Oswald was born and raised in St. Vital, Manitoba, and worked as a teacher and school administrator for fifteen years before entering politics. She initially taught English, later serving as Vice Principal at a special-needs school in the Louis Riel Division. In the latter capacity, she frequently worked with children and families who arrived in Canada from war-ravaged countries. Oswald has also been involved in local organizations such as Victoria Hospital, the Zoological Society of Manitoba and Take Pride Winnipeg!.
Oswald was part of the NDP's historic breakthrough in south-end Winnipeg in the provincial election of 2003, defeating incumbent Progressive ConservativeLouise Dacquay in the riding of Seine River by 4314 votes to 3582 (the NDP had never won the riding before). Her primary issues were greater access to post-secondary education and a tuition freeze for university students, though she also focused on environmental issues.
In August 2004, Oswald was appointed to lead a task-force committee looking for ways to get children physically active.
Oswald was appointed to Gary Doer's Cabinet on October 12, 2004, serving as the Minister responsible for Healthy Living, Seniors and Healthy Child Manitoba. None of these responsibilities constitutes a full portfolio.
Obituary, The Tribune (Johnstown) Saturday Mar 6, 1898 Miss Theresaa J. Oswald, notice of whose death this paper printed yesterday, was born March 3, 1872, in Juniata Township, Bedford County, near the New Baltimore Post Office, in Somerset County.
Theresa Oswald--resides at 785 Huber Street, Ninth Ward, where the subject of this sketch died.
Miss Oswald began to attend St. Joseph's Parochial Schools soon after her arrival here with her parents in 1879, and continued as a student until a short time before the Great Flood.