Born in England to a well-off family, Irene Parlby never planned to be a politician. She immigrated to Alberta and with her husband became a homesteader. Her efforts to help improve the lives of rural Alberta women and children led her into the United Farm Women of Alberta, where she became president. From there she was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and became the first woman cabinet minister in Alberta. Irene Parlby was also one of the "Famous Five" Alberta women who fought and won the political and legal battle in the Persons Case to have women recognized as persons under the BNA Act.
For most of her career Irene Parlby worked to improve the rights and welfare of rural women and children, including improving their health and education.
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