Wilson, Bertha (1923–)

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Wilson, Bertha (1923–)

Canadian jurist. Born Sept 18, 1923, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland; dau. of Archibald Wernham and Christina Noble; University of Aberdeen, MA, 1944; Dalhousie University, LLB, 1957; m. Rev. John Wilson, Dec 1945.

Immigrated to Canada (1949); called to the bar of Nova Scotia (1957), then Ontario (1959); worked at Toronto law firm, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, for 16 years; became the 1st woman appointed to the Ontario Appeal Court (1975); appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada (Mar 4, 1982), the 1st woman to sit on the highest court; wrote many major decisions, including the decision to strike down the criminal law on abortion; retired from the court (Jan 4, 1991).

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Wilson, Bertha (1923–)

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