“STEADFAST – Perseverance in Pursuit of a Better Canada”
The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Woman ever elected to Canada's Parliament and sponsor of the historic Black History Month Motion shares reflections in advance of the screening of the film of her personal story of perseverance despite adversity in pursuit of social justice. This inspiring keynote presentation will offer insight on the Canada she made her home as a young trained teacher and domestic worker in the early 1960s; the progress achieved over the years on diversity, equity, inclusion and ally-ship as we wind up the United Nations' International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024; and the way forward in pursuit of that Canada we want to be for generations to come.
Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine P.C., C.M., O.Ont., C.B.E. is the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She was elected in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in 1993 and sat in Parliament until 2006. During this time, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister of State and Deputy Speaker.
In 2007, Dr. Jean Augustine was nominated by the Government of Ontario as Fairness Commissioner, a position created to advocate for Canadians with foreign credentials. Dr. Augustine retired from the position of Fairness Commissioner in March 2015.
Today, Jean Augustine continues in the work to help improve the human condition. Along with her frontline involvement through the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, she continues providing her expertise nationally and internationally as relevant.
Dr. Augustine has been honoured extensively for her work. She has received Honourary Doctorate degrees from the Universities of Toronto, York, McGill, Guelph, Windsor, Trent and Ryerson. She is a Senior Fellow at Massey College and a Fellow of Centennial College.
Amongst hundreds of other earned awards are the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Kaye Livingstone Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, the Rubena Willis Special Recognition Award, the UNIFOR Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award; the Toronto Lion’s Club Award; the University of the West Indies’ Luminary Award; and the Women’s Executive Network naming her one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women.
Today her name is borne by The Jean Augustine Secondary School in the Peel District School Board in Brampton, Ontario; The Jean Augustine Girls’ Leadership Academy of the Toronto District School Board; the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment; the Jean Augustine Park on Toronto’s Lakeshore Boulevard; and the City of Vaughan has named the Jean Augustine Complex and the Jean Augustine District Park.
In 2009, Jean was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her extensive contribution 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 to education and politics. In 2020 she was appointed to the Order of Ontario.
Today, Jean remains involved with community activities including co-chairing the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women recognition and database, and the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. She also funds three annual scholarships – at George Brown for single mothers; at Centennial College for young entrepreneurs; and at Humber College for students in the community studies program.
Jean Augustine is the proud mother of two daughters, and grandmother to two grandsons.
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