Clarenville's First Female Mayor

As our town celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2026, we remember pioneers who changed the game—especially in politics and gender equality. Dorothy "Blackie" Drover was one of them.

Born in Seldom, Fogo Island, in 1919, Dorothy and her husband, Harry, moved to Clarenville in 1952, where they bought and renovated the Balmoral Lodge, the town’s main hotel. Their five years of running the lodge saw them become deeply involved in the community. In the fall of 1957, both decided to run for Town Council and were elected in a truly landmark vote.

This election was significant for two reasons: Dorothy was the first woman ever elected to municipal leadership in Newfoundland and Labrador, and it was the first time a husband and wife were elected to the same council simultaneously.
But the story didn't end there. Dorothy Drover topped the polls, receiving the highest number of votes. By law and tradition, the new council should have offered her the title of Mayor. They didn’t.

At the first council meeting on November 22, 1957, Dorothy was passed over for the mayoral role, which went instead to former Mayor Boyce Smith. Harry Drover was elected Deputy Mayor. While Dorothy didn't openly protest, her supporters did. They organized a petition and demonstrated, leading to the resignation of Mayor Smith and several other councillors. With the council in crisis, Deputy Mayor Harry Drover assumed the mayoral role. In a dramatic move, he then vacated his own seat and appointed his wife, Dorothy, as Mayor.

This unconventional move immediately drew the attention of the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs, who, citing a lack of quorum and issues with the nomination process, abolished the entire council and declared the election null and void. The Minister appointed a temporary council, notably excluding Dorothy and Harry Drover. A new election was called, and this time, neither of the trailblazing Drovers chose to run.

Though this incident was controversial, Dorothy’s experience starkly highlighted women’s challenges in political life and the urgent need for gender equality. She paved the way, helping inspire countless female political leaders across the province and the country.

Source: https://www.paultilley.ca