A caring, committed and dynamic citizen, Shirley Dysart has given back to her community and her province for five decades. This tireless volunteer has provided leadership to organizations such as the New Brunswick Music Festival, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Family Services, the Irish-Canadian Cultural Association and Theatre New Brunswick. A former politician, she led the introduction of a universal, full-day public kindergarten program across the province while serving as Education Minister. The first woman Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, she continues to be a role model to young people in New Brunswick.