Alexa McDonough, the first woman to lead a federal party which had seats in the House of Commons, passed away Saturday in Halifax.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said this in the statement in the wake of Alexa McDonough’s death, ” A social worker by training, Ms. McDonough led the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party from 1980 to 1994, and the federal New Democratic Party from 1995 to 2003. Throughout her career, she was a trailblazer for women in politics and an inclusive voice for progressive change in Canadian politics. In the House of Commons, Ms. McDonough was a strong advocate for gender equality, support for marginalized people, and a more compassionate government.”

Alexa McDonough received numerous honours over the course of her lifetime, including the Order of Canada in 2009, the Order of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and several honorary