Graham, Marion Margaret (1903- 95)

Born in Crossland, Ontario on August 25, 1903, Graham came to Saskatchewan with her family in 1907. She graduated from Saskatoon Normal School at the University of Saskatchewan, and in 1928 began teaching in Saskatoon. There Graham spent most of her career, her work including pioneering involvement in Special Education. Promoting Education and library development, she played a central role in many organizations, became a Saskatchewan library trustee, and was a member of the Saskatoon school board from 1965 to 1980. During World War II Graham was among the first women to join the RCAF and to receive a commission; her postings across Canada included No. 4 Service Flying Training School in Saskatoon. She retired as a Squadron Leader in 1945. Later she became first woman president of the Saskatchewan RCAF Association, and received the Order of Merit from the national RCAF. After a postwar stint as national supervisor of women's training with the federal Department of Labour, she returned to Saskatoon, again teaching and engaging in community service. Among her many awards was having a high school, a school library, and an air cadet division named after her. She was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1977. Graham died on April 23, 1995 in Saskatoon.

Ruth Wright Millar