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Women's History Month 2011

Biography of Josée Kurtz

Photo of Josée Kurtz
Photo credit: National Defence.

Name: Josée Kurtz 
Role: Naval commander
Canadian Military Contribution: First woman to command a major warship in the Canadian Forces

Josée Kurtz joined the Canadian Forces in 1988, at a time when the idea of a woman commanding a warship was unheard of. In 2009, she took command of the HMCS Halifax, becoming the first woman to command a major warship in the Canadian Forces.

Josée specialized in navigation. From 1994 to 1996, Josée taught at the Naval Officer Training Centre. She was head of the Navigation Department there from 2000 to 2002.

In 2007, Josée became executive officer of HMCS Ville de Québec, which provided anti-piracy protection while escorting food aid being delivered to Somalia.

Josée holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa (2005), and a master’s degree in defence studies from the Royal Military College of Canada (2007). She also graduated from the joint command and staff program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. Josée was born in Joliette, Quebec . She lives in Halifax.

Women's History Month - Women and Canada's Military: A Proud Legacy

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Date Modified:
2011-10-03