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The Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson, 1972-1974 

The Senate commissions a portrait of every Speaker in recognition of the procedural and protocol importance of that role — a tradition that predates Confederation. 

The subject of this portrait, the Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson, is notable for her legacy of breaking barriers for women in the Senate. Appointed in 1953, Ms. Fergusson was the first female senator to represent New Brunswick and to serve as Speaker. During her 22 years in the Senate, Ms. Fergusson fought for equal opportunity and pay for Canadian women and helped open the Senate Page Program to young women. She served as Speaker from 1972 to 1974 and retired from the Upper Chamber in 1975.

The Speaker can choose the artist for whom they would like to sit; Ms. Fergusson selected Hubert Rogers of Prince Edward Island. Originally a science fiction illustrator, Mr. Rogers designed Canadian war posters in the 1940s and later focused on painting portraits. Ms. Fergusson’s Senate portrait is distinct from its predecessors in that the artist added the Canadian flag, which was inaugurated eight years prior.

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