Ellen Louks Fairclough (; January 28, 1905 – November 13, 2004) was a Canadian politician. A Progressive Conservative member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1950 to 1963, she was the first woman ever to serve in the Canadian Cabinet.
Early life and career
Fairclough was born Ellen Louks Cook on January 28, 1905, in Hamilton, Ontario, to Norman Ellsworth and Nellie Bell (née Loucks) Cook. Fairclough was a chartered accountant by training, and ran an accounting firm prior to entering politics. She also served as a member of the executive for the Girl Guides of Canada prior to her election as a Member of Parliament.
Political career
Fairclough's political career began as a member of Hamilton City Council (Ontario) from 1945 to 1950. In 1958, she became Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and from 1962 until her defeat in 1963, she was Postmaster General. she was the first woman ever given the duty. In 1989, she was the recipient of the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Person's Case. In the fall of 1996, she received the Order of Ontario, the highest honour awarded by the province.
Fairclough was active in the Consumers Association of Canada, the Girl Guides, the I.O.D.E., the Y.W.C.A., the United Empire Loyalist Association, and the Zonta Club of Hamilton and Zonta International, before, during and after her stay in office. In 1982, the Ontario government office tower on the corner of MacNab and King Streets in Hamilton was officially named the Ellen Fairclough Building.
In recognition of her status as a pioneering woman in Canadian politics, she was bestowed the title Right Honourable in 1992 by Queen Elizabeth II, Her husband Gordon and son Howard both predeceased her.
On June 21, 2005, Canada Post issued a postage stamp in honour of Fairclough.
Archives
The Ellen Louks Fairclough fonds is at Library and Archives Canada.