While we frequently celebrate the accomplishments of individual African-Canadians, we should also pay tribute to those “unsung heroes” who paved the way for so many others, including those who fought courageously during some of Canada’s major domestic and international battles.

The leadership of Mary Ann Shadd, who was born to free parents in Wilmington, Delaware, and ultimately settled in Ontario, is also worthy of note.  Author of educational booklets outlining the benefits of living and working in Canada, Ms. Shadd established an integrated school in Windsor that was open to all who could afford to attend. To promote information about the successes of Black people living in freedom in Canada, she published the Provincial Freeman, thus becoming the first Black woman in North America to publish a newspaper. Ms. Shadd pursued law studies at Howard University, and became the first Black woman to complete her law degree. She also joined efforts for women’s suffrage and was the first Black woman to vote in a national election.

Black History Month provides the occasion to highlight our collective efforts to eradicate all forms of racism and discrimination, and to ensure the right and responsibility of all Canadians to contribute substantively to the economy, growth and well-being of Canada and Canadians.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation hails Black History Month as a golden opportunity to not only learn more about the historical and ongoing contributions of Canadians of African descent, but to continue that learning process beyond the end of the designated Month.