Myra Ava Freeman (born May 17, 1949) is a
Canadian philanthropist
Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...
, teacher, the
29th and first female
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
The lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia () is the viceregal representative in Nova Scotia of the , who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada, as well as the other Commonwealt ...
.
Freeman was born Myra Ava Holtzman in
Saint John, New Brunswick, the daughter of Anne Golda (Freedman), a homemaker, and Harry Holtzman, a businessman. She graduated from
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University (commonly known as Dal) is a large public research university in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the fou ...
with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. In 1971, she started teaching with the
Halifax Regional School Board until her appointment.
She was appointed Lieutenant Governor in 2000 by
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, on the advice of
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien (; born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 20th prime minister of Canada from 1993 to 2003.
Born and raised in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Chrétien is a law graduate from Uni ...
. She served as lieutenant governor until September 7, 2006.
Freeman and her husband, Larry, have three children:
Daniel M. Freeman, Jonathan Freeman and Debra Freeman.
In her childhood, Freeman was a member of the
Girl Guides of Canada, participating in Guiding youth programs.
Honours
;Honorary degrees
Honorary military appointments
* 2003:
Honorary Captain of
Royal Canadian Navy Commander of
Maritime Forces Atlantic.
Arms
References
Past Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia Government of Nova Scotia. Accessed 2010-12-22.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeman, Myra
1949 births
Living people
Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia
Members of the Order of Nova Scotia
Politicians from Saint John, New Brunswick
People from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University alumni
Jewish Canadian politicians
Women in Nova Scotia politics
Canadian women viceroys
Jewish women politicians