Marion Reid (1929 – 2023)

Marion Loretta Reid was a politician, the first woman Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the first woman Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. Born in North Rustico, Reid's mother began taking her to political meetings when she was still a child. She received her teacher's certification at age 17 and taught school for three years. Following a leave to raise her family, she returned to a teaching career that lasted 21 years, the last four as a school principal. Reid was active in the Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation and other community organizations before she was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1979. She was re-elected twice. In 1983, Reid became Speaker of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly, the first woman elected to this position. She was appointed Lieutenant Governor in 1990. Reid received numerous honours, including membership in the Order of Prince Edward Island and the Order of Canada.

“It’s nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.”