Canadian Women: ANNE

 Today's post celebrates Canadian women named ANNE (Ann, Ana, Anya, Annabelle, Annie, etc.)

ANN comes from French Anne, from Late Latin Anna, referring to St. Anne, mother of Mary, and Anna the Prophetess in the Vulgate. From Greek Ἄννα (Ánna), from Hebrew חַנָּה (Ḥannâ, “grace”). Occasionally reborrowed from other languages. Doublet of Ann, Ana, Anna, and Hannah.

Here is a selection of Canadian women named ANNE (and variations) who have made a variety of significant contributions to Canadian life: 

ANNE of GREEN GABLES (fictional, but internationally influential).

Anne Shirley (Actress playing her)
Creative Commons Image

Though fictional, Anne Shirley from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel has had a profound cultural impact on Canadian identity and tourism, especially in Prince Edward Island.

First published: 1908

Adapted repeatedly for film and television (most recently Anne with an E, 2017–2019)

Writers

ANNE HEBERT(1916–2000)

Anne Hebert (Creative Commons Image)

A groundbreaking Québécoise author and poet, Hébert was one of the most influential figures in French Canadian literature. Her novel Kamouraska is a feminist classic, and she was the first woman to win the Governor General’s Award for both poetry and fiction.

ANN-MARIE MACDONALD (b. 1958)

Ann-Marie MacDonald
 (Creative Commons Image)

Playwright, novelist, and broadcaster, MacDonald is best known for Fall on Your Knees, an award-winning novel that was selected for Oprah’s Book Club. She's also a prominent voice in Canadian theatre and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Artists

ANNE MURRAY (born 1945)

Anne Murray, Creative Commons Image

A beloved Canadian singer whose 1970 hit “Snowbird” made her the first Canadian female solo artist to reach No. 1 on U.S. charts and win a Grammy Award.

Active music career: late 1960s–2008

ANNA PAQUIN (born 1982)

Anne Pequin, Creative Commons Image

Born in Manitoba, she became the second-youngest Oscar winner in history for The Piano (1993) at age 11, later starring in True Blood and the X-Men franchise.

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress: 1994

ANN SOUTHAM (1937–2010)

A pioneering Canadian composer known for her minimalist and electronic music, and a strong supporter of women in the arts.

Composer-in-residence at Toronto Dance Theatre: 1968–1975

ANN NEWDIGATE (b. 1934)

Ann Newdigate, Creative Commons Photo

A South Africa-born Canadian textile artist known for her narrative tapestries. Her work explores themes of identity, politics, and feminism, and is featured in major collections across Canada

Scientists and Innovators

ANNE INNIS DAGG (b. 1933)

Anne Innis Dagg, (Creative Commons Image)

A trailblazing zoologist and feminist, Dagg (born in Toronto) was the first Western researcher to study giraffes in the wild in Africa—preceding Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey. Despite facing sexism in academia, she became an icon of scientific persistence.

ANNETTE VERSCHUREN (b. 1957)

Annette Verschuren,
Creative Commons Image

A Canadian business leader and innovator in the green economy, she was president of Home Depot Canada and later founded NRStor, a company advancing clean energy technologies.

ANN MAKOSINSKI (b. 1997)

Ann Makosinski,
Creative Commons Image

A young inventor from British Columbia who created the Hollow Flashlight, powered by body heat. She was named one of TIME’s 30 Under 30 and has inspired a generation of girls in STEM.

Watch this interesting interview with Ann Makosinski (above)

ANA SERRANO (b. 1983) –

A leader in digital media innovation, Serrano was the Chief Digital Officer at the Canadian Film Centre and is now President of OCAD University, driving creative tech education. She is the first Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour President and Vice Chancellor at OCAD.

Politicians

ANNE MCLELLEN (b. 1950)

Anne McLellen,
Creative Commons Image

Served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and held key portfolios including Health, Justice, and Public Safety. A strong federalist voice from Alberta, she was influential in shaping early 2000s policy on healthcare and justice.

ANN HANSON (b. 1946)

Ann Hanson Nunatsiaq.com

The first woman mayor of Whitehorse, Yukon (1991–1994), and later Commissioner of Yukon. She was a powerful advocate for northern Indigenous communities and sustainable development.

Athletes

ANN PEEL (b. 1961)

A Canadian racewalker who earned medals at the Commonwealth Games and World Indoor Championships. She became an advocate for athlete rights and mental health awareness in sports.

ANNIE PELLETIER (b. 1973)

Olympic bronze medalist in diving at the 1996 Atlanta Games, Pelletier later became a sports broadcaster and role model for women in athletics.

*The above images marked "Creative Commons" are further described on the Wikipedia page for the connected personage.

Am I missing a noteworthy Canadian named Anne? Let me know in the comments below and I will possibly add her in. Please feel free to tell us about your favorite Canadian Anne(s) in the comments (maybe your mom or teacher or ??).

Also check out:

Canadian Women Named Margaret