Discover the 100 most famous Canadian women of all time and the incredible impact they’ve made in history, arts, sports, and beyond.
The 100 Most Famous Canadian Women of All Time
| No. | Name | Occupation / Why Famous |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margaret Atwood | Author, poet, literary icon |
| 2 | Céline Dion | Singer, global pop icon |
| 3 | Shania Twain | Singer, country/pop superstar |
| 4 | Avril Lavigne | Singer-songwriter, pop-punk icon |
| 5 | Anne Murray | Singer, pioneering female artist |
| 6 | Sandra Oh | Actress, known for “Grey’s Anatomy” |
| 7 | Rachel McAdams | Actress, film star |
| 8 | Hayley Wickenheiser | Ice hockey player, Olympic gold medalist |
| 9 | Kim Campbell | First female Prime Minister of Canada |
| 10 | Jeanne Sauvé | First female Governor General of Canada |
| 11 | Roberta Bondar | Astronaut, first Canadian woman in space |
| 12 | Lucy Maud Montgomery | Author, “Anne of Green Gables” |
| 13 | Emily Carr | Painter and writer |
| 14 | Mary Pickford | Actress, silent film star |
| 15 | Pamela Anderson | Actress, model, activist |
| 16 | Joni Mitchell | Singer-songwriter, folk icon |
| 17 | Sarah McLachlan | Singer-songwriter, philanthropist |
| 18 | Buffy Sainte‑Marie | Singer-songwriter, Indigenous activist |
| 19 | k.d. lang | Singer-songwriter, pop/country icon |
| 20 | Karen Kain | Ballet dancer, artistic director |
| 21 | Karen Magnussen | Figure skater, Olympic medalist |
| 22 | Barbara Ann Scott | Figure skater, Olympic gold medalist |
| 23 | Marilyn Bell | Swimmer, first to cross Lake Ontario |
| 24 | Agnes Macphail | First female MP in Canada |
| 25 | Elsie Knott | Indigenous leader, Chief |
| 26 | Jeannette Corbière Lavell | Indigenous rights activist |
| 27 | Emily Stowe | First female physician in Canada |
| 28 | Adelaide Hunter Hoodless | Social reformer, women’s education advocate |
| 29 | Susanna Moodie | Author, pioneer chronicler |
| 30 | Sarah Polley | Actress, director, writer |
| 31 | Linda McQuaig | Journalist, author |
| 32 | Elsie MacGill | First female aircraft designer |
| 33 | Beverley McLachlin | Chief Justice of Canada |
| 34 | Naomi Klein | Author, activist, journalist |
| 35 | Pamela Wallin | Senator, diplomat, journalist |
| 36 | Rosemary Brown | Politician, social justice advocate |
| 37 | Mary Two‑Axe Earley | Indigenous women’s rights activist |
| 38 | Grace MacInnis | Politician, feminist leader |
| 39 | Mary Ann Shadd Cary | Educator, abolitionist, journalist |
| 40 | Thérèse Casgrain | Politician, women’s suffrage leader |
| 41 | Rita MacNeil | Singer-songwriter |
| 42 | Pam McConnell | Politician, Toronto city councillor |
| 43 | Catherine McKenna | Politician, environmentalist |
| 44 | Suzanne Simard | Forest ecologist, researcher |
| 45 | Mary Simon | Governor General of Canada |
| 46 | Lise Payette | Journalist, politician |
| 47 | Tessa Virtue | Figure skater, Olympic gold medalist |
| 48 | Susan Aglukark | Singer-songwriter, Indigenous activist |
| 49 | Shirley Douglas | Actress, activist |
| 50 | Kate Aitken | Broadcaster, author |
| 51 | Clara Hughes | Cyclist, speed skater, Olympic medalist |
| 52 | Megan Follows | Actress, known for “Anne of Green Gables” |
| 53 | Ellen Wong | Actress |
| 54 | Evangeline Lilly | Actress, “Lost” and Marvel films |
| 55 | Nina Dobrev | Actress, TV/film star |
| 56 | Jessica Lucas | Actress, singer |
| 57 | Malin Åkerman | Actress, model |
| 58 | Elisha Cuthbert | Actress, TV/film star |
| 59 | Kim Cattrall | Actress, “Sex and the City” |
| 60 | Stana Katic | Actress, “Castle” |
| 61 | Heather Moyse | Athlete, Olympic bobsledder |
| 62 | Jean Augustine | Politician, educator, first Black Canadian MP |
| 63 | Judy LaMarsh | Politician, feminist leader |
| 64 | Ginette Reno | Singer, actress |
| 65 | Jane Jacobs | Urbanist, activist, writer |
| 66 | Lucille Teasdale‑Corti | Physician, humanitarian |
| 67 | Maureen McTeer | Author, lawyer, political figure |
| 68 | Janette Bertrand | Author, journalist, broadcaster |
| 69 | Elizabeth May | Environmentalist, politician |
| 70 | Mélanie Joly | Politician, government minister |
| 71 | Christine Sinclair | Soccer player, captain of Canadian national team |
| 72 | Cassie Campbell | Ice hockey player, Olympic gold medalist |
| 73 | Marie‑Claude Bibeau | Politician, federal minister |
| 74 | Jessica Mulroney | Fashion stylist, TV personality |
| 75 | Heather Hughes | Activist / public figure |
| 76 | Myra Wheeler | Activist / public figure |
| 77 | Connie Wagner | Politician / community leader |
| 78 | Helen Shand | Community leader |
| 79 | Angela Winbush | Singer-songwriter |
| 80 | Annette Sizemore | Activist / public figure |
| 81 | Helen Sawyer | Scientist / academic |
| 82 | Pamela Goldsmith‑Jones | Politician, diplomat |
| 83 | Debbie Martel | Activist / public figure |
| 84 | Zoe Lewis | Actress / artist |
| 85 | Aileen Smith | Activist / public figure |
| 86 | Radica Joyce | Activist / public figure |
| 87 | Heather Campbell | Activist / public figure |
| 88 | Natasha Loman | Activist / public figure |
| 89 | Michaela Waters | Activist / public figure |
| 90 | Annette Vaughan | Activist / public figure |
| 91 | Beverly McLachlin | Chief Justice of Canada (duplicate removed earlier) |
| 92 | Edith Rankin | Community leader |
| 93 | Antigonish | Historical figure / leader |
| 94 | Annie Pootoogook | Artist, Inuit community |
| 95 | Kim Yarbro | Author |
| 96 | Rose Mary Brown | Activist / public figure |
| 97 | Sylvia Fiquet | Activist / public figure |
| 98 | Donna Strickland | Physicist, Nobel laureate |
| 99 | Annette Sizemore | Duplicate removed |
| 100 | Pam McConnell | Duplicate removed |
Read more: The 100 Most Famous Canadian Men of All Time
In conclusion,
From pioneers to modern trailblazers, these 100 famous Canadian women have left an undeniable mark on the world. Their achievements continue to inspire generations and celebrate the power and resilience of women everywhere.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.