Rosemary Sadlier
Rosemary Sadlier OOnt (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, DEI consultant, and international speaker on Black History, anti-racism and women’s issues. She is the past President, serving for 22 years as the unpaid leader of the Ontario Black History Society - being the driving force of the secured commemoration of February as Black History Month at all levels of government. She secured August 1st as Emancipation Day municipally in 1995 and provincially in 2008 with a national declaration effected in March 2021. She saw to the creation of the national day for the Hon. Lincoln Alexander and chairs the committee seeing to the installation of a bust of 'Linc' in Queen's Park. She was the Royal Commonwealth Society Equality Lead for the Americas & the Caribbean; has given deputations to the UN Rapporteur on Race Relations, the Federal and Provincial Governments and on consultative work with the Royal Ontario Museum, CMHR, The Ward Heritage Interpretative Group, the Bi-National Study of the Underground Railroad and with Historica, and heritage conferences. Previously she served on the final selection committee of the national Mathieu Da Costa Challenge for Canadian Heritage and is a past member of the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee. An educator, she has developed or contributed to African Canadian curriculum, resources, national exhibits and she is an appointed member of a regulatory board of the Ontario College of Teachers. She was among the first Canadians designated a Global Defender of Human Rights (CTF & Robert Kennedy Center in New York). Honored by Glendon College, York University with an art installation and OCAD issued her an Hon. Doctorate. She recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Empowerment Awards. An author, Sadlier has written 7 books on African Canadian history, such as the award winning The Kids Book of Black Canadian History. Sadlier is dedicated to social justice and using the frame of Black History, seeks to educate and empower others. Black Canadian History - Let's Get Educated! February is Black History Month but few people appreciate how very short lived this celebration is in Canada. In this webinar we will have the opportunity to learn how Black History Month came to be celebrated in Canada and to understand a bit more about some other important commemorations related to the experience of people of African origin in this country. The early settlement of Black people in York Region/Georgina, the reasons for their settlement and their experiences will be covered. The commemoration of August 1st as Emancipation Day and the many celebrations that now exist and why will be discussed. Rosemary Sadlier will connect the past history with the present and possible future of this country and provide an appreciation of how long it takes to raise awareness.
Rosemary Sadlier OOnt (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, DEI consultant, and international speaker on Black History, anti-racism and women’s issues. She is the past President, serving for 22 years as the unpaid leader of the Ontario Black History Society - being the driving force of the secured commemoration of February as Black History Month at all levels of government. She secured August 1st as Emancipation Day municipally in 1995 and provincially in 2008 with a national declaration effected in March 2021. She saw to the creation of the national day for the Hon. Lincoln Alexander and chairs the committee seeing to the installation of a bust of 'Linc' in Queen's Park.
She was the Royal Commonwealth Society Equality Lead for the Americas & the Caribbean; has given deputations to the UN Rapporteur on Race Relations, the Federal and Provincial Governments and on consultative work with the Royal Ontario Museum, CMHR, The Ward Heritage Interpretative Group, the Bi-National Study of the Underground Railroad and with Historica, and heritage conferences. Previously she served on the final selection committee of the national Mathieu Da Costa Challenge for Canadian Heritage and is a past member of the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee.
An educator, she has developed or contributed to African Canadian curriculum, resources, national exhibits and she is an appointed member of a regulatory board of the Ontario College of Teachers. She was among the first Canadians designated a Global Defender of Human Rights (CTF & Robert Kennedy Center in New York). Honored by Glendon College, York University with an art installation and OCAD issued her an Hon. Doctorate. She recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Empowerment Awards.
An author, Sadlier has written 7 books on African Canadian history, such as the award winning The Kids Book of Black Canadian History. Sadlier is dedicated to social justice and using the frame of Black History, seeks to educate and empower others.
Black Canadian History - Let's Get Educated!
February is Black History Month but few people appreciate how very short lived this celebration is in Canada. In this webinar we will have the opportunity to learn how Black History Month came to be celebrated in Canada and to understand a bit more about some other important commemorations related to the experience of people of African origin in this country. The early settlement of Black people in York Region/Georgina, the reasons for their settlement and their experiences will be covered. The commemoration of August 1st as Emancipation Day and the many celebrations that now exist and why will be discussed. Rosemary Sadlier will connect the past history with the present and possible future of this country and provide an appreciation of how long it takes to raise awareness.
This event is part of the Winter 2024 Speaker series.
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