Wanda Thomas Bernard

Wanda Thomas Bernard CM ONS (born August 1, 1953) is a Canadian senator. 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,[2] where her research focuses on anti-oppression and diversity.[3] Bernard was one of the founding members of the Association of Black Social Workers.[2] In 2005, she was appointed to the Order of Canada for her work addressing racism and diversity in the field of social work,[4] and in 2014, she was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia.[5] On October 27, 2016, Bernard was named to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sit as an independent.[2] At the time of her appointment, she was the chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.[2] She is the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve in the Senate Chamber.[3]

The Honourable

Wanda Thomas Bernard

CM ONS
Assumed office
November 10, 2016
Nominated byJustin Trudeau
Appointed byDavid Johnston
Personal details
Born (1953-08-01) August 1, 1953
Halifax, Nova Scotia[1]
Political partyProgressive Senate Group
OccupationAcademic
ProfessionSocial worker and educator

Bernard supports official recognition of Emancipation Day in Canada, and proposed a 2018 private member's bill to that effect.[6]

Bernard joined the Progressive Senate Group on July 8, 2020.[7]

References
  1. Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard | Black in Canada
  2. Bryden, Joan (October 27, 2016). "Justin Trudeau set to name nine new senate appointments". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  3. "Wanda Thomas Bernard appointed to the Senate of Canada". Dalhousie News. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  4. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. "Order of Canada: Wanda Thomas Bernard, The Governor General of Canada". Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  5. "Walter Borden, Wanda Thomas Bernard among five people named to Order of Nova Scotia". The Chronicle Herald. 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  6. Smith, Emma (August 1, 2020). "N.S. senator calls for Canada to officially recognize Emancipation Day". CBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. News, Posted in; Photos (2020-07-08). "The Progressives Welcome New Member". The Progressives. Retrieved 2020-08-23.


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