Alexa McDonough completed an advanced degree in social work before being elected leader of the Nova Scotia NDP in 1980. She went on to became the fifth leader of the federal NDP in 1995. Here, then, is a timeline marking milestones in her life.

1944 - Born in Ottawa to millionaire Lloyd Shaw, an influential brick baron who helped set up the CCF party (frontrunner to the New Democrat Party) and to Jean MacKinnon. Raise and educated in Nova Scotia.

1965 - Graduates with Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University.

1967 - Earns Masters Degree from the Maritime School of Social Work.

1979 - McDonough runs as a federal candidate for the first time, doubling the percentage of the party's vote.

1980 - Elected leader of the Nova Scotia NDP, becoming the first woman in Canada to lead a major political party.

1981 - McDonough wins the party's first seat on the Nova Scotia mainland, re-elected in 1984, 1988 and 1993.

She became the lone New Democrat and sole woman in the House of Assembly. She made her impact on Nova Scotia politics, fighting for, and winning the first ban on extra billing in Canada, worker health and safety improvements, human rights protections and pay equity.

1988 - Her marriage of 20 years to Halifax lawyer Peter McDonough ends after the election that year. The couple has two sons: Justin and Travis.

1993 - McDonough almost quit politics before the 1993 election, as her father businessman Lloyd Shaw, becomes ill with Alzheimer's disease.

1994 - McDonough steps down from the Nova Scotia leadership to move into the federal arena.

1995 - Wins the federal leadership of the New Democrat Party, becoming the fifth leader in the party's relative new history, replacing Audrey McLaughlin

1997 - McDonough is elected member of Parliament for Halifax.

2000 - McDonough is re-elected member of Parliament for Halifax.

2002 - McDonough announces she will step aside as leader of the New Democrat Party.