Lieutenant-Commander Adelaide Sinclair

The first woman to hold the rank of naval captain.

Adelaide Helen Grant Sinclair was born in 1900. In the early 1920’s, Sinclair earned degrees in political science and economics and later worked as Chairman of the Women’s Salvage Committee.

In 1943, she joined the WRCNS, the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service. A year later, she was appointed Director and temporary Commander. This appointment was monumental, making Sinclair the first Canadian woman to earn the rank of Captain. In 1945, Sinclair received the Order of the British Empire for her “untiring zeal and outstanding ability, tact and judgement in organizing the WRCNS into a most efficient and well-disciplined unit.”

After the war, she joined the newly established United Nations’ International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as a Canadian delegate. She advanced quickly, becoming UNICEF’s deputy director for programs, holding the position for nearly a decade.

In 1967, Sinclair received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canada as former director of the WRCNS and as deputy director of UNICEF.

More information:

• Valour Canada - Adelaide Sinclair
• Adelaide Sinclair: WRCNS director dedicated her life to public service