Nominated by Justin Trudeau Political party Non-affiliated | Appointed by David Johnston Occupation Academic | |
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Profession Social worker and educator | ||
Embracing possibilities wanda thomas bernard tedxmsvu
Wanda Thomas Bernard (born August 1, 1953) is a Canadian 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. In 2004, she was awarded 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. 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.