Helen Hunley
Encyclopedia
The Honourable Wilma Helen Hunley, OC
, AOE
(September 6, 1920 – October 22, 2010) was a former Canadian
politician and the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
, the first woman to serve in that post.
, to James Edgar Hunley and Esta May Hunley, Hunley served as a town councilor from 1960 to 1966 and then mayor of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
from 1966 to 1971.
as a Progressive Conservative. She was the province's cabinet
minister serving as Minister Without Portfolio
from 1971 to 1973, Solicitor-General
from 1973 to 1975 and then Minister of Social Services and Community Health from 1975 until 1979 when she retired from politics.
In June, 1980, Hunley was appointed chair of the Alberta Mental Health Advisory Council. She also served on the Alberta 75th Anniversary Commission.
Hunley became president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta in 1984 and, in 1985, was appointed by Governor General
Jeanne Sauvé
, on the advice of Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney
, to the position of lieutenant-governor. She served in the position until 1991. In 1992, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, AOE
Alberta Order of Excellence
The Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
(September 6, 1920 – October 22, 2010) was a former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is the viceregal representative in Alberta of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the nine other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
, the first woman to serve in that post.
Early life
Born in Acme, AlbertaAcme, Alberta
Acme is a village in south-central Alberta, Canada. It is located northeast of Calgary, Alberta. It was the first village to be incorporated in Kneehill County....
, to James Edgar Hunley and Esta May Hunley, Hunley served as a town councilor from 1960 to 1966 and then mayor of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Rocky Mountain House is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, approximately west of the City of Red Deer. It is located at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 and Highway 11 .- History :The town has a long history dating to the...
from 1966 to 1971.
Political career
Hunley was elected to the province's legislative assemblyLegislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch.The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries....
as a Progressive Conservative. She was the province's cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
minister serving as Minister Without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
from 1971 to 1973, Solicitor-General
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
from 1973 to 1975 and then Minister of Social Services and Community Health from 1975 until 1979 when she retired from politics.
In June, 1980, Hunley was appointed chair of the Alberta Mental Health Advisory Council. She also served on the Alberta 75th Anniversary Commission.
Hunley became president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta in 1984 and, in 1985, was appointed by Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
, on the advice of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
, to the position of lieutenant-governor. She served in the position until 1991. In 1992, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.