Renaude Lapointe

Renaude Lapointe, born on January third, nineteen twelve, in Disraeli, Quebec, was a pioneering figure in Canadian journalism and politics. As the daughter of Joseph-Alphonse Lapointe and Marie-Louise Poulin, she broke barriers for women in her field, becoming one of the first professional female journalists in Canada.

Her career began in the 1940s and 1950s at Le Soleil in Quebec City, where she made significant contributions to journalism. In nineteen fifty-nine, she joined the esteemed staff of Montreal's La Presse, further solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in the media.

In nineteen seventy-one, Renaude was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, marking a historic moment as she became the first French-Canadian woman to preside over the Senate. She served until her retirement in nineteen eighty-seven, during which she held the position of Speaker of the Senate from September twelfth, nineteen seventy-four, to October fourth, nineteen seventy-nine, and later as Speaker pro tempore from June ninth, nineteen eighty-two, to November thirtieth, nineteen eighty-three.

Her contributions to Canadian society were recognized in nineteen eighty-nine when she was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada, a testament to her legacy in both journalism and public service.