Muriel McQueen Fergusson

Who was Muriel McQueen Fergusson?

Muriel McQueen Fergusson, PC OC QC was a Canadian Senator and the first woman Speaker of the Senate.

Born in Shediac, New Brunswick, she graduated from Mount Allison University in 1921 with a B.A..

She was the first woman elected, in 1950, to the Fredericton City Council and was the first woman deputy mayor in 1953.

She was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1953 and was the first woman Speaker of the Senate from 1972 to 1974. She retired in 1975.

In 1974, she was sworn to the Privy Council. In 1976 she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.