The HonourableWanda Thomas BernardCM ONS | |
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Canadian Senator from East Preston, Nova Scotia | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office November 10, 2016 | |
Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
Appointed by | David Johnston |
Personal details | |
Born | (1953-08-01) August 1, 1953 (age 71) Halifax, Nova Scotia |
Political party | Progressive Senate Group |
Occupation | Academic |
Profession | Social worker and educator |
Wanda Thomas Bernard CM ONS (born August 1, 1953) is a Canadian senator.
Career
She was formerly a social worker and educator from East Preston, Nova Scotia. Bernard is the first Black Canadian to have an academic tenure position and become a full professor at Dalhousie University, where her research focuses on anti-oppression and diversity. Bernard was one of the founding members of the Association of Black Social Workers.
As a Senator
On October 27, 2016, Bernard was named to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sit as an independent. At the time of her appointment, she was the chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She is the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve in the Senate Chamber.
Bernard supports official recognition of Emancipation Day in Canada, and proposed a 2018 private member's bill to that effect.
Bernard joined the Progressive Senate Group on July 8, 2020.
Accolades and nominations
In 2005, she was appointed to the Order of Canada for her work addressing racism and diversity in the field of social work, and in 2014, she was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia.
References
- Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard | Black in Canada
- ^ Bryden, Joan (October 27, 2016). "Justin Trudeau set to name nine new senate appointments". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ "Wanda Thomas Bernard appointed to the Senate of Canada". Dalhousie News. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
- Smith, Emma (August 1, 2020). "N.S. senator calls for Canada to officially recognize Emancipation Day". CBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- "The Progressives Welcome New Member". The Progressives. 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
- The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. "Order of Canada: Wanda Thomas Bernard, The Governor General of Canada". Retrieved 2017-02-25.
- "Walter Borden, Wanda Thomas Bernard among five people named to Order of Nova Scotia". The Chronicle Herald. 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
External links
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- 1953 births
- Living people
- Canadian senators from Nova Scotia
- Canadian social work academics
- Academic staff of Dalhousie University
- Black Canadian politicians
- Black Canadian women
- Black Nova Scotians
- Independent Senators Group
- Progressive Senate Group
- Women members of the Senate of Canada
- 21st-century Canadian women politicians
- Members of the Order of Canada
- Members of the Order of Nova Scotia
- 21st-century members of the Senate of Canada
- Nova Scotia politician stubs