FLORA MacDONALD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED CIRCA 1984 - HFSID 221341

FLORA MACDONALD
The Canadian politician sends letter of thanks to an admirer and promises to send pictures when she receives new ones, signs name in black ink
Typed letter signed: "Flora MacDonald" in black ink. 1 page, 8½x11. Written on official Minister of Employment and Immigration letterhead. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. December 7, 1984. Address to Mr. John Buchanan of Oakdale Junior High School in Downsview, Ontario. In full: "Thank you so very much for your kind words of congratulations on my re-election and appointment to Prime Minister Mulroney's Cabinet. As the new Minister of Employment and Immigration, I look forward with great enthusiasm to tackling the exciting challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead. Particularly in these times of high unemployment, I know my portfolio will be an important one, and I am eager to confront the issues in an atmosphere of change and growth for Canadians. I appreciate your request for several autographed pictures, and I will be pleased to send them to you. I do not have any pictures at the moment but I am expecting to receive them shortly and I will send you several as soon as I do. I am deeply grateful for your support and encouragement. Yours sincerely". Flora MacDonald (b. 1926) is a Canadian politician who served many important posts in government, often becoming the first woman to attain those positions. She worked in administration for the Progressive Conservative Party and as secretary in office for Prime Minister John Diefenbaker for several years before joining electoral politics. MacDonald was elected into the House of Commons, remaining there for sixteen years before her defeat in 1988. She came to notice when at the 1976 PC leadership convention she became the first woman to mount a serious campaign to lead the party; however, she won only 214 votes of her promised 300 votes in what was to be called the "Flora Syndrome" which is the phenomenon of a female politician's promised support failing to materialize. She would go on to serve in the Cabinet as the first female Secretary of State for External Affairs, Minister of Employment and Immigration, and Minister of Communications. MacDonald has since devoted her time to international humanitarian work, serving as President of the World Federalist Movement. Normal mailing folds. Ink smudges throughout. Corners rounded. Light surface creases. Otherwise, fine condition.