First Woman in Canadian Cabinet

Date: June 21, 1957 • Location: Ottawa, Canada

Ellen Fairclough (pictured) became the first woman to be appointed to the cabinet of Canada.

Ellen Louks Fairclough was a Canadian politician. A Progressive Conservative member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1950 to 1963, she was the first woman ever to serve in the Canadian Cabinet.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in Canada's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.