Winnipeg in Focus is a database for archival descriptions and digital collections at the City of Winnipeg Archives.

Fonds f00037 - Susan A. Thompson

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Susan A. Thompson

General material designation

  • Multiple media

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

f00037

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

Physical description area

Physical description

Mixed Media

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1947-)

Biographical history

Susan A. Thompson was the 40th mayor and first woman mayor of the City of Winnipeg. She was born in Winnipeg on 12 April 1947. Spending most of her youth in the city, she graduated from the University of Winnipeg Collegiate in 1967 and earned her BA from the same university in 1971.

Embarking on a successful career in retail, Thompson worked for Eaton’s and the Hudson’s Bay Company in Winnipeg, Calgary, and Montreal. Called home in 1980 after her father’s illness, she bought the family business Birt Saddlery, a long standing and well known local business, and embarked on a successful career as an independent businesswoman. In that capacity, she worked hard to break many barriers for women in business, eventually becoming active in a number of business organizations such as Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1992, Thompson threw her hat in the mayoral ring, winning the election in October of that year. She won a second term in 1995 and was instrumental in guiding forces in the fight against the Flood of the Century in 1997. Thompson did not seek a third term in 1998. Instead, in 1999, she was appointed as the Counsul General for Canada in Minnesota, the first woman to hold that position since it was instituted 30 years earlier. During her tenure as the Counsul General, Thompson actively promoted Canadian business and political interests with our southern neighbours.

Returning to Winnipeg in 2003, Thompson became the first and founding President and CEO of the University of Winnipeg Foundation, a position she held until 2011. The University of Winnipeg Foundation serves the University of Winnipeg in the areas of Students scholarships and bursaries, Capital projects, and academic enhancements.

Custodial history

Records were donated to the City of Winnipeg Archives by Susan A. Thompson.

Scope and content

Fonds consists of textual records, photograph albums, framed memorabilia, and artifacts. The materials have been organized into five distinct series based on Thompson’s adult life:

Series 1: Entrepreneur (1977-1991)
Series 2: Politician (1992-1998)
Series 3: Diplomat (1998-2002)
Series 4: Legacy Builder (2002-2011)
Series 5: Prime Time (2011–present)

Notes area

Physical condition

Records are in good condition.

Immediate source of acquisition

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Location of originals

Availability of other formats

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Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

File lists are available.

Associated materials

Related materials

Accruals

Acquisitions held by the archives will be added to this collection. Further accruals are expected.

Alternative identifier(s)

Legacy Identifier

F0037

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Standard number

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Description record identifier

Institution identifier

COWA

Rules or conventions

Status

Level of detail

Partial

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

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Script of description

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