Jeanne Sauvé (1922 – 1993)

Jeanne Sauvé had a long and distinguished career marked by a number of historical firsts. Born in Saskatchewan, she grew up and was educated in Ottawa, then moved to Montréal at the age of 20 to work for an international youth organization. Later, as a journalist, political commentator and broadcaster in French and English, Sauvé continually broke down barriers while insisting she be judged solely on her merits, not her gender. In 1972, she was elected to the House of Commons and became the first Quebec woman to hold a federal cabinet post. In 1980, she became the first woman to serve as speaker of the House of Commons. Sauvé made history once again in 1984, when she became the first woman to be appointed Governor General of Canada.

“We can have it all! We can embrace the fullness of life derived from love and work, and we need not do it at the expense of femininity.”