Final answer:
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled in favor of the women petitioners on October 18, 1929, declaring them eligible for Senate appointments in Canada and overturning the previous decision of the Supreme Court of Canada. This was a significant advancement for women's rights, although societal attitudes and practices were slower to change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the decision made by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on October 18, 1929. This decision was a momentous one in Canada's history, particularly in the advancement of women's rights. After the Supreme Court of Canada denied the petitioners' claim, stating women were not "persons" eligible for appointment to the Senate according to the British North America Act of 1867, the petitioners appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which was then Canada's highest court of appeal. Lord Sankey, the Lord Chancellor, delivered the decision that overruled the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Privy Council ruled in favor of the women, declaring them eligible for Senate appointments, a significant step toward gender equality in Canada. However, the ruling was clear in noting that the change in law did not translate into immediate changes in societal attitudes and practices towards women's equality.
The history of the Privy Council, its powers and organization, as laid out after the Glorious Revolution, are also relevant for understanding its role in legal decisions. The Privy Council had a significant historical influence on colonial affairs, including making royal appointments, disallowing colonial laws in violation of English law, and hearing appeals from colonial courts. Hence, in 1929, its decision regarding the eligibility of women as Senate members was a reflection of its enduring legal authority, which has shaped laws and contributed to the historical progression of societies once under British rule.