Canadian Feminists

Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981):

An advocate for Women's Suffrage and Women's Rights, she became the first woman in Québec to serve as provincial leader of a recognized party. In 1970, she became the first woman in Québec appointed to the Senate. While in office, she worked to obtain the right of women to serve on juries in Québec. This right was granted in 1971.

Rosemary Brown (1930-2003):

Feminist, social activist, politician and human rights advocate, Rosemary Brown came to Canada from Jamaica in 1950 to study Law at McGill, and later earned a master's degree in Social Work from UBC. A tireless worker for social justice, she challenged racism and sexism, and was the first Black woman elected to political office in Canada (1972-1986).

Hon. Muriel McQueen Fergusson (1889-1997):

Born in Shediac, NB, Fergusson was a lawyer, politician and champion of women's rights. First appointed to the Senate in 1953 after serving in municipal politics, she became the first woman Speaker of the Senate in 1972 and became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1976.

Sandra Lovelace Nicholas:

Sandra Lovelace Nicholas has been instrumental in challenging discriminatory provisions of the Indian Act that deprived aboriginal women of their status when they married non-Aboriginals.

Born April 15, 1948, Sandra hails from the Tobique First Nation in N.B. and has been awarded the Order of Canada (1990) and the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (1992). She now sits in the Senate as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.