Social justice advocate Brenda Murphy has been named New Brunswick's new lieutenant-governor.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced her appointment on Thursday.

Murphy, 60, of Grand Bay-Westfield, spent more than two decades as the head of the Saint John Women's Empowerment Network and has served on advisory councils on poverty and the status of women at the federal and provincial levels.

"Ms. Murphy has decades of experience advancing gender equality and helping to lift people out of poverty," Trudeau said in a statement.

"I know she will continue to make important contributions to the future of her province and our country and serve the people of New Brunswick well as their new lieutenant governor."

Murphy replaces former lieutenant-governor, Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, 63, who died last month following a battle with cancer.

"I'm really quite humbled to take up where Mme Roy Vienneau left off," said Murphy

"She was a very strong ambassador and was terrific in this role, and I know that she was someone who was fiercely proud of New Brunswick. And so it's kind of bittersweet, I guess, but I must say I'm feeling very honoured as well."

Although Murphy was aware she had been short-listed, the call from the prime minister Wednesday night, asking if she would accept the appointment, still came as a surprise, she said.

"That was quite a moment for me."

Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, 63, who served as the 31st lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick from Oct. 23, 2014, until her death last month, has been described as a 'trailblazer'and 'passionate advocate' for the province. (@LTGOVNB/Twitter)

The date of her swearing-in ceremony as the province's 32nd lieutenant-governor has not yet been announced.

"I do understand there's some urgency because the work of the lieutenant-governor cannot be done until someone is in place."

Regulations can't be proclaimed into law, and people can't be appointed to government positions, without a lieutenant-governor to sign an order-in-council.

Murphy said she expects a quick, "low-key" swearing-in, following by a more formal ceremony at a later date.

'Opportunity of a lifetime'

It's too soon to say what she hopes to accomplish in her new role, she said. She's still "trying to absorb" it all, she said, noting she just retired in April and was planning to do volunteer work.

"I think what made me say yes is that, you know, I've had, I think, a view or a lens of our province from various vantage points … working with the marginalized and working as an elected official," serving three terms as a municipal councillor in Grand Bay-Westfield. "And I thought this was another opportunity to see New Brunswick from a different lens.

"It just seemed like an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm really looking forward to this."

Murphy, who has a wife, daughter and grandson, will be the province's first openly gay lieutenant-governor.

She said she doesn't believe her sexual orientation was taken into consideration in her being appointed.

"Having said that, I would say that I've always believed people who have high-profile positions, if they're representative of our communities and our society, then that's a good thing."

Murphy described her wife of 13 years, Linda Boyle, as her "strongest support and biggest fan."

Boyle, who works for the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John, "didn't hesitate in saying, 'Yes, you need to do this,'" she said.

Brenda Murphy has dedicated her life to serving the public, advancing gender equality, and ending poverty. I know she’ll keep making important contributions to her province & country, and serve New Brunswickers well as their Lieutenant Governor. <a href="https://t.co/LYOislDU7m">https://t.co/LYOislDU7m</a> —@JustinTrudeau

Premier Blaine Higgs issued a statement to congratulate Murphy.

"This is an important role, and Ms. Murphy will be called upon to promote New Brunswick's sense of identity, support causes important to the province and help recognize outstanding citizens in the years ahead," said Higgs.

"I am confident that Ms. Murphy is up to these tasks," he said, citing her demonstrated commitment to the province and "wealth of knowledge."

Murphy has volunteered with a variety of organizations over the years, supporting housing, justice and equality for women.

Lieutenant-governors are appointed by Julie Payette, the Governor General of Canada, on the recommendation of the prime minister. They serve terms of at least five years.