Shirley Dysart

Shirley Theresa Dysart CM (née Britt, February 22, 1928 – December 14, 2016) was an American-born Canadian teacher and a politician in the province of New Brunswick.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

She attained a number of "firsts" in New Brunswick politics. She was the first female Liberal in serve in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, the first woman to serve as the leader of a party in the provincial Legislature (1985), the first woman to be Minister of Education (1987–1991) and first woman to be Speaker (1991–1995).<ref name=":0"/>

Early years

Shirley Theresa Britt was born into an Irish Catholic family in Boston, Massachusetts in 1928, the eldest of eight children born to Canadians Leslie John Britt and Mary Agnes (née Donovan) Britt.<ref name= "TJ obit">Template:Cite news</ref> Her parents were both born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, and in May 1927 they traveled to Waltham, Massachusetts to stay with a cousin.<ref>Leslie John Britt; Mary Agnes Britt; U.S., Records of Aliens Pre-Examined in Canada, 1904-1954</ref> They returned to Canada when Shirley was still a baby, and she was followed by seven more children: Daniel, Raymond, Kenny, Shirley Joan, Anne, John and Gerald.<ref name="daniel">Template:Cite news</ref> She often cared for her younger siblings while her parents worked.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite news</ref>

Shirley and her siblings, fifth-generation residents of Saint John,<ref name="daniel"/> grew up in Saint John's East Side in the Cathedral Parish, where they attended public schools and St. Vincent's High School.<ref name= "TJ obit" /> Upon graduating she studied at the New Brunswick Teachers' College and the University of New Brunswick.<ref name=":0"/> She was awarded a Beaverbrook Scholarship and studied at the University of London.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

After graduating college, Dysart taught at her high school alma mater, St. Vincent's High School in Saint John.<ref name= "TJ obit" /> In 1967 she became a member of the school board for District 20.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She later served as chair of the board for three years,<ref name= "TJ obit" /> the first woman to hold the position.<ref name=":4"/>

In 1974 the leader of the Liberal Party, Bob Higgins, suggested she run for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick; she won the seat of Saint John North, becoming the first female Liberal, and second female of any party, to serve in the Legislative Assembly.<ref name=":3"/> In 1976, she served on the Bi-Centennial Celebration Committee for the Province of New Brunswick.<ref name=":4"/>

Dysart was re-elected in 1978, 1982, 1987 and 1991, holding her seat for twenty years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She remains the only Liberal politician to win five consecutive elections in Saint John.<ref name=":4"/>

In 1985, she was appointed the interim Leader of the Opposition, becoming the first woman to serve as the Leader of a political party in New Brunswick.<ref name=":4"/> Following the 1987 election, she was appointed Minister of Education, becoming the first woman to hold the position. While serving as Minister of Education, she led the introduction of a province-wide universal, full-day public kindergarten program, becoming known as the "architect" of the province's kindergarten system.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> She was also responsible for a number of community projects in St. John, including the rebuilding of the Imperial Theatre.<ref name=":3"/>

In 1991, Dysart was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the first woman to hold the position.<ref name=":5"/> She retired from politics in 1995, not seeking re-election in the general election of that year.<ref name=":0"/>

In addition to her political career, Dysart held a number of community leadership positions. She was president of the Catholic Women's League Council, president of the University of New Brunswick Alumni Council, and a member of the board of governors of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.<ref name=":0"/> She served on the boards of the New Brunswick Music Festival, Theatre New Brunswick, the University of New Brunswick Alumni Council,<ref name= "TJ obit"/> Saint John Family Services, and the Irish-Canadian Cultural Association.<ref name=":1"/>

Honors and awards

In October 1996 Dysart was awarded an honorary LLD by the University of New Brunswick Saint John, and in 2000, she received a Red Cross Humanitarian Award.<ref name=":2"/> She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2004.<ref name=":0"/> In 2012 she was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.<ref name=":2"/>

In 2015 she was named a Champion of Public Education by the national educational charity The Learning Partnership.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> She was also the recipient of the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, and the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Saint John.<ref name=":4"/>

Personal life

Dysart was married to H. Eric Dysart and had one son, J. E. Britt Dysart.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":2"/>

Dysart died "after a period of failing health" on December 14, 2016, at the age of 88.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> She was survived by her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, as well as two sisters, two brothers, and a large extended family.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> Following her death, flags at Saint John City Hall were flown at half-staff as a sign of respect.<ref name=":3"/>