Nova Scotia Businesswoman Black Rights Activist Viola Desmond First Viola irene desmond (july 6, 1914 – february 7, 1965) was a canadian civil and women's rights activist and businesswoman of black nova scotian descent. in 1946, she challenged racial segregation at a cinema in new glasgow, nova scotia, by refusing to leave a whites only area of the roseland theatre. Viola desmond was a nova scotia businesswoman and civil rights advocate. a former teacher turned cosmetologist; she did not set out to become an activist. in 1946, while waiting for her car to be repaired in new glasgow, desmond went to a movie theatre and inadvertently sat in a "whites only" section.
Viola Desmond Canadian Businesswomen Mentor And Civil Rights Activist Viola desmond (1914–65) was a canadian businesswoman and civil libertarian who in 1946 defied the segregation policy of a movie theater in nova scotia, taking a seat in the whites only section. her refusal to accept an act of racial discrimination provided inspirational to a later generation of black persons in canada. Desmond hired legal counsel and appealed the charge in court — but she ultimately lost. "she discovered that canada was not ready to recognize racism and its shameful companion, segregation,". In mid 20th century canada, viola desmond brought nationwide attention to the african nova scotian community’s struggle for equal rights. an african canadian businesswoman, she confronted the anti black racism that african nova scotians routinely faced by refusing to move from her seat in the “whites only” section of the roseland theatre. Viola irene desmond (née davis), businesswoman, civil rights activist (born 6 july 1914 in halifax, ns; died 7 february 1965 in new york, ny). viola desmond bu.
15 Canadian Stories Viola Desmond Reluctant Social Activist Ottawa In mid 20th century canada, viola desmond brought nationwide attention to the african nova scotian community’s struggle for equal rights. an african canadian businesswoman, she confronted the anti black racism that african nova scotians routinely faced by refusing to move from her seat in the “whites only” section of the roseland theatre. Viola irene desmond (née davis), businesswoman, civil rights activist (born 6 july 1914 in halifax, ns; died 7 february 1965 in new york, ny). viola desmond bu. The story of viola desmond helped pave the way for advancements in civil rights for all canadians. learn more about desmond’s contributions through objects and an oral of history by her sister, wanda robson. By refusing to change seats and by fighting her conviction in court, viola desmond directly challenged segregation in canada. she was not the first black woman in canada to push back against racism. Viola desmond, often referred to as canada’s rosa parks, is one of the most significant figures in the fight for racial equality in canada. known for her courage in challenging the racial segregation in a nova scotia theatre in 1946, desmond’s act of defiance sparked a pivotal moment in canadian civil rights history. Born in 1914, viola desmond was an african canadian businesswoman who first confronted the racial discrimination that black nova scotians were used to of facing in canada. with her simple act of refutation to sit in a segregation space in a public theater, she bought a nationwide revolution against the racial discrimination.