Many African Nova Scotians have courageously changed the cultural landscape of our province by standing up for what’s right and fighting against inequality.
Many activists do not aspire to become advocates for equality; sometimes it just happens. Viola Irene Desmond was a black businesswoman who is celebrated as a pioneer in the social justice movement. Desmond challenged racial inequality in a movie theatre in New Glasgow.
It may be difficult for many of our students today to comprehend that there was a dark time in our history when African Nova Scotians were not allowed to mingle socially with white citizens.
Being of African descent, Desmond was not allowed to train as a beautician in Halifax so she continued her education in Montreal. She returned to Halifax to open her own hair salon. Her client list included Portia White who was Canada’s first black concert opera singer and Gwen Jackson who was the first black nurse in Nova Scotia.
Read full story here: Future generations benefit from the actions of Viola Desmond
