“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.

Karin Wells was born in the UK, grew up in BC and now lives in south west Ontario. She is best known as a CBC radio documentary maker and is a three time recipient of the Canadian Association of Journalist documentary award. Her work has been heard on radio networks around the world and has been recognized by the United Nations. Wells worked – briefly – as a line worker in a pea factory, a school teacher and an actor. She is also a lawyer and in 2011 was inducted into the University of Ottawa’s Common Law Honour Society.

Karin Wells' profile page

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

Carol Off, former co-host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens and author of At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage

“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

“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

“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

“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