Human rights icon Viola Desmond is going to be the first Canadian woman featured on a Canadian bill.
Her portrait will be on a new $10 bank note, expected in late 2018, according to the Bank of Canada.
Thrilled to announce that Viola Desmond will be the first Canadian woman to appear on a bank note! pic.twitter.com/BDnkzpWeux
— Hon. Patty Hajdu (@min_swc) December 8, 2016
Spokesperson Josianne Ménard says Desmond has an extraordinary story not least because she was a successful Black businesswoman.
“And in 1946, she went into a New Glasgow theatre to see a movie, she bought a ticket for the downstairs section, not knowing that it was reserved for white people, she was asked to go to the black section, she refused and was subsequently jailed,” says Ménard.
“It’s a very inspiring story, I mean clearly she stood up for what was right,” says Ménard. “Soon people will have her portrait in their wallet, and it will be something that people can relate to and think of on a day to day basis.”
Desmond was convicted and fined for her actions but many years later the Government of Nova Scotia issued her a pardon.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau chose Desmond out of a short list of five iconic Canadian women.
Morneau says Desmond represents courage, strength and determination – qualities we should all aspire to every day.
It’s my privilege to announce that Viola Desmond will be the first Canadian woman on a bank note. #bankNOTEable pic.twitter.com/jAOceW2ETX
— Bill Morneau (@Bill_Morneau) December 8, 2016
Since last Spring, in an open call for nominations, Canadians came up with 26,300 submissions, resulting in 461 eligible candidates.
#bankNOTEable Viola Desmond was chosen from 461 nominees for Canada’s next $10 bill, in 2018. https://t.co/Z8mOqOo97G pic.twitter.com/7dsJGegQKK
— Bank of Canada (@bankofcanada) December 8, 2016
These past months, Canadians learned more about the iconic women who built Canada says Governor Poloz. pic.twitter.com/0WAULsJYls
— Bank of Canada (@bankofcanada) December 8, 2016
The full press release from the Bank of Canada is below.
Meanwhile, a Nova Scotia MP says it’s a very exciting day for the province.
Bernadette Jordan, representing South Shore – St. Margaret’s, says Viola Desmond was the right choice out of the five women considered.
“She was a trailblazer. In 1946, refusing to leave the white-only secton of the New Glasgow theatre she really stood up for what she believed in, she didn’t back down.”
Jordan says its nice to see a woman on a Canadian banknote but also a woman who was discriminated against and fought for her rights.
“Because up until now we have not had a woman on the front of a banknote, of course we’ve always had the monarch on the back. It’s nice to see women being recognized; we make up half the population and we have contributed.”
The government of Nova Scotia granted her an official apology in 2010 and free pardon.
