Statecraft & Independence
Landmark
Jean Augustine
born 1937
First Black woman in Parliament, and the reason Canada has Black History Month
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Canada Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
Elected in 1993 as the first Black woman MP, and in her first term she moved the motion that made February Black History Month in Canada.
Jean Augustine became the first Black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1993.
During her first term she moved the motion recognising Black History Month, which passed, and the first was marked in February 1996. In 2002 she became the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the federal Cabinet, serving as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women.
During her first term she moved the motion recognising Black History Month, which passed, and the first was marked in February 1996. In 2002 she became the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the federal Cabinet, serving as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Jean Augustine
- Government of Canada — Jean Augustine
- University of Toronto Alumni — Canadian legend Jean Augustine helped create Black History Month
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