Who is Viola Desmond?

Who is Viola Desmond? You might have her in your pocket or your wallet right now. Have you seen her face on the Canadian $10 bill? Have you wondered why she's there?

Today in History: Death of Viola Desmond - Feb 07, 1965

Viola Desmond, who helped galvanize Black Canadians against segregation, died at New York City. After a 1946 incident in which Desmond was arrested for sitting in a “Whites Only” section of a theatre in New Glasgow, N.S, she fought her conviction of defrauding the government of the difference in tax — one cent — between tickets in the racially-separated sections. Though the conviction was upheld, her struggle became a catalyst for change. In 2010, Desmond was pardoned by Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor Mayann Francis.                                        Historica Canada https://www.historicacanada.ca/

Learn more about Viola Desmond by watching her Heritage Minute here.

Explore more Heritage Minutes here. 

https://www.historicacanada.ca/heritageminutes