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Flora MacDonald served 16 years (1972-88) as Member of Canada's Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, holding three Cabinet positions: Secretary of State for External Affairs (1979-80), Minister of Employment and Immigration (1984-86), and Minister of Communications (1986-88). MacDonald was Canada’s first female foreign minister.

Born and educated in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, MacDonald is a graduate of Empire Business College and the National Defence College program in Canadian and International Studies. From 1990 to 1994, she hosted the popular TV series, North South.

MacDonald has served on the boards or advisory councils of several prominent organizations, including CARE Canada, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, and Doctors Without Borders. In 1998 she was named Companion of the Order of Canada for working toward improving “the human condition in Canada and around the world” and being a “leading figure in the movement to alleviate human suffering worldwide.”

In 2004 she received the Government of India’s Padma Shri award for distinguished service and excellence, one of India’s highest civilian awards.

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