Established in 1929, the Society has evolved to make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world.

Photo: David Barbour

As The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) marks its 75th anniversary this year, it is also marking another important milestone by appointing Gisèle Jacob as its first female president.

“My greatest challenge will be launching the Society into another 75 years,” says Jacob, a former public servant who has been a Society governor since 1994.

Now retired, Jacob held senior-management positions at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Environment Canada. She was also vicepresident of public affairs for The Mining Association of Canada and was appointed chair of the Geographical Names Board of Canada in 1999. Her work at the Society includes a six-year stint as vice-president, along with positions on the awards, lectures and géographica committees, among others.

She says geography is of interest to Canadians who want to know what’s happening both within and outside their borders, and she believes the work of the RCGS in explaining the country to its population is important.

“The Society has a vital role to play in promoting geographic education,” says Jacob, “and in helping Canadians of all ages understand their place in the world.”

Jacques Krzepkowski

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