The 3rd Annual Zoomer List: Canada’s Top 45 Over 45: Alison Redford

It came down to a battle of the women, not the sexes this spring, as Redford took on Danielle Smith of the Wildrose Alliance Party, which polls and pundits predicted to triumph over the Conservatives and their 40-year rule in the province. Redford, a human rights and constitutional reform lawyer whose 30-year career in politics includes policy adviser to former Prime Minister Joe Clark and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Alberta, prevailed over Smith on election night – with a majority government no less  – to become the first female premier of Alberta. In her acceptance speech she spoke of her mother who passed away 4 days prior to her win: “I’m proud of my mom … She got me involved in politics 30 years ago. She’s a big part of the reason I’m here, and I’m thinking about her tonight.”