“The green party should be in power because they will do more for our environment than any other party.” This opinion is subjective because it is based on feelings rather than fact. Developing subjective opinions in people does not come easily, unless born to the forename Agnes into the Macphail family. Agnes Macphail had the ability to change Mahatma Ghandi’s’ opinion on pacifism, ultimately making her a political juggernaut. Over her career she assembled an impressive resume, but she is best recognized for being a convincing news writer (2), persuasion of the government to appeal the conditions of prisoners(4) and for her irregular voice. (2)

In 1921, Macphail ran for the joint United Farmers-Independent Labour nomination (7), which allowed her to represent South-East Grey; the place where she was born and bred. (7) According to an online source, “…Macphails’ newspaper column and involvement with the United Farmers of Ontario had made her a household name…”(2) If someone is able to control the media, they can reach a variety of audiences. Newspapers were delivered to houses on a daily basis, and the more Macphail wrote, the more familiar the general public was with Macphail. They could associate her as “that person who will take what I say to heart,” which is what everyone wants. People begin to buy into what she campaigns and biased opinions are more likely occur in an individual when they are shown an opinion that is backed up with several points that make sense. Above all, Macphail could relate to each and every person that she fought for. (2) The bond between the people that supported Macphail was more than just person to person and became more of a brotherhood.  Macphail wrote about the people and addressed their problems. (2)She was a firm and constant writer that did not lose the support of anyone because she kept up to date with the day to day problems of society and did not keep secrets about what happened in parliamentary debates that she attended. (2) No town wants a representative that is not up to date with the day to day issues going on in society. People want someone such as Macphail who can follow up on the promises that they make. Writing was only a starting point for Macphail, as she went on to bigger and better things.

Macphail impacted society, but more importantly prisoners when she eventually got the government to not only appeal to the reconstruction of penitentiaries, but to the condition of which prisoners were treated. (4) Talking to the government is no big deal, but this was back in the early to mid 1900’s when woman were not treated as equals and were discriminated. Around this time there were disputes about whether the term woman was included in the context “persons.” There is no other way to explain this other than to experience it firsthand. Women have come a long way and they have earned their place in society, leaving an everlasting footprint.  Macphail is one of those women who persisted and will always be remembered for what she accomplished. For instance, after being elected into parliament, Macphail said, “‘Everything I said was wrong, everything I wore was wrong, everything I did was wrong.… The men did not want me in Parliament…’ ” (2) Macphail speaks about the discrimination she faced, but she continued to battle and eventually wooed the government into what she demanded. She took the heat from other politicians, but her points were valid because she took the input of everyone from her hometown. It can be referred to the quote, “a French island in an English sea.” All this means is that Macphail is the lone female politician in a world full of male politicians. Convincing the government shows the persuasive abilities of Macphail and it makes one optimistic about what the equivalent of Macphail would be in this day and age.