Margaret Southern
Encyclopedia
Margaret E. Southern, CC
, LVO
, AOE
(born Margaret Visser on 26 February 1931) is a Canadian
businessperson, noted as a co-founder of the Spruce Meadows
equestrian park near Calgary
.
Born in High River, Alberta
, she graduated from the University of Alberta
with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree in 1953. She joined the University of Calgary in her early career, becoming the first female physical education instructor on that campus.
She is married to ATCO
chair Ron Southern
. The Southerns opened Spruce Meadows in 1975, a facility that remains an international-grade equestrian sports facility today.
In 1988, she was honoured with her home province's highest civilian award, the Alberta Order of Excellence
, after becoming a member of the Order of Canada
the previous year. Within the Order of Canada she was promoted to Officer level in October 1993 and Companion in December 2007 for having "demonstrated passionate leadership and commitment to sport as a professional and volunteer".
Southern has also participated on various business, community and non-profit boards during her career.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, LVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, AOE
Alberta Order of Excellence
The Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
(born Margaret Visser on 26 February 1931) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessperson, noted as a co-founder of the Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows is an equestrian facility in Calgary, Alberta built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex is in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains just south of the city and comprises...
equestrian park near Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
.
Born in High River, Alberta
High River, Alberta
High River is a town in southwestern Alberta, Canada with a population of 10,716. It is south of the city of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23...
, she graduated from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree in 1953. She joined the University of Calgary in her early career, becoming the first female physical education instructor on that campus.
She is married to ATCO
ATCO
ATCO Ltd. is an Alberta based corporation with more than 7,000 employees operating across three main business divisions: Power Generation; Utilities and Global Enterprises, with companies active in industrial manufacturing, technology, logistics and energy services.ATCO Ltd...
chair Ron Southern
Ron Southern
Ronald D. Southern, CC, CBE is a Canadian businessman. He is chairman of Calgary-based ATCO Ltd. and is also the founder of the Spruce Meadows equestrian center....
. The Southerns opened Spruce Meadows in 1975, a facility that remains an international-grade equestrian sports facility today.
In 1988, she was honoured with her home province's highest civilian award, the Alberta Order of Excellence
Alberta Order of Excellence
The Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
, after becoming a member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
the previous year. Within the Order of Canada she was promoted to Officer level in October 1993 and Companion in December 2007 for having "demonstrated passionate leadership and commitment to sport as a professional and volunteer".
Southern has also participated on various business, community and non-profit boards during her career.