PEI Coalition for Women in Government

17th (and final!) day of #PEIWomenLeaders In 1993 Catherine Callbeck became the first woman in PEI and Canada to be elected premier in a general election. In her political career, she was also a MLA, a Member of Parliament, and a Senator.

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 16 In 1987 Florence Hardy accepted to be a claimant before the Prince Edward Island Supreme Court so that the province would grant parents in her region the right to have their children educated in French. She was successful and, as a result, set a decisive milestone regarding the educational rights for Acadians and Francophones on the island. Noëlla Arsenault and Madeleine Costa went before the Supreme Court of Canada in order to obtain the right to ha...ve a French school in their community. Thanks to the determination of these three women there is greater access to French language education in Prince Edward Island. Pictured: left is Noëlla Arsenault, right is Madeleine Costa

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 15 Joy Ikede moved with her family from Nigeria to Charlottetown, PEI, in 1990. Educated in Classics and adult education, Joy taught sessionally at the University of Prince Edward Island and taught English as a Second Language at Holland College. Joy volunteered with many organizations working for women’s rights, newcomers, multiculturalism, race relations, and violence prevention. She served as UPEI International Students Advisor from 2001 to 2012, when she retired. Joy received the Carol’s Creed Award in 2007 from the Atlantic Association of College and University Services and in 2014 was recognized as a Founder of the University of Prince Edward Island.

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 14 Sharda Gupta came to Canada with her husband in 1961, and they moved to Charlottetown, PEI, in 1963. Sharda was an active volunteer and leader in PEI with Boy Scouts of Canada, PEI Association of Community Schools, and the Indo-Canadian Association of PEI, among others. She volunteered with various committees for newcomers to Canada. She led and hosted Canada Day celebrations for many years and in 2001 received the volunteer of the year award from the Celebrate Canada Committee for PEI. In 2005 she received a Citizenship Recognition Award.

Happy New Year! 2020 has been a year of trials and tribulations, but it has also been a year of resilience and growth. From the team at the Coalition, we hope 2021 brings you and yours happiness!

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 7 Hilda Ramsay was the first woman to campaign for a seat in the legislative assembly in 1951. She ran for the CCF (a precursor to the NDP in PEI) in Indian River. Share your completed colouring pages in the comments below!!

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 6 Today, our leader is Leti LaRosa. She was a founding member of the National Organization of Immigrants and the Visible Minority Women’s Organization of Canada. In all aspects of her life, she celebrates her Philippino heritage and culture with newcomers and established Islanders. She has been a recipient of several awards for all her community and professional work, including the Queen Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012, and being named one of the RBC Top 2...5 Canadian Immigrants in 2013. Share your completed masterpiece in the comments below!

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 5 Today we are celebrating Jean Canfield, the first woman to be elected as an MLA on PEI. First running provincially in 1966, she was elected in 1970, and served as a Liberal MLA until 1979. She was also the first woman to serve on the provincial Executive Council as Minister without Portfolio and Minister responsible for the PEI Housing Authority from 1972 to 1974. She was, furthermore, Chair of the PEI Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, a prec...ursor to the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Comment your completed colouring pages with us below!

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 4 Today we'd like to honour Margaret Bernard, the first Chief of Abegweit First Nation. She was elected Chief in May 1972, shortly after the creation of the band in March of that same year. Share your completed colouring pages in the comments below!

#PEIWomenLeaders Day 3 Our leader of the day is Dorothy Corrigan. Elected to the Charlottetown City Council in 1960, she ran for Mayor of Charlottetown in 1968. She was the first, and to-date only, woman elected as the Mayor of Charlottetown. Colour the pages and share them with us as a comment below