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2024 Cold War Speaker Series: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
September 12 @ 7:00 pm. – 8:30 pm.
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 1
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Live at the Diefenbunker
Cost: Free
Topic: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
Moderator: Karen McCrimmon, MPP Kanata—Carleton
Panelists:
>> Deanna (Dee) M. Brasseur, Major (retired) CM CD2
>> Senator Rebecca Patterson, Rear-Admiral (retired) OMM MSM CD
Details:
– Hosted in person at the Diefenbunker. Registration is required.
– Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
– Light fare and refreshments will be provided.
– Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
>> REGISTER NOW
Overview
The integration of women into Canada’s military forces was slow and marked by significant challenges during the Cold War, with the effects still visible today. In 2023, women made up only 16.5% of Canada’s military.
This panel discussion will feature servicewomen who entered the Canadian Forces during and following the Cold War, a tumultuous time within Canada’s military structure. Their insights and stories will explore the struggles and triumphs of women in Canada’s military, and what the future will hold with the hopes of increasing representation of women in the Canadian Armed Forces.
About the speakers
Karen McCrimmon (Moderator)
Karen A. McCrimmon is the member of provincial parliament (MPP) for Kanata—Carleton. She previously served as the Member of Parliament for Kanata—Carleton from 2015 to 2021. After a 31-year military career, Karen retired as a lieutenant colonel. She was the first female navigator and the first woman to command a Canadian Forces air force squadron.
Karen was born in Weston, Ontario and grew up in Timmins, and Windsor, Ontario. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor in Russian and linguistics, and originally wanted to work in Canada’s diplomatic corps. Karen joined the Regular Force in 1980 and became an air navigator, the first female to gain such a qualification. In 1995, she was made a member of the Order of Military Merit. She did a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004 where she was responsible for NATO Airlift Co-ordination. She retired from the Forces in 2006.
As a Member of Parliament, Karen served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation. She was also Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence.
Deanna (Dee) M. Brasseur (Panelist)
Dee Brasseur enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1972 as an Administrative Clerk. Commissioned in 1973 under the Officer Candidate Training Program as an Air Weapons controller. When the Canadian Forces announced a trial program in 1979 to employ women in the pilot career field, Dee volunteered and successfully graduated as one of the first three women to earn their wings in 1981.
She was the first woman jet pilot instructor assigned to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS), Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1981-85) and the first woman pilot to be awarded a Flight Commander position as the T-33 Flight Commander with Base Flight Cold Lake, Alberta (1986-88).
In 1988 Brasseur was one of the first two women pilots selected to train as jet fighter pilots. She progressed through 419 Squadron Basic Fighter Training on the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, and 410 Squadron Operational Training Unit to fly the CF-18 Hornet. She served as a line pilot and Squadron Plans Officer with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cold Lake, Alberta (1989-90). Major Brasseur was then assigned as the first woman Military Aircraft Accident Investigator, and became the Senior Staff Officer at the Department of National Defence Headquarters responsible for supervising all Canadian Forces Jet Trainers and Fighter Aircraft.
Recognized on several occasions, Dee was honoured to plant a Canadian Maple Tree in the 99’s International Forest of Friendship in 1998; inducted into Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2007; recognized by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation as a Canadian Pioneer in Aviation and officially recognized by the government for her contributions in Canadian aviation, she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in February 1999.
Rebecca Patterson (Panelist)
Rear-Admiral (Retired) The Honourable Rebecca Patterson, OMM MSM CD, is a 34-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran.
As a provider and executive health leader, she worked in military healthcare delivery, education, training, and operational and strategic planning, both at home and on international deployments. On promotion to Flag (General) Officer, she was the first person with a military nursing background ever to lead at that rank.
Senator Patterson has led in many different domains in the Canadian Armed Forces, from serving as the Defence Champion for Women, addressing sexual misconduct and leading culture change efforts in the Forces, to commanding Canada’s 14th health system, the Canadian Forces Health Service at the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. She has also been a strong advocate to transform the culture, eliminate harmful behaviour, and re-establish public trust in the Canadian military.
Senator Patterson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2014, and was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in 2018. She is also the recipient of numerous other honours and awards, including the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in Health Sciences for Ontario College Graduates, and the Niagara College Canada Distinguished Alumni Award.
The first military veteran who is a woman appointed to the Senate of Canada, Senator Patterson serves as Deputy Leader of the Canadian Senators Group, is a Member of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs and is Chair of the Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs. Senator Patterson provides a voice for those who serve, and have served, in the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. She is an active supporter of Canada’s role in NATO and serves on the Executive Committee of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, fostering parliamentarians’ understanding of the security issues and concerns of member nations. Senator Patterson lives in Ottawa with her family.
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