By Emma Jay

On 29 December 2021, Dr. Betsy McGregor, author of WOMEN ON THE BALLOT: PATHWAYS TO POLITICAL POWER, was appointed to the Order of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon. Plumleaf Press would like to extend a warm congratulations to Betsy and acknowledge this incredible honour.

The Order of Canada recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and to the nation. Betsy received this honour for championing women in science and for supporting and encouraging a new generation of Canadian leaders.

For more than 30 years, Betsy has been dedicated to advocating for women in science, technology, and the trades. She was a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) Women Leader’s Network in the science and technology stream and co-authored a chapter on gender for the UNESCO World Science Report in 1996. In her work as a teacher, Betsy has also created and led many youth workshops for value-centred leadership. In November, the National Women’s Liberal Commission of Ontario (NWLCO) awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation for promoting women in Canadian politics.

Of Betsy’s impressive accomplishments, Charles S. Coffey, former executive vice president for RBC, said, “Betsy McGregor is a remarkable leader: determined, compassionate, articulate and visionary. Her work on ethics in leadership, based out of Harvard Medical School, and internationally as founder of the World Women’s Veterinary Association illustrates the unique depth and experience Betsy brings to the many she mentors in Canada and overseas.”

Betsy is a shining example of what the Order of Canada represents: extraordinary citizens who go above and beyond to bring positive change to the communities they serve.

As an extension of her work promoting women in leadership, Betsy wrote WOMEN ON THE BALLOT to inspire readers to get involved in politics and to empower them to advocate for change across all levels of Canadian government. Featuring 95 Canadian women from diverse backgrounds, the book offers advice and encouragement to women while showcasing an amazing group of trailblazers. The Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, Canada’s first woman prime minister, described WOMEN ON THE BALLOT as “a book of personal stories profiling women in politics across Canada [that] helps change the perception of power by rendering visible a diverse and inclusive set of role models. It importantly helps change the landscape.”

Pick up your copy of WOMEN ON THE BALLOT today at plumleafpress.com, Indigo, or Amazon, and get inspired!