Maureen Irwin

Maureen Estella Ruth Irwin (October 7, 1934 – July 30, 2002) was a lesbian activist in Edmonton, Alberta who advocated for Edmonton's 2SLGBTQ+ community. Irwin was actively involved with many organizations throughout her life including the Girl Guides of Canada, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA), Womonspace, Common Woman Books, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Edmonton Board of Health, and the Edmonton chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Life and career

Maureen Irwin was born on October 7, 1934, in Windsor, Ontario, to Estella and William Irwin. She joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953 and was stationed near Montreal. Irwin met James Ronald Warren in 1955, marrying soon after in 1956.

After leaving the Edmonton Journal, Irwin began working at the Boyle Street Co-op, now known as Boyle Street Community Services, finding housing for Edmonton's inner city residents. After McInnes' death, Irwin moved to Calgary, Alberta to live closer to her grandchildren and two sons. motivated Irwin to become a "gay and lesbian activist". for over a decade. GALA also organized various Edmonton Pride activities. In 1991, Irwin worked together with Michael Phair and others as part of their GALA duties to host the first Pride parade in Edmonton. Irwin and McInnes also spoke at a 1996 meeting in Edmonton, dubbed 'Alberta Through the Eyes of Women', to leverage Canada's signature on the Beijing Declaration to improve the lives of women in Alberta.

Throughout her life, Irwin also spent time volunteering for the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Edmonton Board of Health, and the Edmonton chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Awards In an interview for Womonspace News, Irwin noted that she felt the most meaningful award she received in her life was the Silver Thank You Badge from the Girl Guides of Canada as "it can only be given by people you work with in Guides". Edmonton's first openly gay city councillor, Michael Phair, was one of the people to nominate Irwin for the award. She was also nominated for the YWCA Tribute to Women Award (Public Affairs and Communications) for her work with the gay community in Edmonton.

At the 1993 Gay and Lesbian Pride event in Edmonton, the Maureen Irwin Pride Award was created in honour of Irwin's contributions to the community. Patricia Warren, Irwin's daughter, presented her mother with the inaugural Maureen Irwin Award for Community Service.

Death and legacy On July 30, 2002, Maureen Irwin in died in Calgary, Alberta after a battle with abdominal cancer. She left behind her children, grandchildren, and friends.