Celebrating Legends at Canada Leadership Summit 2024: Lessons & Inspiration from Nation Builder Awardee Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, Ph.D., C.M., O.N

I had the honourable opportunity to interview Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard at our last George Floyd Memorial Lecture and was blown away by the depth of her humility. Now, take that as the first lesson in transformational leadership.

What an embodiment of greatness, a trailblazing social worker, educator, and activist who dedicated her life to advocating for equity, human rights, and social justice.

At this year's Canada Leadership Summit, happening on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario, she will be flying in from Halifax to receive the prestigious Nation Builders Award for Lifetime Achievement.

A native of East Preston, Nova Scotia, Senator Bernard made history in 2016 when she was appointed to the Senate of Canada, becoming one of the first African Nova Scotians to hold such a position. Her career, both before and after her Senate appointment, has been characterized by her unrelenting commitment to dismantling systemic racism, improving the lives of marginalized communities, and advancing social equity.

Early Life and Education

Many people are aware of the history of segregated schools in the United States, but fewer realize that this also occurred in Canada. I was stunned when she shared with our audience that she had attended a segregated school here in Canada, despite having heard about it before.

But here's an even greater shock: after the end of segregated schools and the move to integrated ones, she actually wished she could return to her old segregated school due to the intense racism she encountered in the integrated environment.

This story mirrors what I experienced during my interview with the Hon. Senator Mary-Jane McCallum, who was honoured with our 2023 Nation Builders Award for National Unity & Harmony Leadership.

This award, which the Hon. Senator Murray Sinclair has graciously accepted for this year's Canada Leadership Summit, reflects her remarkable contributions.

Senator McCallum's experiences are particularly harrowing, as she survived one of Canada's darkest chapters—a truth that has long been overlooked.

It is a tremendous honour for me to be in the company of these remarkable women and other transformative leaders at this year’s Canada Leadership Summit & Nation Builders Award.

If you want to immerse yourself in a wealth of leadership experience and inspiration, register now at www.canadaleadershipsummit.ca.

Growing up in East Preston, a historically Black community in Nova Scotia, Senator Bernard experienced firsthand the effects of racism and marginalization. This shaped her understanding of inequality and inspired her lifelong dedication to social justice.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from Dalhousie University. Later, she earned a PhD in Social Work from the University of Sheffield in England.

Career as a Social Worker and Educator

Before her political career, Senator Bernard had a distinguished career as a social worker and educator. She was one of the first African Canadian women to be appointed as a full professor at Dalhousie University’s School of Social Work, where she also served as the director from 2001 to 2011.

During her tenure, she championed anti-oppression and anti-racist education, developing curricula that emphasized social justice, and creating inclusive spaces for Black students and other underrepresented groups in academia.

If you want to immerse yourself in a wealth of leadership experience and inspiration, register now at www.canadaleadershipsummit.ca.

Senatorial Appointment and Legislative Work

In 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Wanda Thomas Bernard to the Senate of Canada, marking a historic moment for African Canadians, particularly for those from Nova Scotia.

In the Senate, she has been a relentless advocate for marginalized communities, focusing her legislative efforts on promoting racial equity, gender justice, poverty reduction, and health care reform.

Her work in the Senate includes:

- Advocating for legislative changes to address anti-Black racism in the criminal justice system.

- Supporting initiatives to advance women's rights, particularly Black women and women from other minority communities.

- Raising awareness and calling for systemic changes in relation to health inequities faced by Black Canadians, including mental health services and access to culturally competent care.

Achievements and Impact

Throughout her career, Senator Bernard has been recognized for her impactful work in various fields. Here are 7-10 of her top achievements:

1. Appointment to the Senate of Canada: In 2016, she made history by becoming one of the first African Nova Scotians to serve in the Senate, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities on a national platform.
2. Director of Dalhousie University’s School of Social Work: As one of the first Black women in Canada to lead a major academic institution, she revolutionized the social work curriculum by incorporating anti-racist and anti-oppression frameworks.
3. Recipient of the Order of Canada: Senator Bernard was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005 for her work in advancing equity and social justice in both academic and public policy arenas.
4. Founding Member of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW): In 1979, Senator Bernard co-founded the ABSW, an organization that has played a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of Black families and individuals in Nova Scotia and Canada, providing a space for Black social workers to lead change.
5. Establishing the Africentric Social Work Program at Dalhousie University: Senator Bernard was instrumental in the development of this groundbreaking program, which emphasizes culturally relevant and sensitive practices for African Canadians and other marginalized communities.
6. Advocating for the Emancipation Day Bill: Bernard played a pivotal role in pushing for the recognition of Emancipation Day in Canada. Thanks to her efforts, August 1st is now officially recognized as Emancipation Day across the country, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
7. Mental Health Advocacy for Black Canadians: As a strong advocate for mental health services that address the unique needs of Black communities, Senator Bernard has fought for greater access to culturally competent mental health care, recognizing the impact of racism on mental well-being.
8. Championing Gender Equity: Throughout her career, Senator Bernard has been a vocal advocate for gender equity, fighting for the rights of Black women and other marginalized groups, particularly in terms of economic empowerment and protection from gender-based violence.
9. Advocacy for Restorative Justice: Bernard has consistently advocated for restorative justice approaches to address the overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous people in the Canadian criminal justice system, calling for reform that addresses systemic discrimination.
10. Influence on Public Policy: As a senator, Bernard has been instrumental in shaping public policy, particularly in areas related to poverty reduction, access to education, and health equity. She has used her platform to raise awareness about systemic issues affecting marginalized communities and to advocate for meaningful change.

If you want to immerse yourself in a wealth of leadership experience and inspiration, register now at www.canadaleadershipsummit.ca.

Legacy and Ongoing Advocacy

Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard’s legacy is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to equity. Through her work, both in the Senate and as an educator, she has uplifted the voices of historically marginalized groups and pushed for systemic change in Canada.

Whether through her advocacy for mental health services for Black Canadians, her fight for the recognition of Emancipation Day, or her efforts to reform the criminal justice system, Senator Bernard has proven herself to be a steadfast champion of social justice.

Her life’s work continues to inspire new generations of activists, educators, and political leaders, particularly those from Black and other marginalized communities.

If you want to immerse yourself in a wealth of leadership experience and inspiration, register now at www.canadaleadershipsummit.ca.

Ladies and gentlemen and everyone else, the Canadian Congress kindly invites you to come and celebrate and network with Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and thirteen other nation builders we will be celebrating at this year’s Canada Leadership Summit & Nation Builders Award.

For more information, group tickets, media interviews, sponsorship and strategic partnership opportunities, visit https://www.canadaleadershipsummit.ca/ or email [email protected].