Jean Augustine (born 1937)
In many ways, the Honourable Jean Augustine has lived the Canadian dream! In 1960, she came to Canada from Grenada to work as a nanny. When her contract ended, she enrolled in teacher’s college, graduated and taught at elementary school, eventually becoming a principal in the Toronto public school system. A community activist, she dedicated herself to advancing
immigrant and women’s rights, and ending gender-based violence. Augustine has worked to advance many other social causes as a board member, including with York University, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Harbourfront Corporation. She also served as the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada. In 1988, she was appointed chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority, a social housing authority serving 300,000 residents in rent-geared-to-income housing. In 1993, Augustine became the first Black woman elected to Parliament. In 2002, she became the first Black woman to serve in the federal cabinet when she was appointed Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women). Augustine championed the legislation to recognize March as Black History Month in Canada – legislation passed in 1995. In 2009, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian society as a politician, educator and advocate for social justice. In 2012, she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2014, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services in education and politics. In 2020, she was appointed to the Order of Ontario.
(Sources: Wikipedia and Black History Month 2021 and jeanaugustine.ca)
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