Creatively Curious

Episode 35: Viola Desmond - Black History Month Acknowledgement


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Viola Desmond (1914-1965)

  • Viola lived in Halifax Nova Scotia
  • She stood up to Canada's racist laws in 1946
  • She opened Vi's Studio of Beauty Culture
  • In 1944 she opened Desmond School of Beauty Culture, which was the first school in Canada to train Black beauty culturists.
  • She stood up to racist policies in movie theatres in 1946 when she refused to leave a whites-only seat in a movie Theatre in New Glasgow.
  • She was convicted of a minor tax violation for the one-cent tax difference between the seat that she had paid for and the seat that she used, even though she wanted to pay the difference.
  • She was arrested and spent a night in jail and pais a fine of $20 and $6 legal fees.
  • Viola appealed the fine with the Supreme Court but she lost.
  • In 2010 Viola received a pardon for this situation.
  • Viola appears on Canada's $10 bill and she was the first black person and non-royal female to appear on Canadian currency.


Resource: "Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Achievement." by Lindsay Ruck


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Creatively CuriousBy ashleadwalter