Sarnia in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Pauline McGibbon 1910-2001

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 12, 2025

1. Pauline McGibbon 1910-2001 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first woman to hold a vice-regal office in Canada, Pauline Emily Mills, was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1910. After local schooling and a degree at Victoria College, University of Toronto, she married Donald Walker McGibbon in 1935. A life-long volunteer and supporter of the arts, Mrs. McGibbon became president of the Dominion Drama Festival in 1948 and national president of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire in 1963. She was the first woman to lead such organizations as the Canadian Conference of the Arts (1972) and the National Arts Centre (1980). In 1974 McGibbon was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1974-80) where she focused on culture and the arts. She was honoured as a Companion of the Order of Canada (1980) and a member of the Order of Ontario (1988). Once described as "Ontario's Eve" for all her first woman achievements, the Honourable Pauline McGibbon dedicated her life to the betterment of her.community, province and nation.

Première femme à occuper une fonction vice-royale au Canada, Pauline Emily Mills est née à Sarnia, en Ontario, en 1910. Après avoir fait ses études primaires et secondaires dans les écoles locales et obtenu un diplôme du Collège Victoria à l'Université de Toronto, elle épousa Donald Walker McGibbon en 1935. Bénévole et défenseur des arts pendant toute sa vie, Mme McGibbon devint présidente du Festival national d'art dramatique en 1948 et présidente nationale de l'Ordre impérial des filles de l'Empire en 1963. Elle fut la première femme à diriger des organismes comme la Conférence canadienne des arts (1972) et le Centre national des Arts (1980), En 1974, Mme McGibbon fut nommée lieutenante-gouverneure de l'Ontario (1974-1980) et, dans le cadre de ces fonctions, elle mit l'accent sur la culture et les arts. Elle fut nommée Compagnon de l'Ordre du Canada (1980) et membre de l'Ordre de l'Ontario (1988). Surnommée “Eve de l'Ontario” pour toutes ses “réalisations de femme pionnière”, l'honorable Pauline McGibbon a consacré sa vie à améliorer sa collectivité, la province et la nation.

Erected by Ontario

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Heritage Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 42° 58.426′ N, 82° 24.095′ W. Marker is in Sarnia, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is on College Avenue North 0.1 kilometers south of George Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 189 College Ave N, Sarnia ON N7T 4P1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mackenzie House and Family (approx. 0.4 kilometers

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 12, 2025

2. Pauline McGibbon 1910-2001 Marker

away); The Founding of Sarnia / La Fondation de Sarnia (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Indigenous Community Flag Plaza (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Honourable Alexander Mackenzie (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The St. Clair River (approx. 1.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Port Huron Carferry: crossing the St. Clair River (approx. 1.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Admiralty Anchor (approx. 1.7 kilometers away in the U.S.); Commerce & Catastrophe (approx. 1.7 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarnia.

The Hon. Pauline McGibbon (official portrait as Lt. Governor of Ontario) image. Click for full size.

3. The Hon. Pauline McGibbon (official portrait as Lt. Governor of Ontario)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.