Marie-Claire Kirkland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie-Claire Kirkland
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Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain in 1971
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| MLA for Jacques-Cartier | |
| In office 1961–1966 |
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| Preceded by | Charles-Aimé Kirkland |
| Succeeded by | Noël Saint-Germain |
| MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys | |
| In office 1966–1973 |
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| Preceded by | first member |
| Succeeded by | Fernand Lalonde |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1924 Palmer, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | March 24, 2016 (aged 91) |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouses | Philippe Casgrain (m. 1954, div), Wyndham Strover (m. 1989) |
| Children | Lynne, Kirkland, Marc |
| Alma mater | McGill University |
| Profession | lawyer |
Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain (September 8, 1924 – March 24, 2016) was a pioneering woman in Quebec, Canada. She was a lawyer, a judge, and a politician. She achieved many "firsts" for women in Quebec.
She was the first woman ever elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. She was also the first woman to become a Cabinet minister in Quebec's government. Later, she became the first woman to serve as an acting premier. Finally, she was the first woman judge in the Quebec Provincial Court. Her work opened doors for many women who followed her.
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Her Early Life and Career
Marie-Claire Kirkland was born in Palmer, Massachusetts. Her father, Charles-Aimé Kirkland, was a politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Quebec. Her mother was Rose Demers.
Marie-Claire studied at McGill University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947. In 1950, she received her Bachelor of Civil Law degree. She became a lawyer in Quebec in 1952. She worked as a lawyer in Montreal until 1961. In 1969, she was named a Queen's Counsel, which is a special honor for experienced lawyers.
Entering Politics
In 1961, after her father passed away, Marie-Claire decided to run for his political seat. She was elected as a Liberal in a special election. This made her the first woman to be elected to the Quebec Legislative Assembly. Her riding, or electoral district, was called Jacques-Cartier.
She was re-elected in 1962. She then joined the government of Premier Jean Lesage. She held two important jobs in his Cabinet:
- Minister without Portfolio (from 1962 to 1964)
- Minister of Transport and Communications (from 1964 to 1966)
In 1966, she was elected again, this time for the riding of Marguerite-Bourgeoys. She was re-elected once more in 1970. She continued to serve in the Cabinet under Premier Robert Bourassa. Her roles included:
- Minister of Tourism, Game and Fishing (from 1970 to 1972)
- Minister of Cultural Affairs (from 1972 to 1973)
Becoming a Judge
In 1973, Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain left politics. She became a judge, continuing her groundbreaking career. She served as a judge until she retired in 1991.
Her Legacy and Honors
Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain received many awards for her important contributions.
- In 1985, she was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. This is one of Quebec's highest honors.
- In 1992, she became a Member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honors.
- In 1993, she received the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. This award celebrates people who have advanced equality for women in Canada.
Remembering Her Impact
In 2012, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois unveiled a special statue. It stands outside the National Assembly of Quebec. The statue features Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, along with Idola Saint-Jean and her father, Charles-Aimé Kirkland. This statue was created by artist Jules Lasalle. It celebrated 50 years since Marie-Claire became the first female Cabinet minister in Quebec.
When she passed away on March 24, 2016, at the age of 91, Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain was honored in a very special way. She was the first woman in Quebec's history to receive a national funeral. This shows how important and respected she was for her work and achievements.
