The Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson, P.C., O.C., Q.C. was one of New Brunswick’s most beloved women. Born in 1899 in Shediac Cape, she became a lawyer long before women were accepted in that profession, became the first woman Senator from the Atlantic region and the first female Speaker of the Senate. The recipient of numerous awards and honourary degrees, Senator Fergusson dedicated her life to selfless public service and tireless pursuit of social justice. She passed away in 1997.
The Foundation was established in 1985. In recognition of her outstanding contribution over many years in the field of social action and justice, the Foundation requested that the Hon. Muriel McQueen Fergusson, P.C., O.C., Q.C., accept an invitation to be Patron of the fledging trust, and received permission to adopt her name. All of the work of the Foundation, including fundraising and project organization, is carried out by a volunteer Board of Directors and an Executive Director.