Breaking barriers in education

Breaking barriers in education

Author of the article: Ian Scott

Published by The Guardian, Charlottetown -- May 15, 2026

Grace Annie Lockhart, who lived in Charlottetown and Tryon, P.E.I., was the first woman in the British Empire to earn a university degree in 1875. Mount Allison University archives

Most Islanders recall the “Famous Five” photograph that documented in 1993 when five women held key government positions with Catherine Callbeck , P.E.I. premier, at the centre. This week she was at the centre again of a group of six Islanders to be honoured with a special award that has a unique Island connection.

P.E.I.’s “famous five” women in senior positions in government gathered for a photo in 1993. From left, speaker of the house Nancy Guptill, left, then lt.-gov. Marion Reid, then opposition leader Pat Mella, then premier Catherine Callbeck, then deputy speaker Libbe Hubley.

P.E.I.’s “famous five” women in senior positions in government gathered for a photo in 1993. From left, then speaker of the house Nancy Guptill, left, then lieutenant-governor Marion Reid, then opposition leader Pat Mella, then premier Catherine Callbeck, then deputy speaker Libbe Hubley. – Submitted 

The Grace Annie Lockhart Sesquicentennial Pin was presented to a group of individuals at Mount Allison’s convocation and the Island’s connection to this ground-breaking story is important.

Grace Annie Lockhart was the first woman in the British Empire to earn a university degree in 1875. After graduating from Mt. A she married Rev. John Leard Dawson, and lived in various Maritime locations before settling in Tryon.

Grace Annie Lockhart, the mother of three boys (including a Rhodes scholar) remained a lifelong advocate of higher education for women, writing in 1896 that, “As mind is greater than matter, the cultivation of the mind is more important than the cultivation of the soil.” She died in Charlottetown on May 18, 1916, at the age of 61, and is buried in the People’s Cemetery in Tryon where a special ceremony of recognition will be held this fall.

To celebrate her achievement 150 years ago, breaking barriers for women and advancing higher education, Mt. A, chose to honour a group of outstanding alumnae. The ceremony video is available, as are the bios and pictures of recipients on their website. There may be more Islanders that were not identified as such, but I am aware of six, including: Hon. Catherine Callbeck (’60, LLD ’96); Frances (Smith) McBurnie (’68); Jeannie (Robidoux) Lea (’72); Anne (Lapp) Krabill (’73); Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon (’84); Dr. Bonnie Henry (’86, LLD ’21).

It was fitting, on Mother’s Day, that women of the past and present were honoured where Grace Annie Lockhart’s ground-breaking event opened the doors 150 years ago, as we welcome new graduates embarking on their careers. Congratulations to all the honourees and the graduates.

Ian Scott,