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She became active in campaigning for Scottish independence through her membership of the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association, and came to prominence in 1967 when she won the Hamilton by-election as the Scottish National Party (SNP)candidate. A practicing solicitor at the time of her election, she proved to be a sound choice as her eloquence and ability bolstered a hard fought SNP campaign and saw her through to victory.
She famously said at the time of her election, 'stop the world, Scotland wants to get on', and her presence at Westminster proved to be a real focus for the SNP with a significant rise in membership being the result. Furthermore, many political commentators speculate that it was as a result of her victory that the then Labour Government established the Kilbrandon Commission to look into the establishment of a devolved Scottish Assembly.
Despite her high profile she was unsuccessful in retaining the Hamilton seat at the 1970 General Election, but she managed to be re-elected to Westminster at the February 1974 Election. She remained a MP until 1979 when she became a MEP.
It was during her time as a MEP that she acquired the nickname Madame Ecosse (French for Mrs Scotland). The term was meant to be given in jest and used in a disparaging way by her opponents, but Ewing used the term as a badge of pride and it stuck.
In 1999 she gave up being a MEP and became a MSP in the first session of the Scottish Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands. As the oldest member it was her duty to preside over the opening of the Scottish Parliament, a session she opened with the famous words, 'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25 th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened'.
In 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U she lost her husband, Stewart Ewing in a fire accident. He had been active with her in politics for many years, and had himself served as a SNP councillor for the SummerstonSummerston is a residential area of Glasgow, Scotland. Located in the North-West of the city it is part of the Maryhill district of the city. The area firstly grew as a council housing scheme in the 1970s but latterly there has been a number of private ho area in GlasgowFor other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, located on the River Clyde in West Central Scotland. It is also one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, officially known as the City of Glasgow and, like many west of S. The same year she lost her husband she stood down from being a MSP, although she continues to serve as the SNP's President, a position she has held for many years.
Her son Fergus EwingFergus Ewing born September 23, 1957 is a Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP. He is the son of veteran Scottish Nationalist Winnie Ewing (his father was also a SNP councillor) and has long been active in the SNP. He studied law at the University of Glasgow and his wife Margaret EwingMargaret Ewing is a Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP. Born on September 1 1945, she attended the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde and was a teacher before becoming an MP at the February 1974 Election. With the downturn in SNP elect both serve as SNP MSPs, whilst her daughter Annabelle EwingAnnabelle Ewing (born 20 August 1960) is a Scottish politician, and Scottish National Party member of Parliament for Perth. She attended Craigholme School in Glasgow and Glasgow University, where she graduated with a law degree. Before becoming an MP, Ann is a SNP MP.