Governor General Michaelle Jean on Parliament Hill in OttawaAdrian Wyld
Haitian native Michaëlle Jean immigrated to Canada with her family, fleeing the dictatorship of then-Haitian president Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier, when she was 11 years old. Ms. Jean went on to study languages and culture internationally, and after her career as a prominent broadcast journalist with Radio-Canada, was appointed Governor General of Canada in 2005. A social activist and champion of women's rights, Ms. Jean is an inspiration for women, new Canadians, and for all Canadian citizens.
Nominator: Rachel Trudeau, Sudbury, Ont.