Education 'trailblazer' buried in P.E.I. celebrated on centenary of her death

The first woman in the British Commonwealth to receive a Bachelor's degree is being honoured on the centenary of her death at her gravesite in Tryon, P.E.I.

Grace Annie Lockhart received her degree in science and literature fromMount Allison University in 1875.

She's buried in Tyron's South Shore United Church cemetery, where the university's alumni office will honour her on Sept. 18.

She was miles ahead in talking and speaking about things that are still being really spoken about today.CarolledeSte-Croix

"She was a woman way ahead of her time,"said Carolle de Ste-Croix, Mount Allison's director of alumni relations.

"It's an important thing in our history and we're very happy to be able to be there in Prince Edward Island to remember her."

Last years on P.E.I.

Lockhart was born in Saint John, N.B., in 1855. After graduating, she married a reverendand lived around the Maritimes with her three sons. She spent her last years on P.E.I.

"She was speaking and discussing and talking about things publiclythat were decades, decades ahead of her," said Ste-Croix.

University archivist David Mawhinney is scheduled to host a special presentation on her life and significance. History groups, members of the church, and alumni from across the region, including former P.E.I. premier Catherine Callbeck, are expected to attend.

"If you look at her quotes from her speeches that she did on equity, pay equity, the women's right to vote, women's right to public education she was miles ahead in talking and speaking about things that are still being really spoken about today."

Trailblazer

"For a woman of her day, she was quite the trailblazer," said Ste-Croix.

The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the South Shore United Church, #85 Route 10 in Tryon.

A reception will follow the official presentation. The event is open to the public, but organizers are asking all attendees to register.

More details on the event here.

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