Rosemary Brown, the first black woman in Canada elected to a provincial legislature, has died in Vancouver. She was 72.

The Jamaican-born New Democrat served as a member of the British Columbia legislature from 1972 until 1986.

In 1975, she became the first woman to run for the leadership of a federal political party in Canada. Ed Broadbent defeated Brown on the final ballot for the NDP leadership.

Dr. Rosemary Brown

In 1986, she left politics to become a professor of women's studies at Simon Fraser University.

Liberal Member of Parliament Hedy Fry says she looked up to Brown despite differing political ideologies.

"She was strong. She was intelligent. She was not afraid to deal with the difficult issues," Fry told CBC Radio on Sunday. "She always did so, however, with grace, charm, a terrific sense of humour and a passion for justice and equality."

Much of Brown's passion was directed at promoting justice and equality for women in B.C. and elsewhere in Canada.

Dawn Black, a former New Democrat MP, said Brown was a role model for other female politicians.

"I think Rosemary influenced all women who entered politics after her, and I think all women in B.C. have many thanks to give to Rosemary for starting the path to more fairness for women in British Columbia."

Brown was an officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of British Columbia.

She died of an apparent heart attack in her home early Saturday.