Thérèse CASGRAIN

A member of Canada’s privileged class, Thérèse Casgrain was a social reformer and a strong advocate for women’s rights. She was a leader of the women’s suffrage movement in Québec. From 1928 to 1942, Madame Casgrain was president of the League for Women's Rights. As well, she was a member of both the National Health Council and the National Welfare Council. During the Second World War, Thérèse Casgrain helped organize the Wartime Prices and Trade Board.

In a by-election in 1942, Madame Casgrain was the Independent Liberal candidate in the Charlevoix-Saguenay riding, the seat held previously by her father and by her husband. From 1942 to 1962, she ran unsuccessfully nine times for public office, both federally and provincially.

Following the War, motivated by her commitment to “the common good”, Thérèse Casgrain left the Liberal Party and joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. She led the Québec wing of the party from 1951 to 1957, thereby becoming the first woman in Canada to lead a political party. Throughout the 1960s, Thérèse Casgrain campaigned against nuclear weapons, for human rights, and for women’s rights. She also worked closely with the New Democratic Party, the successor to the CCF.

In 1967, Thérèse Casgrain was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was promoted to Companion in 1974. In 1970 Madame Casgrain was appointed to the Senate, in recognition of her lifetime of good works. She passed away in 1981.