Background
McGonigal, Pearl was born on June 10, 1929 in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. Daughter of Fred and Kathryne Kuhlman.
McGonigal, Pearl was born on June 10, 1929 in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. Daughter of Fred and Kathryne Kuhlman.
Educated, Melville, Saskatchewan Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Manitoba.
She was a prominent Winnipeg-area municipal politician from 1969 to 1981, and served as the province"s 19th Lieutenant Governor from October 23, 1981 to December 11, 1986. She was the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and only the second woman to serve as a viceroy in Canadian history. Before entering politics, she spent nine years in the banking sector and seven as a merchandising representative.
McGonigal was elected to the city council of Saint James-Assiniboia in 1969, two years before its amalgamation with Winnipeg.
Following amalgamation, she served on the Greater City Council from 1971 to 1981, and was the city"s Deputy Mayor from 1979 to 1981. McGonigal was appointed Lieutenant
Governor of Manitoba by Governor General Edward Schreyer, on the advice of Pierre Trudeau, in 1981. The office was essentially a ceremonial post by this time, and McGonigal had little if any practical influence over the government of Howard Pawley during her time in office.
She was notable, however, as the first women in Manitoba (and only the second in Canada) to hold such a position.
She is a gourmet cook of some reputation, and has written regular columns on the subject in Winnipeg"s daily and community newspapers. Also during the early 2000s, McGonigal served as Chairman of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council in Manitoba, which regularly lobbies public bodies and private businesses to grant time off to military reservists for training purposes.
Board directors Winnipeg Convention Centre, 1975-1977, Red River Exhibition, 1975-1981, Rainbow Stage, 1976-1981, Manitoba Blue Cross. Ex-officio member Manitoba Theatre Centre, 1977-1981. Member Winnipeg Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1973-1975, Manitoba Environmental Concil, 1974-1976, Manitoba Aviation Council, 1974-1977.
Member selection committee Faculty Dental Hygiene, University Manitoba, 197-80. Board management Winnipeg Home Improvement Program, 1979-1981. Chairman advisory committee School Nursing, Grace General Hospital, 1972-1993.
Past chairman St. James-Assiniboia Inter-faith Immigration Council. Former member vestry St. Andrew's Anglican Church. Former volunteer Lions Manor, Sherbrook Day Centre.
Chairman board management Grace General Hospital, 1987-1993. Chairman board reference Catherine Booth Bible College, 1987. Commissioner Manitoba Law Reform Commission.
Campaign chairman United Way of Winnipeg, 1990. Vice chair Grey Cup Festival, '91. Honorary colonel 402 City of Winnipeg Squadron, 1992.
Member Order of Canada, Beta Sigma Phi (1st Lady of Year 1986). Clubs: Winnipeg Winter. Lodges: Knights of Columbus (Citizen of Year 1987).
Married Marvin A. McGonigal, November 3, 1948. 1 child, Kimberly Jane.