Rose-Ann Bailey
100ABCWomen Database
Rose-Ann Marie Bailey, B.F.A., (Honours), B.Ed., M.Ed., is a Jamaican born artist who began using photography as a medium to document alternative images of Black people than those offered by the mainstream media. Toronto-based photographer, Bailey is a graduate of York University where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) and Education degrees, as well as a Master’s in Education. Her research centres on the use of arts-based community research as health intervention for low socio-economic communities.
1. Producer and Chair of the Nova Scotia Mass Choir Annual Tribute concert to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also acknowledging the contributions of ANS individuals and groups from 2008 to 2020. The concert shone a light on the untold stories of African Nova Scotians such as Midwives, Silvia Hamilton, Carrie and Calvert Best. I created the annual “”Towards the elimination of Racism concert series held in acknowledgement of the international day to eliminate racism 2008 to 2019.
2. As volunteer Chair of the Parent Teacher Organization of Nelson Whynder Elementary School and working as the Community Recreation Coordinator in North Preston. I created the Summer Brain Power Program to support students in grade 4,5,6 moving from a primarily segregated school in North Preston outside community. The program runs with the sponsorship of the Department of Education, African Canadian Services Branch across Nova Scotia. Presently as the summer Scholars grant program.
3. In 2019, As volunteer Chair of the North Preston Day Care Centre 50th Anniversary Celebration and Renovation committee, I planned the Anniversary Gala Celebration held in May of 2022. The Daycare Centre was the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada employing ANS Moms within the community of North Preston. I was successful in securing over $160,000.00 towards the 50th Anniversary project for renovation, board and staff development, and accessibility. The board has been successful in acquiring additional municipal land in community to expand the daycare program to develop a family resource centre.
1. i was the founder of the Canada Life Black and People Colour Employee Resource Group
2. While maintaining a busy litigation practice, I ran several marathons, competed thrice as a body builder, authored an article titled “You cannot out-exercise a bad diet” in the CABL Newsletter, and earned my certification as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
3. I always bring my authentic self as a Black leader and meeting my audience exactly where they are providing a safe space for open communication.
4. I was one of the first cohorts to graduate from the Black North Academy C-Suite and Board Preparedness program through the Black North Initiative, and the Board Diversity Network – Ted Rogers School of Management, Executive Board Readiness Program, both initiatives are aimed at addressing the shortage of Black professional talent on Boards of Directors.
In just seven years, I positioned TCBN as a key systems intermediary to create pathways into construction for equity deserving groups. My work has helped to generate thousands of good jobs in construction and hundreds of thousands of dollars in social procurement for local and diverse businesses and social enterprises.
Dr. Rosemary Moodie graduated from University of West Indies before obtaining post-graduate training in Pediatric Medicine and Neonatology at SickKids in Toronto. She is Fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Staff Physician in the Division of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. While in her role as neonatologist and clinical teacher in Department of Paediatrics, she obtained MBA (Rotman) and MPA (Queens). She is past Medical director & Corporate Chief of Paediatrics of the Regional Maternal Child Program Rouge Valley Health System; Lead for the Maternal, Child, Youth and Gynaecology of the Central East LHIN; and served on regional and provincial committees advocating to improve health equity and expand quality health care access for women and children. She is senior surveyor for Accreditation Canada and consults on health planning of regional health care services and health human resources.
Rosemary contribution to volunteerism, philanthropy and advocacy is extensive. She is Inaugural Board Director, Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital Toronto and Board Director of Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation. Rosemary was past President and Chair, YWCA Toronto, Advisory Board of Food for the Poor Canada, and Board Director P.A.C.E. Canada and Goodwill Toronto. She has been recognized for her significant contributions to improving social inequities and health disparities facing vulnerable members of society by the Government of Jamaica, University of Toronto, City of Toronto, College of Physician and Surgeons of Ontario, Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society and Ontario Medical Association.
Rosemary Sadlier, author, speaker, consultant and social justice advocate, has initiated numerous commemorations and honoured Black women. Sadlier provided 22 years of public service heading the only provincial heritage organization in Canada, the Ontario Black History Society, as an unpaid volunteer, while raising three children, and while employed with the Ontario Women’s Directorate, the Toronto District School Board, Brock University and Ryerson University. She initiated the process, with Jean Augustine, that resulted in the national declaration of February as Black History Month, after successfully achieving this with the Province of Ontario. Similarly, she has seen to the formal commemoration of August 1st as Emancipation Day. Her books have spoken to the challenges and resilience of African Canadians including Harriet Tubman, Mary Ann Shadd and other lesser known Black Canadian women. She was the only Canadian to attend the handover of digitized records to the National Museum of African American History and Culture following her successful actualization of the national Canadian Black History Summit. Sadlier is among the first Canadians honoured as a Global Defender by the Robert F. Kennedy Speak Truth to Power initiative and is a Fellow of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation. Sadlier has been honoured by the City of Toronto, the Black Business and Professional Association, AfroGlobal, she is a Kentucky Colonel, and she holds the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award and the Order of Ontario.
1) Raised $5 Million to build Dr. Rozs Healing Place, Centre for abused Women and Children; 2) I established Womens Lives Matter 2 in the Caribbean, 3) I was appointed to the Task Force on Sexual Abuse of Patients by Health Professionals commissioned by the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
In 2001, Ruth helped to organize the union at long term nursing home where I was employed.
As a true advocate, Ruth volunteered for many organizations, such as Helping Hands of Antigua and Barbuda Canadian Cultural Association of London Ontario, which is a non-profit organization, involved in fundraising for medical equipment for the Hospital on the Inland and funds for bursaries.
Focusing on her leadership skills, in 2001 Ruth was elected Chairperson at her workplace for two teams. Part of her responsibility was to negotiate a Collective Agreement, settle Grievances and arbitration cases. She was then elected Trustee in her local union Canadian Auto Worker (CAW) for one term in 2006, where she attended Leadership and activist courses throughout her term. In 2010 she was elected co-chair of Aboriginal and Workers of Color national committee, CAW.
As Vice President of CAW local 1106, in 2006, she held that position for three terms full-time being responsible for over three thousand members, negotiations, arbitrations, grievances and campaigning for minimum daily standards of care.
Dr. Ruth Rodney is an Assistant Professor at York University’s School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health. She entered the academic and research field as an accomplished nurse with 15 years of clinical nursing experience in a number of areas in Canada and globally. In her current role, she contributes to fostering the next generation of Canadian nurses, encouraging them to be bold, dynamic health care leaders who think critically to address global health issues.
Dr. Rodney graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing in 2004 from Ryerson University. She began her nursing career in Hamilton, Ontario and also worked in Kenya, Bolivia and a number of cities in the United States. After six years in practice, she returned to school to pursue Master of Science degree in global health with a focus on global health management. Dr. Rodney then obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in nursing and global health from the University of Toronto. Dr. Rodney is also a World Health Organization (WHO) trained clinician on health sector responses to violence against women. She has also contributed to advancing higher education for the profession of nursing in the global south by guest lecturing in Guyana and Ethiopia.
Salome Bey is an ‘Order of Canada’ recipient and considered by many to be the Queen of jazz and blues singers in Canada. She is also an icon as a singer-songwriter, performer, composer, director, and mentor.
Born in an African-American musical family in Newark, New Jersey, Salome started her singing career as a teenager, with her debut at the Apollo Theatre at age fourteen. Later, she formed a vocal group with her brother Andy and her sister Geraldine, known as Andy and the Bey Sisters. They performed in local clubs touring North America and Europe. A measure of superb talent that they demonstrated even then, is the fact that their 1960’s recordings were rediscovered and subsequently reissued in 2000. It is not insignificant that the back-up musicians on these recordings included jazz legends, Kenny Burrell, Milt Hinton, Ossie Johnston and Jo Jones.
Sandra came to Canada from Guyana in 1967. However, before migrating to Canada, she worked for three years in the field of Social and Welfare Services, which partially satisfied her passion for travel, meeting new people, learning the culture in different areas and really expanding her knowledge and horizon. She also worked as a Supply Teacher in the Public School System, particularly with children, and there, she was able to use her training in Early Childhood education.
In Canada, she first worked as a Supply Teacher in the Scarborough, Durham, Toronto and North York School boards. She studied and later earned a Certificate in Advanced Early Childhood Education from the University of Toronto. Sandra also worked in a pre and post-natal Nursing Program. Since that time, she has worked as a Childhood Early Education Certified Teacher at the Metro Social Services Division until she retired in 2005. However, Sandra may have left the formal work force but that did not stop her from utilizing her time elsewhere. After the “Coup” in Haiti in 1994, she traveled there with some members from her church to assist the children, women and seniors in various ways. She taught craft, English and mathematics, sewing and Bible studies. Sandra is very passionate about helping others. She volunteers at her Church as a Sunday sSchool teacher helping the youth, the homeless and other women in her community. She is described as the “Consummate Volunteer”. She also volunteered at Gilda’s Club for 10 years, working with children with cancer. She taught craft, took them to day-camp and engaged them in sing-a-long. The parents were also welcomed to participate.
For 40 years, Sandra has been a volunteer and member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, from a cadet to her senior years which means she became part the Fellowship Division.
My top 3 major accomplishments are: Becoming one of the Scarborough Board of Educations first black teachers and principals; Sharing my family’s rich history (beginning in the early 1800’s in Ontario)with students and various historical societies; coordinating and organizing the seniors’ program at Blackhurst Cultural Centre.
Sandra is a Renaissance woman whose tenacity, humour and expertise have helped her forged strong communications with diverse audiences across numerous communities. She has been at the epicentre of activity and change in Toronto’s African Canadian community for many years. She has worked with, among others, The Black Business & Professional Association, as President and Board member, Chaired the Walk Good Walkathon at the Jamaican Canadian Association, Chaired the Women of Distinction Awards at the YWCA, Chaired the Fundraising Committee at Factory Theatre, Chaired the Obsidian Theatre Board, was a board member of The Caribbean Cultural Committee Board, a member of the Metro Convention Centre and many more organizations over the years.
She is now President of PACE Canada, an organization supporting Early Childhood Education projects in Jamaica and Canada. She was awarded the Harry Jerome Award for Community Leadership in 2002, has received the JCA Award and the Gleaner Awards for Community Service.
Sarah Onyango is a translator by trade and has become well-known on Ottawa’s community television and radio scene since the late 1990s. However, broadcast journalism was not a career her parents wanted for the eldest of their five children.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Sarah spent parts of her childhood and adolescence in Kenya, Tanzania, Belgium and Canada. She first came to Canada, where her diplomat father was posted in 1980. Over a decade later, after earning a B.A. in Translation at the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in Linguistics from the Université de Franche-Comté, France, Sarah returned to Canada in 1992.
Sarah’s community service has been recognized with various awards: including the United Way/Centraide Ottawa Community Builder Award (2008 & 2011), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Ontario Volunteer Service Award (2012), the Leading Women Leading Girls Building Communities Award (2014), the Ontario Black History Society’s Mathieu Da Costa Award (2016), and the #OC150 award (2017).
Being A Mother, Grandmother and being involved in many initiatives that make a difference in the life Immigrant people especially the Women and their Families for over 40 years.
Shannon Beth Prince is the Curator of the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. She is also a historical storyteller and participates in re-enactments which bring the history of Buxton and the Underground Railroad to life for many groups both here and further a-field. Portraying Mary Ann Shadd Cary- her ggg aunt, in the theatre production of the John Brown story in “Rainbows and Wings” was a special opportunity in that vein. Being a 6th generation descendant of the early fugitive families that came to Canada for freedom and opportunity, she brings an insight, respect and love for Canadian heritage. In 1999, she began her role as Curator having graduated with a Certificate in Museum Studies through the Ontario Museum Association.
Currently she is a member of the Ontario Museum Association, Chair of the National Historic Sites Alliance for Ontario, Board Member of the National Trust for Canada, the Kent Cultural Network committee, a member of the Chatham Kent Community Leaders Cabinet, and is Co-chair of the Chatham Kent Tourism Advisory Committee. She has also served on several committees including the Ontario Trillium Grant Review Team, Chatham Kent Economic Advisory Board, and Women’s Development Day. She also participated in many regional, provincial and national roundtables to encourage tourism and cultural preservation.
My first major accomplishment is being a mother to my three children: Siena, Quincy, and Anisa. The love, joys, challenges, and responsibilities have given me my deepest sense of purpose. They truly make my life more fulfilling and meaningful, and when I look at them, I know that being their mom surpasses any other achievement. My second greatest accomplishment is my unwavering pursuit of academic growth. I embarked on the journey of motherhood in my teenage years and navigated the demands of parenting while pursuing three university degrees, which ultimately changed the trajectory of the lives of my children and me. I proudly hold my master’s degree as a testament to the determination and resilience with which God has blessed me. Lastly, I was in a life-altering car accident in 2016 and the journey to recovery demanded a warrior spirit and steadfast commitment like I’d never known. The whole process was an unexpected catalyst for personal and spiritual transformation for which I am grateful.
Sharmaine McKenzie is the Director of Strategic Planning and Operations in the Faculty of Law at Ryerson University where she provides leadership on academic administration, financial and human resources planning and organizational development.
Raised in Mississauga by parents who shaped and inspired her core values and work ethic, Sharmaine has always been focused on developing people and putting the necessary systems in place to help them succeed. After receiving a degree in Human Resources Management from York University, followed by a post-graduate certificate in adult education from the University of Toronto – Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Sharmaine began her career at Ryerson in 2007, and soon distinguished herself as a leader overseeing large-scale projects and initiatives, and as a community builder advancing cultural diversity at the University.
Sharon Douglas is the Principal, S.M.D. Consulting Inc. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, Sharon is a proud Nova Scotian Grenadian Barbadian Muslim woman. Sharon is a visionary, passionate and fierce leader and advocate for the Black community. Throughout her career including her work with United Way, Sharon has exemplified the values and principles of equity, justice and fairness, and has always selflessly advocated for the needs of those individuals and communities that are marginalized, discriminated and pushed to the side.
Sharon has worked in the Human Service Sector for over 20 years. She has held a variety of positions from Executive Director of the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board and the Cultural Interpreter Service of Peel to the Diversity Coordinator for Family Services of Peel, the Public Education Coordinator for the Social Planning Council of Peel, Director of Community Investment, United Way of Peel Region (UWPR) and most recently as Consultant to United Way Greater Toronto (June 2019).
Sharon Hinds is a highly successful organized leader with over 25+ years of International & Canadian career experience gained across multiple industry sectors who is committed to building and sustaining a positive work culture where collaboration and team work is essential to attainment of organizational goals.
She has extensive experience as a hands-on creative problem solver leader known for delivering notable cost-savings and operational improvements to the companies’ bottom line profits.
Sharon is well versed in managing volunteer and non-profit community initiatives with extensive and extremely well-established trusted relationships and driving a philanthropic culture throughout organizations. She is a strong communicator who is passionate about people and brings excitement, focus, and leadership to open-minded individuals in order to create a memorable working experience. Sharon loves to inspire, engage and empower employees through mentoring and coaching whilst cultivating business relationships built on respect, loyalty, and trust.
Sharon Joseph is a graduate of York University with a BA in Sociology, who migrated from Trinidad and Tobago 28 years ago. Sharon is the Founder and Executive Director of a non-profit Social Services and Employment agency Breakaway Relief Foundation. For over a decade, Sharon has worked as a Social Advocate and Crime Prevention Advocate in the African Canadian community, and the Jane Finch area in particular, continually supporting the needs and issues in the heart of the community.
Sharon initiated the concept of a peaceful community in the Jane Finch community using Peace, Love and Unity as a methodology in fostering a caring community. Her outreach education and awareness programs focused on saving our young black men from dropping out of school and becoming wards of the prison system.
In the midst of Sharon’s work within communities and agencies, she has established an annual Peace Walk and Fair in the Jane and Finch community. Sharon developed a memorial of victims as a teaching piece to educate young people of the danger and impact that stems from gun violence.
Sharon Elaine McLeod is the second child, born in downtown Toronto to Alvin and Elaine McLeod, newly arrived double immigrants from Jamaica via England. She attended primary and high school in Scarborough – a place that helped Sharon find and secure her voice.
A graduate of the University of Toronto, University College with a BA in 1993, and Howard University with an MSW in 1995, Sharon is a full-time lecturer and Academic Lead for the Field Placement Office at the Ryerson University School of Social Work. Prior to this, Sharon spent 25-years as an Addiction Therapist and Senior Social Worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Donwood Institute. An early advocate for Black Health, she recalled the pride, she and other thought-leaders felt when the BHA successfully negotiated a sanctuary for Black Health concerns we now know as TAIBU.
I led the advocacy which resulted in the Region of Peel proclaiming March 21st for the first time in 2010 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Regional Council agreeing to a process of community engagement to develop a comprehensive community plan to address racism and oppression in Peel.
Raising to amazing boys to be men who are committed to racial, gender and economic justice.
Being appointed as a Justice of the Peace for the Ontario Court of Justice in 2022.
1. Advocating for BIPOCs in the amateur sports system with the Federal Government
2. Executing the first ever Diversity in Sports Conference with a focus on amateur sports in Canada
3. Becoming the first ever Manager of EDI
Sheila Patricia Barker was born in Black River, Jamaica, West Indies, and received her secondary education at the St. Andrew High School for girls. During her tenure at High School, she was chosen to represent all schools to make a presentation to Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Phillip. Sheila is a Community activist in the areas of Health, Human Rights, Employment Standards and Policing Services in Ontario. She extends thanks to her parents Doreen and Lester for being recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (2018).
Sheila was raised by her wise grand-parents while her parents attended University in the United States. She was a good scholar and an excellent athlete, playing tennis, field hockey and netball. She represented Jamaica, locally, internationally and at the World Cup Level in netball as a player, umpire and a member of the Executive Committee.
She was also active in drama. She was an understudy for the Rt. Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, a renowned Poet, Folklorist and Actress and was also author of Pantomime Shows in Jamaica. Sheila was the first Black female radio announcer of “Housewives Choice” and “Music for Youth” at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. She danced at the Stratford Festival, Ontario, with Rex Nettleford Dance Troupe.
Sheila came to Canada in 1959 and attended and graduated from the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing and McGill University Nursing Programs with a Bachelor Degree in Public Health Nursing. She worked in Hospitals and Health Care Units as a Registered Nurse and later became a Visiting Public Nurse.