about girls fighting against censorship in schools - both for ages 9 to 12 - we highly recommend "Ban This Book" (https://www.amightygirl.com/ban-this-book) and "Property of the Rebel Librarian" (https://www.amightygirl.com/property-of-the-rebel-librarian)

For children's books about girls living in real-life societies throughout history with little respect for freedom of expression, visit our blog post "The Fragility of Freedom: Mighty Girl Books About Life Under Authoritarianism" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=32426

For a thought-provoking young adult novel exploring censorship, we recommend "Suggested Reading" for ages 14 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/suggested-reading

And for Mighty Girl stories that pay tribute to the transformative power of books, check out our blog post "Celebrating a Love of Reading: 35 Mighty Girl Stories about Books, Libraries, and Literacy" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11656

Improvising with sweep bowing by my pool overlooking my mountains. Mother nature is so inspiring, the views, the environment, the beauty. Enjoy. #woodviolins @electrifyyoursymphony @woodviolins #eys #woodviolins #rockviolin #violin #violinist #electrifyyourstrings @markwoodmusic #rockorchestra #orchestra #electricviolin #electricviolinist

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UPDATE: Lt. Col. Amy McGrath announced her candidacy today for the U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, which is open in 2026 following Mitch McConnell's announcement of his retirement. “I know what courage looks like. Right now, way too many politicians don’t, and Americans are being thrown under the bus by cowards in Washington without the moral backbone to serve our nation with honor," McGrath said in today's announcement.

McGrath brings her distinguished military service and combat experience to a race that offers Democrats a critical opportunity to flip a traditionally red seat that McConnell held for 38 years. Since retiring from her 20-year military career in 2017, McGrath has taught U.S. government and national security at the U.S. Naval Academy and the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky, and founded Honor Bound, Inc., a nonprofit focused on encouraging women veterans to run for office.

To learn more, visit https://amymcgrath.com/

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Lt. Col. Amy McGrath, the record-breaking Marine Corps fighter pilot, called out the absurdity of Pete Hegseth's new 'male-level' combat standards policy -- which he touted during his multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded photo-op last week -- setting the record straight that combat jobs never had separate standards for women.

"Pete Hegseth still has a lot to learn, I think, unfortunately. When I flew my combat missions, there was not a set male standard and a female standard for flying an aircraft onto the back of an aircraft carrier. You can either do it or you can't.

And so I feel like it's the notion of standing up there and saying to the generals and admirals who all, by the way, know that there were never separate combat standards for males and females, you know, combat jobs have had one standard for a long time. And part of when we opened combat jobs to women, those of us who were in those jobs wanted one standard to be set. And it was."

- Retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath is a former fighter pilot who made history as the first woman to fly a combat mission for the Marine Corps in an F/A-18 fighter jet. During her 20-year military career, she flew 89 combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, serving with distinction in one of the most demanding roles in the armed forces.

For a children's book that gives groundbreaking women in the military, past and present, the respect they deserve, we highly recommend "Heroism Begins With Her: Inspiring Stories of Bold, Brave, and Gutsy Women in the U.S. Military" for ages 9 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/heroism-begins-with-her

For books for young readers that honor the service of women in the military, visit our blog post "The Price of Peace: A Mighty Girl Recognizes Veterans" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=12356

For books for all ages about trailblazing female pilots throughout history, visit our blog post, "30 Books About Boundary-Breaking Female Pilots," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=20960

To see more stories from A Mighty Girl, you can sign-up for A Mighty Girl's free weekly email newsletter at https://www.amightygirl.com/forms/newsletter

In a powerful defense of constitutional principles, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut delivered a resounding rebuke to Trump's attempt to militarize Portland and other American cities. "This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law," Judge Immergut -- who was appointed by Trump in 2019 -- wrote in her Saturday ruling, warning that the administration's arguments "risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power — to the detriment of this nation."

In a particularly damning finding, the court determined that the President's own statements regarding the deployment were not "conceived in good faith" and were "simply untethered to the facts." She grounded her decision in American constitutional tradition, declaring that "This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs." This is judicial courage at its finest -- a judge willing to uphold the Constitution regardless of political pressure or who appointed her.

President Trump has been attempting to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, claiming the city is "war-ravaged" and under siege by domestic terrorists. His administration sought to federalize 200 Oregon National Guard members to protect an ICE facility that has seen small, largely peaceful protests -- typically involving fewer than 30 people since July. Judge Immergut found no evidence of the rebellion or insurrection that federal law requires to justify such military deployment. She noted that Portland's police force of over 800 officers, trained in crowd management and backed by mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies, was fully capable of handling the situation.

The judge determined that Trump exceeded his constitutional authority and violated the Tenth Amendment by attempting to federalize state troops without legitimate cause, calling it an "extraordinary measure" without justification. Remarkably, just hours before the ruling, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had blamed "far-left Democrat judges" for obstructing the administration -- yet the judge who blocked Trump's plan was his own conservative appointee with strong Republican credentials.

The Trump administration's response to the court's ruling revealed a shocking contempt for judicial authority. When Judge Immergut blocked the Oregon deployment on Saturday, Trump immediately attempted to circumvent her order by sending 300 federalized California National Guard troops to Portland instead -- troops that had been federalized months earlier in response to protests in Los Angeles that had long since subsided. This brazen maneuver prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to join Oregon's lawsuit, and Judge Immergut held an emergency hearing late Sunday night.

During that extraordinary late-night proceeding, an exasperated Judge Immergut pressed Justice Department lawyers: "Aren't the defendants simply circumventing my order? Why is this appropriate?" She then issued a second temporary restraining order blocking the deployment of National Guard troops from any state to Oregon.

Governor Newsom praised the ruling: "The rule of law has prevailed -- and California's National Guard will soon be heading home. This ruling is more than a legal victory, it's a victory for American democracy itself. Donald Trump tried to turn our soldiers into instruments of his political will. While our fight continues, tonight the rule of law said 'hell no'."

The administration has appealed to the Ninth Circuit, but for now, constitutional law has triumphed over attempted martial law. Judge Immergut's restraining orders remain in effect through October 18, with further arguments scheduled for October 17. Rather than accepting the court's decision, the Trump administration has doubled down on attacks against judicial independence -- a pattern that has characterized much of this presidency and demonstrates a troubling disregard for the constitutional separation of powers.

Stephen Miller dismissed Judge Immergut's conservative background entirely, claiming on social media that her ruling was an attempt to "nullify the 2024 election by fiat" and calling her merely "a district court judge with no conceivable authority, whatsoever, to restrict the President." Trump himself appeared unfamiliar with his own judicial appointee, repeatedly referring to Judge Immergut as "he" and "him," declaring "that judge ought to be ashamed of himself."

These attacks underscore a fundamental misunderstanding -- or willful rejection -- of the checks and balances that are essential to American democracy. The judiciary's role is not to rubber-stamp executive actions, but to uphold the Constitution, even when that means telling a president "no."

History shows that undermining judicial independence is often the first step in consolidating authoritarian control -- a pattern we cannot ignore. Judge Immergut's rulings this week stand as a critical check on executive overreach and a reminder that in America, no president -- not even the one who appointed you -- is above the Constitution.

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To share the stories of two modern day pioneering women judges, we recommend "Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" for ages 6 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/ruth-objects) and "Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/sonia-sotomayor)

For adult readers who would like to read the inspiring stories of female judicial pioneers, we recommend the excellent biography "First: Sandra Day O'Connor" (https://www.amightygirl.com/first-sandra-day-o-connor), Justice Ginsburg's powerful memoir "My Own Words" (https://www.amightygirl.com/my-own-words-rbg), and Justice Sotomayor's memoir "My Beloved World" (https://www.amightygirl.com/my-beloved-world)

To introduce kids to the importance of the judiciary, Eleanor Roosevelt is the author of a wonderful book for kids about citizenship and democracy which has been updated for contemporary kids: "When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You" for ages 7 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/when-you-grow-up-to-vote

For books for children and teens about the importance of standing up for truth, decency, and justice, even in dark times, visit our blog post, "Dissent Is Patriotic: 50 Books About Women Who Fought for Change," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14364

For books for tweens and teens about girls living under real-life authoritarian regimes throughout history that will help them appreciate how precious democracy truly is, visit our blog post "The Fragility of Freedom: Mighty Girl Books About Life Under Authoritarianism" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=32426

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To read more about Judge Immergut's rulings this week, visit https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/us/politics/trump-judge-oregon-immergut.html?unlocked_article_code=1.rk8.GR-4.DMkaGfMP3SSf&smid=url-share