Essex County's first female warden honoured as her term winds down
Essex County's first female warden has been honoured as her term winds down. Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald won the chair in Nov. 2022, the first woman since 1853, the County said. The 2026 Warden's Banquet was Nov. 5 at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh.
Topics: CommunityCouncil and City Hall
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Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald was elected Warden of Essex County on Nov. 23, 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position since it was established in 1853, according to a County of Essex news release published the next day. CTV News Windsor reported the same first-woman milestone when it covered the end-of-term honour on Nov. 5, 2026.
The County of Essex scheduled its 2026 Warden's Banquet for Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at the Ciociaro Club, 3745 N Talbot Road in Tecumseh, in recognition of Warden MacDonald's term and service. Tickets were listed at $125 plus HST, with a purchase deadline of Oct. 15, 2026.
MacDonald was elected Mayor of Leamington in 2018 and again in 2022, after earlier terms as deputy mayor and councillor, the County said.
What it means for you
The warden is chosen by County Council from among its members. MacDonald's term as the County's first female warden closes with this council cycle.
Sources: County of Essex, County Council Elects Hilda MacDonald as Essex County Warden ( County of Essex, Warden's Banquet to Honour Hilda MacDonald ( CTV News Windsor, Nov. 5, 2026 (
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