The Naval Museum of Alberta Society is paying tribute to a dedicated officer who broke barriers in her lifetime of service by renaming the Calgary museum in her honor. The newly christened Commodore Laraine Orthlieb Naval Training Centre, unveiled at HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary, celebrates the achievements of Commodore Laraine Orthlieb, the Royal Canadian Navy’s inaugural female flag officer.
Orthlieb, who first joined the navy as a nurse in 1959 before returning to serve with the naval reserve in 1974, boasts an impressive track record. Notably, she commanded the HMCS Tecumseh from 1983 to 1987, a tenure that led to her unit winning the Canadian Armed Forces Award for Best Naval Reserve Division in 1985. In 1989, she made history by becoming the first woman promoted to the rank of commodore in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Expressing her pride in the naval community, Orthlieb remarked, “It makes me so proud of all the people who contribute to the naval community, and to the navy, and the military, here in Calgary.” Being one of the museum’s founders since its establishment in 1988, having the building named after her is a great honor for Orthlieb. She finds joy in seeing the facility educate and inspire young individuals about serving their country.
Orthlieb faced obstacles in her journey as a woman in the navy during a time when such roles were discouraged. Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett, the national president of the Navy League of Canada, hailed Orthlieb as a trailblazer who paved the way for women to serve in key positions across the military. Bennett emphasized that Orthlieb’s accomplishments were ahead of her time, promoting gender equality and diversity in a predominantly male-oriented environment.
Recognizing Orthlieb’s mentorship during her time in the naval reserves, Bennett credited her with opening doors for women in the navy. Naming the building after Orthlieb is seen as a fitting tribute to her legacy of enabling women to succeed in the maritime sector. Orthlieb envisions the newly renamed Naval Training Centre to continue fostering education and inspiration for Canadians, reflecting her ongoing pride in the naval community and its contributions.
