The Honourable Pauline M. McGibbon

The Honourable Pauline Mills McGibbon (1910-2001) passed away on December 14, 2001. She will be remembered as a great and influential Ontarian, the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and first female representative of the Queen throughout the commonwealth.

Click here to learn more about The Honourable Pauline M. McGibbon fonds.

Click to see a larger version (83K)
Portrait of the Hon. Pauline M. McGibbon
[Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 1974-80]
Cleeve Horne (1912-1998)
oil on canvas
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 625814
photograph: Thomas Moore Photography

Click to see a larger version (41K)
Pauline Mills, [ca. 1916]
Photographer unknown
Reference Code: F 4161-5-2-3-5
Archives of Ontario, I0007508

Born in Sarnia, Ontario on October 20, 1910, Pauline was the only child of Ethel Selina and Alfred William Mills, a textiles and general goods merchant.

She was encouraged from an early age to participate in the performing arts, and both parents were known throughout the community for their musical talents.

Pauline attended George Street and Lochiel Street Schools and Sarnia Collegiate, and went on to graduate with a BA in Modern History at Victoria College, University of Toronto in 1933. She married Donald Walker McGibbon in January, 1935.

After a lengthy career as a volunteer for many organizations, including serving as the National President of Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (1963-65), Pauline McGibbon was appointed the first female Lieutenant-Governor in 1974 by Pierre Elliot Trudeau, a position she held until 1980. She was an Officer of the Order of Canada (1967), Companion of the Order of Canada (1980), and a Member of the Order of Ontario (1988).

McGibbon's love of theatre and music manifested itself in a career as an advocate of the arts that spanned half a century, from the 1940s into the 1990s.

Click to see a larger version (42K)
Pauline McGibbon (née Mills) Honorary Degree from McMaster University, [ca. 1930 - 1945]
Photographer unknown
Reference Code: F 4161-1-2-13
Archives of Ontario, I0007507

She was involved with many different arts organizations including serving in the following capacities: First President, Children's Film Library of Canada (1948-1950), President, Dominion Drama Festival (1957-1959), Chairman, Board of Directors, National Theatre School of Canada (1955-1959), Member of the Canada Council (1968-1971).

Click to see a larger version (69K)
Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon
at opening of the Ontario Legislature, 1975
Toronto, Ontario
Photographer unknown
Reference Code: F 4161-3-2-2
Archives of Ontario, I0007505

In addition, she served as the chair, board member, director and/or president of fifteen arts associations, including the National Arts Centre, the Toronto International Festival of Dance and Music, and the du Maurier Council for the Performing Arts. In addition to her benevolent work on behalf of the arts in Canada, McGibbon also was an active member of the business community, and worked as director of many large companies including IBM, Imasco, Mercedes-Benz, and George Weston.

Pauline McGibbon was the first woman to attain numerous titles and accolades in Canada, including being the first female chancellor of two major Canadian universities (Guelph and University of Toronto) and the Governor of one college (Upper Canada College), as well as being the first female director of IBM, Imasco, and Mercedes-Benz. She was also the first female President of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.

Click to see a larger version (76K)
Opening of the Ontario Legislature, 1975
Toronto, Ontario
Photographer unknown
Reference Code: F 4161-3-2-2
Archives of Ontario, I0007506

The Archives of Ontario holds extensive records documenting The Honourable Pauline McGibbon's long and varied career. Click here to learn more about the The Honourable Pauline M. McGibbon fonds.