Wanda Thomas Bernard
Canadian senator
The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard CM ONS | |
|---|---|
| Senator for 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 70) Halifax, Nova Scotia[1] |
| 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,[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]
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.[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]
Bernard supports official recognition of Emancipation Day in Canada, and proposed a 2018 private member's bill to that effect.[4]
Bernard joined the Progressive Senate Group on July 8, 2020.[5]
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,[6] and in 2014, she was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia.[7]
References
- ^ Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard | Black in Canada
- ^ a b c d Bryden, Joan (October 27, 2016). "Justin Trudeau set to name nine new senate appointments". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ a b "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
- Wanda Thomas Bernard – Parliament of Canada biography
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Current members of the Senate of Canada
Presiding officers:
- ■ Independent Senators Group (40)
- ■ Canadian Senators Group (17)
- ■ Progressive Senate Group (14)
- ■ Conservative (13)
- ■ Non-affiliated (12)
- vacant (9)
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