Grace McCarthy

Grace Mary McCarthy, O.C., M.L.A., F.R.A.I.C.; born in Vancouver, B.C. Oct. 14th, 1927. Shortly after high school graduation at 17 years of age, Grace opened her first flower shop in what would eventually grow to a five-store retail chain in the city of Vancouver. During her 31-year tenure as President of Grayce Florists Ltd. (1945-1975), Mrs. McCarthy founded Canada's first school of floral design, served as the first woman President of a Canadian Chamber of Commerce and joined the Florists' Telegraph Delivery Association where she was later appointed District Representative and Honorary Life Member.

Mrs. McCarthy continued to oversee her flower shops during her early years as a Member of the British Columbia Legislature but eventually sold the business in 1975 after she was appointed to Deputy Premier and named to two senior cabinet posts in the Government of British Columbia.

Mrs. McCarthy's record of service to her local community, her Province and her Country is outstanding and includes: involvement in British Columbia playing host to the world at Expo 86 and the development of the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre at Canada Place; 22 years as a member of the Provincial Legislature where she served under four Premiers and as a Cabinet Minister with several portfolios; and has participated at the executive level in numerous charitable and community organizations whereof she is a member. Some of these organizations include: The Variety Club; Timmy's Christmas Telethon; along with several hospitals, health groups and business promotion entities.

Mrs. McCarthy was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and is the recipient of numerous awards including: Award for Most Outstanding Contrib. in Assisting the Mentally Handicapped, B.C. Assn. of Retarded Children 1969; Service award, Outstanding Contrib. to B.C. Handicapped Citizens as Hon. Chief Marching Mother, Kinsmen's Mothers' 1972, 1973; Internat. Sales & Mktg. Extves. 1978, B.C. Chapter of the Am. Mktg. Assn. 1979; Pres. Award for Outstanding Contrib. to Tourism in Greater Victoria 1977; Heart Award, Variety Club Tent 47 1981 and Golden Heart Community Achievement Award (first woman recipient) 1992; Medal of Distinction, Internat. Assn. of Lions Club 1982; Canada's First Woman Barker, Variety Clubs Internat. 1982; Govt. of Canada Silver Medal 1982; Life Achievement Award, Vancouver A.M. Tourist Assn. 1993; and several others.