Govern Like a Girl: The Women Who Became Canada’s First Ministers

Only twelve women have ever served as the premier of a Canadian province or territory, and only one has risen to the very top to serve as prime minister. In Govern Like a Girl, Kate Graham tells the stories of these thirteen women, from childhood to political power. Their experiences span three decades, every political stripe, and extend from coast to coast to coast. What motivated them to run for office? What did they accomplish once they were elected? And how did their style of governing differ from male politicians?

From Indigenous premiers, Eva Aariak and Nellie Cournoyea, to Premier and later Senator Catherine Callbeck of Prince Edward Island, to Quebec’s first female premier, Pauline Marois, these powerful women changed Canada for the better and showed the world how to govern like a girl.