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The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain

First woman of volunteerism and philanthropy

YWCA Toronto women of distinction award 2005: philanthropy and volunteerism

For more than four decades, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain has offered the depth of her vision, the gift of her time, the power of her persuasiveness and the benefit of her financial resources to improve the lives of women and their families. She receives the 2005 YWCA Women of Distinction award for Philanthropy and Volunteerism.

A passionate and acclaimed advocate for quality early childhood education, Margaret McCain has played a major role in many early child development policy and program initiatives in Canada. The first woman Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick in 1994, she brings clarity, innovation and creativity to all her leadership her roles.

In 1999, she co-chaired the Early Years Study with Dr. Fraser Mustard and in 2002 she co-chaired the City of Toronto's Commission for Early Learning and Child Care. She continues to campaign for a comprehensive, community-based program of early childhood services.

An impassioned advocate for improving the lives of the most vulnerable in the city, she financially supports many organizations including the Canadian Women’s Foundation, LEAF, TVO and the National Ballet School. Not satisfied with using only her personal financial resources to support causes, she also motivates others to take leadership roles in philanthropy.

Margaret McCain was instrumental in the establishment of Beatrice House, an integrated program piloting an enriched Early Childhood Development Centre and transitional housing opportunity for single mothers and their young children.

Mrs. McCain is a founding member of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation in New Brunswick, whose mission is to eliminate family violence through public education and research. She chaired the Foundation’s capital campaign and, thanks to her efforts, they were able to establish the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Family Violence Research Centre at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. This centre became the prototype for four others across Canada.

Raised in a household where education was highly revered, Mrs. McCain received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has been presented with numerous honorary degrees including Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, the University of Moncton, University of Toronto and Mount Allison University.

Mrs. McCain has received the Order of Canada, the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Award for Work in the Field of Family Violence, the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award, the Centre for Excellence for Early Child Development Award and the 100 Most Powerful Canadian Women Award. In October 1994, she was invested as a Dame of Grace in the Most Venerable Order of Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Margaret McCain is active in numerous organizations that promote education, music and the arts at the provincial and national level, and she continues to leave an indelible mark on public policy affecting women and girls across Canada.

Margaret McCain was born in northern Quebec. Her father was a prominent mining engineer, and her mother was Senator Margaret Norrie of Truro N.S. She is married to acclaimed business person and entrepreneur G. Wallace F. McCain. She has four children and eight grandchildren.

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