The Quick Answer
Eight women who shaped St. Albert: Sister Alphonse, the mission's first teacher; Lois Hole, Alberta's 15th Lieutenant Governor; Anita Ratchinsky, the city's first woman mayor; Cathy Heron, mayor from 2017 to 2025; Carol Watamaniuk, the city's first cultural director; Mary O'Neill, St. Albert's MLA from 1997 to 2004; Ireen Slater, founder of the SAiF Society; and Erin McLeod, Olympic medal-winning goalkeeper.
I'm John Carle, a REALTOR with Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited, and I've been selling homes in St. Albert since 1999. I've rewritten this list after checking every name against public records. A few people from my original version came out because I couldn't confirm their St. Albert stories.
On this page
Who was Sister Alphonse?
A Grey Nun who arrived at Lac Ste. Anne in 1859, moved to St. Albert in 1863 and became the mission's first teacher. Sister Alphonse Academy carries her name.
Who was Lois Hole?
A St. Albert market gardener and gardening author who became Alberta's 15th Lieutenant Governor in 2000 and served until her death in 2005. Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park at Big Lake is named for her.
Who is Anita Ratchinsky?
St. Albert's first, and so far only, woman mayor, from 1989 to 1998. The clock tower, parks, trails and farmers' market all grew during her time in office.
Who is Cathy Heron?
A city councillor from 2010 and mayor from 2017 to 2025. She was also president of Alberta Municipalities from 2021 to 2023.
Who is Carol Watamaniuk?
A St. Albert city councillor for 12 years and the city's first cultural director. She's recognized on the City's Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Wall of Fame for helping build arts programs, children's theatre and public art here.
Who is Mary O'Neill?
St. Albert's Progressive Conservative MLA from 1997 to 2004. She won her first election by just 16 votes.
Who is Ireen Slater?
The founder of the St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families (SAiF) Society. She chaired the working group that became SAiF, which incorporated in 1989 and still offers counselling and family violence support today.
Who is Erin McLeod?
A goalkeeper born in St. Albert who played for Canada at several Women's World Cups. She won Olympic bronze at London 2012 and was part of the team that won gold at the Tokyo Games.
Key takeaways
- St. Albert's story includes a teacher, a Lieutenant Governor, two mayors, an arts builder, an MLA, a social services founder and an Olympian.
- Every entry here is checked against a public source, listed below.
Got a name you think belongs on this list? Send it my way. I'd love to hear it.
Just Call John. 780-937-7534
Sources
- Sister Alphonse Academy, Our Namesake: https://www.saa.gsacrd.ab.ca/about/our-namesake
- Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Hon. Lois Hole: https://lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/history/biographies/hon-lois-hole-15th-lieutenant-governor-of-alberta/
- T8N Magazine, St. Albert's Mayors: https://www.t8nmagazine.com/st-alberts-mayors/
- Alberta Municipalities, Board Member Profile: Cathy Heron: https://www.abmunis.ca/news/board-member-profile-cathy-heron
- City of St. Albert, Wall of Fame: Carol Watamaniuk: https://stalbert.ca/exp/arts-culture/mayors-celebration/wall-of-fame/carol-watamaniuk/
- T8N Magazine, St. Albert's MLAs: https://www.t8nmagazine.com/st-alberts-mlas/
- St. Albert Gazette directory, St. Albert SAiF Society: https://www.stalbertgazette.com/directory/community-organizations/st-albert-saif-stop-abuse-in-families-society-13440
- Team Canada (Canadian Olympic Committee), Erin McLeod: https://olympic.ca/team-canada/erin-mcleod/