Parliament Hill - An Interactive Tour/Parliament Hill: An Interactive Tour.iso/pc/media/rideau.dxr/00585_Field_585.txt

Text File | 1997-09-21 | 2KB | 22 lines

Sauvé, Jeanne-Mathilde, née Benoit,  The Right Honourable
23rd Governor General of Canada

Term:
1985-1990

Born:
April 26, 1922

Died:
January 26, 1993


On May 14, 1984, Jeanne Sauvé made Canadian history by becoming the first woman to be appointed Governor General of Canada.  But this was not the first time she entered an area which traditionally had been dominated by men.

As a student at the University of Ottawa, she was President of the National Catholic Students Group (1942-47).  After receiving her university education at Ottawa and the University of Paris, Sauvé began a notable career as journalist and broadcaster in Montreal. In the latter part of her broadcasting career, she was a director of Bushnell Communications. Sauvé worked in journalism from 1952-72 - a time when there were not many women journalists.

In 1972, Sauvé entered another male-dominated sphere when she was elected a Liberal Member of Parliament. She was also the first female cabinet minister from Quebec. During her federal political career, she held several portfolios.  She was Minister of State for Science and Technology, Minister of the Environment, and Minister of Communications.

As Minister of State for Science and Technology, she was key in negotiating of funding for Telidon. Telidon was responsible for research on the Canadarm, which has subsequently been used by the American space shuttle program. Sauvé also made history on April 14, 1980 by becoming the first female Speaker of the House of Commons.  She was Speaker of the House from 1980 to1984. As Speaker, Sauvé instituted administrative reforms of the House of Commons. As Governor General, Sauvé brought a regal decorum to the Office.