Myra Ava Freeman (born May 17, 1949) is a Canadian philanthropist and teacher who served as the 29th and first female Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
Biography Freeman was born Myra Ava Holtzman in Saint John, New Brunswick, the daughter of Anne Golda (Freedman), a homemaker, and Harry Holtzman, a businessman. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. In 1971, she started teaching with the Halifax Regional School Board until her appointment.
She was appointed lieutenant governor in 2000 by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, on the advice of Jean Chrétien. She served as lieutenant governor until September 7, 2006.
Freeman and her husband, Larry, have three children: Daniel M. Freeman, Jonathan Freeman and Debra Freeman.
In her childhood, Freeman was a member of the Girl Guides of Canada, participating in Guiding youth programs.
Honours
Ribbon Description Notes Order of Canada (CM) Member 1 July 2008. Order of St John (D.StJ) 2000. Dame of Justice and Vice Prior Order of Nova Scotia (ONS) 2001. First Recipient and First Chancellor Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) 12 September 2013. Military Division Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002. Canadian version of this medal Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) 12 years as an Honorary Captain in the Royal Canadian Navy. 2015.
Honorary degrees Location Date School Degree 2004 Mount Saint Vincent University Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) May 2005 Cape Breton University Doctor of Laws (LL.D) 2007 Acadia University Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) May 2007 Saint Mary's University Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) 2008 St. Francis Xavier University Doctor of Laws (LL.D) May 2011 Dalhousie University Doctor of Laws (LL.D) https://www.dal.ca/academics/convocation/history_traditions/honorary_degree_recipients/hon_degree_2011/myra_freeman.html
Honorary military appointments 2003: Honorary Captain of Royal Canadian Navy Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic.
Arms
References Past Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia. Government of Nova Scotia. Accessed 2010-12-22.