Black Women: Changemakers of the 19^th and 20^th Centuries

This package celebrates and investigates Black women in Canada in the 19^th and 20^th centuries through the lenses of identity, joy and resilience. By exploring trailblazing Black women, we examine their sources of Black joy and strength, activism and community creation, and their specific contributions toward the development of a more representative and just Canadian society.

Women of African descent have always drawn strength from their cultural heritage and community bonds. Through music, literature and art, Black women have created a sense of identity and belonging, and strengthened their families and communities. Equally, protesting anti-Black racism and fighting for social justice has reinforced the importance of community in the face of adversity. Women like Mattie Mayes, Joan Jones, and Michie Mee, and organizations and movements like the Coloured Women’s Club and the 1989 protest at the Royal Ontario Museum against the colonial Into the Heart of Africa exhibition, help to shape our understanding of the Black experience, as we centre Black voices, stories and perspectives.

This package was inspired by content explored in CBC’s Black Life: Untold Stories documentary series, and was made possible through the Black Life Impact Foundation educational and engagement initiative. It was thoughtfully written and developed by educators Tina Jagdeo, author of Bold Schools and Rachael Brownell-Swain, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Greenwood College School. Guidance was provided by advisors Dr. Afua Cooper, Principal Investigator, A Black People’s History of Canada; Professor Handel Wright, Director of the Centre for Culture, Identity and Education at the University of British Columbia;  David Austin, Author, Fear of a Black Nation; and Karen Murray, System Superintendent for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Oppression in the Toronto District School Board.

Please note that this package discusses content — such as racism and discrimination — that some readers may find upsetting. We recommend that teachers read through all content before sharing with their students.