Penny Priddy was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women's Equality in November 2000.

Penny served as the Minister of Education from February to November 2000. Before that, she served as the Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors from February 1998 to February 2000, and as the first Minister for Children and Families from September 1996 to February 1998. Previously, she served as the Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture from June to September 1996; Minister of Labour from February to June 1996; and as the Minister of Women's Equality from November 1991 to February 1996.

Penny was first elected to the Legislature to represent the constituency of Surrey-Newton in the 1991 general election and was re-elected in 1996.

A nurse by training, she has worked with children, families and people with disabilities in a variety of programs over the past 30 years. This includes her work as chief executive officer for the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living, for the Human Resources Program at Douglas College and as a human resources consultant.

Penny was elected for two terms on the Surrey School Board and served as chair.

Other community involvements included the B.C. Association for Community Living, the Surrey Association for the Mentally Handicapped, the Surrey White Rock Home Support Association, the Boundary Unit Board of Health, Surrey Parks and Recreation and Surrey Women for Action.

Penny and Robert Priddy have one daughter, one son and one grandson.