Young Girl Makes Political History

Roisin Hartnett is only 13, but she’s already made her mark in history. She has become the first page who is blind to serve in Ontario’s legislature.

The highly competitive page program is offered to above-average students in Grades 7 and 8. Pages deliver mail at the legislature, or bring documents to the politicians during the daily question period. When Roisin applied to the program she didn’t expect to be accepted. But the bright student figured she’d try anyway. And she got in.

It took just an hour for Roisin to memorize the names and seating arrangements of all 103 politicians so that she could deliver bills and notes to the correct seats during question period. She also needed to learn her way around the building.

“She did a great job and we’re all very proud of her,” Speaker Gary Carr told The Toronto Star. “And, of course, Penny is doing a great job as well.”

He was referring to Roisin’s guide dog, who mostly dozes during question period.

Roisin, who lives in Oakville, Ontario, is undecided as to whether or not she’d like a career in politics herself one day. But she values the experience and enjoys meeting the politicians.