Ellen Louks Fairclough

Born: January 28, 1905
Died: November 13, 2004
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Ontario

• Ellen Fairclough was the first female to be appointed to a cabinet position in the federal government.

• As a youth, she had a good role model in her mother who ran a boarding house.

• In addition, the church had a strong influence on Ellen Fairclough becoming a reformist and a humanitarian.

• She was first elected as a federal MP in 1950.

• Fairclough became an active advocate for women's issues.

• She was appointed the Secretary of State in the Diefenbaker government of 1957.

• In 1975, Ellen Fairclough was named "Woman of the Year" by the Province of Ontario.

• At one point, she was the first woman to be appointed Acting Prime Minister.

• She was instrumental in bringing about a revised Immigration Act for Canada.

• Fairclough was given special recognition by the House of Commons in 1978 for her parliamentary contribution.

• In 1995, Ellen Fairclough became a Companion of the Order of Canada.

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Last Updated: February 18, 2011
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