Pauline Mills McGibbon

The Honourable
Pauline Mills McGibbon
CC OOnt
22nd Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
In office
10 April 1974 (1974-04-10) – 15 September 1980 (1980-09-15)
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors GeneralJules Léger
Edward Schreyer
PremierBill Davis
Preceded byWilliam Ross Macdonald
Succeeded byJohn Black Aird
Personal details
Born(1910-10-20)20 October 1910
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Died14 December 2001(2001-12-14) (aged 91)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
SpouseDonald Walker McGibbon (1910–1996) (m. 1935)
ProfessionDirector, community organizer

Pauline Mills McGibbon CC OOnt (21 October 1910 – 14 December 2001) served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1974 to 1980. In addition to being the first woman to occupy that position, she was also the first woman to serve as a viceregal representative in Canadian history.

Once described as 'Ontario’s Eve' for all her 'first woman' achievements, the Honourable Pauline McGibbon dedicated her life to the betterment of her community, province and nation.[1] A 1976 article indicated 'She has a warm, smiling face wreathed by a grey braid, her trademark… She is almost apologetic for being ‘old-fashioned,' but, because of her upbringing, she says she rarely feels really dressed, without gloves'.[2] Former Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson once commented that McGibbon 'was perceptive, incisive, amusing and self-deprecating'.[3]

  1. ^ "Pauline McGibbon 1910-2001". Ontario Heritage Trust. Province of Ontario. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Pauline McGibbon was the first female Lieutenant Governor of Ontario". Lambton County Museums. County of Lambton. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  3. ^ SMITH, Graeme (17 December 2001). "Ontario lieutenant-governor was a pioneer for women". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 29 January 2022.