Florence Bird

Who was Florence Bird?

Florence Bayard Bird, CC was a Canadian broadcaster, journalist, and Senator.

Born Florence Rhein in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended Bryn Mawr College and, in 1928, married journalist John Bird. They moved to Montreal in 1931. In 1937, they moved to Winnipeg where her husband worked for the Winnipeg Tribune. She also appeared on CBC Radio and Television as Anne Francis, a political analyst. Francis [Bird] made several appearances on the panel show, Fighting Words in the early 1960s.

She is best remembered for her work as chair of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women.

She was a member of the Canadian Senate from March 23, 1978 until January 15, 1983.

In 1971, she was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.