More than fifty years after most Canadian women received the right to vote, very few women were elected as members of Parliament and none came from Quebec. Canada's 1972 federal election marked a refreshing transition. Twice as many female candidates ran for office than in the previous election, and, of the five women elected to the House of Commons that year, three Liberal Party candidates – Monique Bégin, Albanie Morin, and Jeanne Sauvé – shared the honour of being the first Quebec women MPs. In this riveting memoir of a trailblazing female politician, Monique Bégin tells the story of her journey into politics and beyond. Born in Italy, Bégin spent her childhood in France and Portugal before arriving in Montreal as a refugee of the Second World War. In 1967, she was swept into the world of politics when she became executive secretary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. Inspired by Pierre Trudeau, she then ran for the House of Commons and served in various cabinet positions, ultimately spearheading the landmark Canada Health Act before retiring to pursue a career in academia. Offering a revealing glimpse into the pervading sexism of Canadian public life, Ladies, Upstairs! details the experiences of a feisty, candid outsider who, through sheer fortitude, intelligence, and hard work, became minister of health and welfare, a university dean, a sought-after member for commissions of inquiry, and an international expert on public health. The voice of a woman in a male world, a francophone among anglophones, and a skeptical politician, Ladies, Upstairs! provides a fascinating account of one of Canada's most impressive federal ministers and her discoveries through the decades.

Monique Bégin is professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa.

Monique Bégin's profile page

"Monique Bégin tells a heroic story of great accomplishment and occasional self-reflection. Rife with name-dropping, settling old scores, and rewarding friends, Ladies, Upstairs! My Life in Politics and After is a mine and a minefield for activists, politicians and scholars. Ultimately, Bégin paints a picture of a life lived with flaws but also one lived with courage and determination." Herizons

"The book shines when Bégin shifts to an analysis of how women had to navigate politics and academia in an era where there were few female role models to follow. Her comments on academia and the role of these commissions are important contributions to understanding the continued barriers faced by women worldwide." Quill & Quire

"Bégin was a major player in a period that marked the beginning of a long journey to make Canadian politics, public life, universities, and commissions deal with the two major revolutions of the twentieth century - feminism and decolonization. Her ability to choose allies, make friends, and help establish women’s health as an important area of research and teaching is not a small accomplishment. Her story will be read by many people - Canadian citizens interested in politics, students interested in a whole range of questions around the role of women in society, and citizens interested in having more women in politics." Caroline Andrew, Centre on Governance, University of Ottawa