Every generation inherits a set of ideas about how the world works, who belongs, and what is possible.
And then someone is brave enough to question them.
In 1929, five Canadian women challenged the conventional wisdom of their time that women could not be considered “persons”, and therefore not eligible for appointment to the Senate. Their lawyer challenged generations of legal precedent to argue that Canada’s Constitution must be capable of evolving with society.
Their victory gave us the living tree doctrine—the idea that our laws cannot remain frozen in the assumptions of another time.
Nearly a century later, Radicle Personhood™ returns to the Persons Case to explore what happens when unconventional thinkers challenge the conventions of their time—and how yesterday’s radical idea becomes tomorrow’s common sense in our institutions and places of work.
From the Famous Five, their lawyer, Newton Rowell to the ancient Queen of Sheba, whose confidence and authority were eventually transformed into the cautionary refrain “Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?”, we’ll examine the people who stepped beyond what their cultures expected of them—and what their stories can teach us about questioning the assumptions we inherit to create better futures and workplaces.
This year’s conversation features remarks by The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Independent Senator 2016-2026, the youngest lawyer to be inducted to the Order of Canada in 1985 for her co-leadership in strengthening constitutional equality protections in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as the Honourable Donna Dasko, The Honourable Donna Dasko, Independent Senator 2018–2026, co-founder of Equal Voice, and nationally recognized public opinion researcher and advocate for women's political equality. Both have had extraordinary careers challenging assumptions about who could occupy the highest positions of authority in Canadian law.
Because progress has always depended on someone being willing to ask:
what if the conventional wisdom is wrong?
*This program contains 1 hour and 30 minutes of EDI Professionalism content
Radicle Personhood™ 2026: Unconventional Wisdom.
Presented by
with
Program Partners
VIP REception Host
community Partners
Confirmed 2026 Speakers
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Samantha Seabrook
Founder, Seabrook Workplace Law
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Honourable Marilou McPhedran
Independent Senator 2016-2026
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Kathryn Marshall
Founding Partner
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Kadie Philp
Founder, Garden of Even
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V. Ophelia Rigault
CEO of REAL Talk Solutions
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HONOURABLE DONNA DASKO
Independent Senator 2018-2026
What to expect
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Arrival Reception
Begin the evening with refreshments and the opportunity to explore a curated selection of Garden of Even™ original artworks while connecting with fellow guests.
6:00pm– 7:30pm
Live and Virtual Program
Opening keynote by Samantha Seabrook on the Famous Five, the Persons Case and its lasting impact
Remarks by The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Independent Senator 2016-2026, the youngest lawyer to be inducted to the Order of Canada in 1985 for her co-leadership in strengthening constitutional equality protections in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as the Honourable Donna Dasko, The Honourable Donna Dasko, Independent Senator 2018–2026, co-founder of Equal Voice, and nationally recognized public opinion researcher and advocate for women's political equality.
The Honourable McPhedran and Honourable Dasko in conversation with Kathryn Marshall
A signature Garden of Even™ keynote by founder Kadie Philp offering a thought-provoking look at the ancient wisdom tradition and how conventional wisdom changes.
7:30 - 9:00pm
Reception & Election Results Viewing
Continue the conversation over premium wine and seasonal canapés and bites in an intimate setting surrounded by select original Garden of Even™ artwork and fellow leaders from across business, culture, and the professions.
A livestream of the Ontario Municipal elections will be available.
Venue
227 Bloor St. East | Downtown Toronto
Nearest Subway:
Bloor Yonge (Yonge Line)
Sherbourne (Bloor Line)
Your host
Kadie Philp is the Founder of Garden of Even™, an award-winning storyteller, and a sought-after international speaker whose work sits at the intersection of history, culture, leadership, and social change.
Over the past twenty years, she has worked in more than 100 cities across 30 countries, advising leaders, institutions, and communities navigating transformation. Her insights have been featured in the Financial Times, The Globe and Mail, and other international media.
Through Garden of Even™, Kadie explores the women, myths, and stories that have shaped our collective imagination. Her signature experiences combine historical research, immersive storytelling, and original art to reveal how the stories we inherit influence the futures we create. Through Garden of Even™, she invites audiences to reconsider familiar stories and discover what becomes possible when we see them, and ourselves, differently.
Radicle Personhood 2025:
What they said
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Elenor Q.
A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to Kadie Ward Philp, MBA and I got to say she was the energy you needed for a mid-week event. 🎉 🥳 By far one of the best events I've been to filled with passionate energy and wisdom.
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Cenobar P.
I had the genuine privilege to attend the Radicle Personhood event. thank you to Samantha Seabrook who delivered an inspiring keynote. I cannot express how uplifting it was to attend the event.
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Ircilia I.
What an amazing Persons Day event. I am grateful to the incredible speakers and for the learning opportunity.
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Ilona O.
The Garden of Even's Persons Day has set a high standard for events on leadership. I came away with fresh insights that are challenging me to rethink familiar concepts in profound ways. This was an inspiring, mind-opening experience—one I’d recommend to anyone, regardless of gender.
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Jenna K.
was a remarkable evening, reminding us of the trailblazers of the past, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done.
why “Radicle”
Garden of Even™ choice of “radicle” in the event name is very intentional.
Some seeds can lie dormant buried the ground for years, even centuries, waiting for the right conditions to take root. When they do, the first root to emerge is called the radicle.
It anchors and stretches the seed to make growth possible.
The Persons Case was one of those radicle moments. It challenged a widely accepted belief and, in doing so, helped new ideas take root. From it grew the “living tree” doctrine, a recognition that the law must evolve as society does, creating space for future decisions to redefine concepts like equality.
Radicle Personhood™ builds on this idea. By examining the stories and beliefs at the root of our assumptions and practices, we can better understand how institutions can be re-rooted for a better future.
Every generation inherits a set of ideas about how the world works, who belongs, and what is possible.
And then someone is radicle enough to question them.
2026 Program details coming soon!
Radicle Personhood 2025:
What they said
-
Elenor Q.
A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to Kadie Ward Philp, MBA and I got to say she was the energy you needed for a mid-week event. 🎉 🥳 By far one of the best events I've been to filled with passionate energy and wisdom.
-
Cenobar P.
I had the genuine privilege to attend the Radicle Personhood event. thank you to Samantha Seabrook who delivered an inspiring keynote. I cannot express how uplifting it was to attend the event.
-
Ircilia I.
What an amazing Persons Day event. I am grateful to the incredible speakers and for the learning opportunity.
-
Ilona O.
The Garden of Even's Persons Day has set a high standard for events on leadership. I came away with fresh insights that are challenging me to rethink familiar concepts in profound ways. This was an inspiring, mind-opening experience—one I’d recommend to anyone, regardless of gender.
-
Jenna K.
was a remarkable evening, reminding us of the trailblazers of the past, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done.
Radicle Personhood
2025 Highlights
