Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond. Educator, Entrepreneur, Human Rights Activist. Mrs. Viola Irene (Davis) Desmond was born on July 6, 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to James and Gwendolyn Davis. Viola was one of 15 siblings who grew up in and around the city area. After graduating from Bloomfield High School with excellent marks, she became a teacher and taught school for nearly two years. , Motivated by her families' entrepreneurial success as Halifax barbers and the inspirational leadership of United States black hair products businesswomen Madam C. J. Walker, Viola became a student of Ms. Walker's school in New York and graduated as a beautician and hair culturist. , Viola returned to Halifax where she opened her business "Desmond's Beauty School". Her entrepreneurial spirit blossomed and she became a well known business name throughout the Atlantic provinces., "Desmond's original class had 15 black female students from all over Atlantic Canada. By all accounts, Desmond was ahead of her time, making inroads not only as a woman but as a black woman. It was in the 40's, she had her own business, she bought a car, was taught to drive, these were things that were foreign to most women." , , The Chronicle Herald Saturday March 6, 2010, On November 8, 1946, while traveling back from a business trip to Sydney, Nova Scotia, Viola incurred some automobile problems and had to stay in New Glasgow overnight. While waiting she decided to go to the local theatre to watch a movie. Not knowing that the theatre operated under segregation seating, she proceeded to sit in the "whites only" section. Advised by the usher that her ticket was for upstairs, Viola offered to pay the difference but was told by the cashier that she was "not permitted to sell tickets to you people." , Viola returned to the whites only section and was eventually forcibly removed by the police and theatre manager, thrown in jail, where she spent a very uncomfortable night. , The next morning Viola appeared in court, was denied her rights and charged with defrauding the Nova Scotia government of one penny and fined $26. Advised to challenge this injustice and sue the theatre manager, Viola fought for almost a year to have the charges eventually quashed by the Supreme Court. The four judges ruled against her because Viola's lawyer missed the time limit for filing the appeal. , Viola's courage and dignity during this incident and in the face of a great social injustice would change the course of history. Viola's action, determination and spirit for social justice would go on to help create awareness of segregation and improve human rights, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. The Town of New Glasgow salutes and honours Viola Desmond as a leader, social activist and champion of human rights., Unveiled by New Glasgow Mayor Barrie E. MacMillan, , Her Honor Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S., DHumL, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; , Councillor Clyde Fraser, Chair, New Glasgow Heritage Committee, , August 16, 2010 in conjunction with the 2010 New Glasgow Black Gala Homecoming , Interpretive Panel Design - Ashton Creative Design, Bridgeville, Pictou County.