Marlene Jennings

Marlene Jennings PC is a Canadian politician. She served in the House of Commons of Canada, representing the riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Lachine from 1997 to 2011. Jennings was born in Longueuil, Quebec. A lawyer and senior public servant, she was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General. From 2004 to October 2005, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, with a particular focus on Canada-U.S. relations. Jennings was the first Black woman from Quebec to be elected to Parliament. She was also one of the few parliamentarians to serve with a physical disability, having become partially blind in 2010. She used visual aids and a white cane until the end of her term in 2011. More than seven surgeries successfully restored her sight. She was also a member of the Girl Guides of Canada.