The Fine Legacy of Adrienne Clarkson Second Female Governor General of Canada

To learn more about Canadian or Quebec politics, both McGill University and Concordia University in Montreal offer wonderful political science degrees, that you may want to look into.

Montreal's Concordia University has a wonderful women's studies program at the Simone do Beauvoir Institute

The duties of a governor general is to represent the ruling British Monarch in Canada. The governor general carries out administrative duties and also celebratory or festive activities. We will now look at the three female governor generals of Canada, two of which were from Montreal.

The final days of Adrienne Clarkson's term as governor general was very tender. The mutual respect between her and the military was evident. The military prepared a very large send off ceremony for her. This was a mementos occasion as no other governor general of Canada every had a military hosted ceremony before.

Parliament also gave Adrienne Clarkson a sendoff. They thanked her for her hard work and dedication, and gave her the viceregal flag that was flown from the Peace Tower over the Parliament Buildings where she presided.

As is the custom, Adrienne Clarkson and her life partner Saul, planted two swamp white oaks trees on the grounds of the governor general's home at Rideau Hall to mark the end of her time in office.

The following day, Montreal's Michaëlle Jean, was sworn in as the new governor general of Canada. Adrienne, known to break with tradition attended Michaëlle Jean swearing in ceremony; something that has never been done in one hundred years. The gesture was unorthodox, but showed her respect for her successor.

This marked a great day for the respect and status of women in Canada.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrienne_Clarkson