Shirley Dysart

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Shirley Theresa Dysart (born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States) is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.

Dysart was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1974 to represent Saint John North. She was the first female Liberal, and second female of any party, to serve therein. She was re-elected in 1978, 1982, 1987 and 1991 and was a number of "firsts" in New Brunswick politics. She was the first woman to serve as the leader of a party in the Legislature (1985), the first woman to be Minister of Education (1987-1991) and first woman to be Speaker (1991-1995).

She retired from politics in 1995, not seeking re-election in the general election of that year.

She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2004.


Preceded by
Ray Frenette
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
1985
Succeeded by
Frank McKenna
Leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick
1985 (interim)

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