What happened to my sister is part of our history, and needs to remain intact. We must learn from our history so we do not repeat it. If my parents were here today, it would warm their hearts to see Viola recognized as a true Canadian hero.

                                              Wanda Robson, sister of Mrs Desmond

She has been called the Rosa Parks of Canada. Rosa Parks was the United States civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Viola Desmond was a trailblazer and pioneer to black people in Canada and North America in her struggle right against racial discrimination in segregated Nova Scotia. Ms Desmond was pardoned posthumously in 2016 by the 64-year-old black lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia Maryann Francis. Ms Francis called Ms Desmond's case a 'miscarriage of justice and said she should never have been charged.'

 

          What is the story behind the courageous act being honoured?

Viola Irene Desmond (nee Davis) was a businesswoman and civil rights activist. She was born on 6th July 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She died in 1965 in New York, NY. Viola Desmond built a career and business as a beautician.  Viola Desmond's time was much different from ours. At that time, few beauty schools accepted black students. After her training in Montreal, Atlantic City and New York, the visionary businesswoman set up her own beauty and training school – called the Desmond School of Beauty – to mentor black students and to give them an opportunity in the industry. She also sold her own line of beauty products across Nova Scotia.

According to the GlobeandMail, Ms Desmond was on a business trip on November 8, 1946, when her car broke down in New Glasgow. She decided to watch a psychological thriller, The Dark Mirror starring Olivia de Havilland at the Roseland Theatre which was segregated at the time. The floor seats were for whites only, while the balcony seats were for black patrons. Ms Desmond was shortsighted and needed a better view. She tried to buy a floor seat but they refused to sell it to her as she was black. She then bought a balcony seat (which was one per cent cheaper) but sat in the floor area until the theatre staff called the police and dragged her out. Unfortunately, she spent 12 hours in jail. She was charged, convicted of tax evasion and fined $26. She died in 1965 without any official recognition of racial discrimination in her case. Viola Desmond's stand against racial segregation was a major event for the Canadian civil rights movement. Her high profile fight against her conviction generated so much publicity that Nova Scotia was forced to throw out its segregation laws in 1954.

The present day

Recognising the evils of segregation and acknowledging the life work of Ms Desmond, the Canadian government announced in 2016 that she would be the face of the $10 note released in 2018. This is a nationally significant event as  Ms Desmond is the first Canadian woman to be solely featured on Canadian currency. In her hometown of Halifax, she is being celebrated with a 5-day event which showcases her life's work which can not be forgotten.

 The Viola Desmond 10 Dollar Bill Celebration is an opportunity to invite Halifax, Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and the rest of the nation to Viola's home community to commemorate her achievements. The celebration begins in earnest on Wednesday 21st November 2019 with a Round Table Discussion: Civil Rights "Then and Now". The discussion will hold at the McInnes Room, Dalhousie Students' Union, 6136 University Ave, Halifax. 

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, the Spatz Theatre hosts Viola: An Original Musical. For tickets please visit their Facebook page. On Friday, November 23rd 2018 there is a free Spoken Word event at The Local, 2037 Gottingen St, Halifax.  Saturday 24th November 2018 has two events. A Pop Up Vendors' Market and a Tribute concert which starts at 8 pm. The concert features performances by Maje, Keonte Beals, Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound, Cyndi Cain and much more.  The Tribute concert will include local entrepreneurs: a live barber showcase and a fashion show. The final celebration event is on Sunday 25th November 2018 with a Luncheon and Ecumenical Service honouring Viola Desmond; The free event which starts at 12:30 and ends at 3:30 pm. 

Ms Desmond was also the first woman of colour to get her own Heritage Minute in 2016 for Black History Month by Historica Canada. 

 

Article culled from JacanaBooks Edmonton.