Women In History
Lena O'Ree
Saint John, NB
At the young age of 17 years, Lena hosted the first Black radio show (1931). The radio station of course did not make it known she was a black woman. Her love of piano and music made her want to share it with whomever listened. The colour barrier did nothing to stop her. At the age of 22, in 1936, she went to the YWCA and tried to join. They turned her away and told her if she wanted to join, she would have to enroll five other black women. She returned the next day with ten black women. Nothing could hold her back when she put her mind to it. In the year of 1959, she made a decision that would affect Black people nationally. Lena was responsible, indirectly via politics, for having the colour barrier lifted on the CP Hotels nationally.
Saint John, NB
At the young age of 17 years, Lena hosted the first Black radio show (1931). The radio station of course did not make it known she was a black woman. Her love of piano and music made her want to share it with whomever listened. The colour barrier did nothing to stop her. At the age of 22, in 1936, she went to the YWCA and tried to join. They turned her away and told her if she wanted to join, she would have to enroll five other black women. She returned the next day with ten black women. Nothing could hold her back when she put her mind to it. In the year of 1959, she made a decision that would affect Black people nationally. Lena was responsible, indirectly via politics, for having the colour barrier lifted on the CP Hotels nationally.
Constance Timberlake, front right, led the protest and was arrested in Fairyland Park. They sang Freedom songs before being taken to jail.
Dr. Constance (Hector) Timberlake
Saint John, NB
Constance Timberlake was born in Saint John, New Brunswick and grew up on Spar Cove Road. She was one of nine children of Thelma and Gordon Hector, who provided their children with an abundance of love, pride and a sense of high self esteem. Gordon's goal was to make sure that all his children were well educated.
As a young girl, Constance was working at Simms paint brush manufaturer on Simms Corner and realized that she wanted more. She left her job and moved to the US and attended University to become a teacher, but became so much more. Constance Hector Timberlake of Voorhees, NJ, was a professor emeritus at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, and Director of Grants Development Research for a US congressman in New Jersey.
An article in The Kansas City Star, dated January 10th, 1994 mentions one of the historical momets when Timberlake led a demonstration as head of the Kansas City Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality. The event happened on August 21, 1963, when 16 Black and White protestors entered Fairyland Park, bought tickets for amusement rides and then lay on the ground when seven police cars arrived. Black persons were not allowed routinely at the amusement park. "White patrons acted badly," said Constance Timerblake,"They threw stones at us. The language was frightening. And I'm being polite."
Police arrested Timberlake and her colleagues on charges of disturbing the peace and took them to jail. The demonstration came just a week before the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now famous " I have a Dream" speech in Washington.
Saint John, NB
Constance Timberlake was born in Saint John, New Brunswick and grew up on Spar Cove Road. She was one of nine children of Thelma and Gordon Hector, who provided their children with an abundance of love, pride and a sense of high self esteem. Gordon's goal was to make sure that all his children were well educated.
As a young girl, Constance was working at Simms paint brush manufaturer on Simms Corner and realized that she wanted more. She left her job and moved to the US and attended University to become a teacher, but became so much more. Constance Hector Timberlake of Voorhees, NJ, was a professor emeritus at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, and Director of Grants Development Research for a US congressman in New Jersey.
An article in The Kansas City Star, dated January 10th, 1994 mentions one of the historical momets when Timberlake led a demonstration as head of the Kansas City Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality. The event happened on August 21, 1963, when 16 Black and White protestors entered Fairyland Park, bought tickets for amusement rides and then lay on the ground when seven police cars arrived. Black persons were not allowed routinely at the amusement park. "White patrons acted badly," said Constance Timerblake,"They threw stones at us. The language was frightening. And I'm being polite."
Police arrested Timberlake and her colleagues on charges of disturbing the peace and took them to jail. The demonstration came just a week before the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now famous " I have a Dream" speech in Washington.
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Mary Matilda (Tilly) Winslow - (1885- 1963)
Woodstock, NB Tilly was born in Woodstock New Brunswick and considered the first Black woman to attend and graduate from the University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton. Mary entered UNB in 1901 and graduated with honors in 1905 with a BA in classics. Miss Winslow had to seek employment outside the province, being unable to obtain teaching positions in NB Schools. Miss Winslow found a teaching position in Nova Scotia but eventually moved to the United States where she married and became a music teacher and eventual Dean of the Normal Department at Central College in Alabama. |
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Anna Minerva Henderson (1887-1987):
First Canadian-Born Black Woman to Publish a Book of Poetry (1967)
Saint John, NB
Anna Minerva Henderson was born in Saint John to William R. Henderson, an African American Civil War veteran who moved to New Brunswick, and Henrietta Leake, who was born at Kingsclear, York County, N. B. Mr. Henderson worked as a barber and his wife as a school teacher. After obtaining her teaching certificate, Anna Minerva Henderson taught briefly in the Black community in Nova Scotia. In 1912, after completing a business program, she wrote the federal civil service exam for clerical workers and scored one of the top marks. This began a 33-year career in Ottawa, where she worked as a stenographer for the Dominion Land Branch of the Department of the Interior and later for the Immigration Board of the Department of Mines and Resources. At this time there were few visible minority people working for the federal government. During her years in Ontario she wrote poetry and contributed a column to the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. Her poems were published in Canadian Poetry Magazine and an anthology of poetry from 1937 to 1939. Ms. Henderson retired from the civil service in 1945 and worked in a law office in Saint John for three years before moving to Washington, D.C. where she was employed at the American University. In 1967, Canada’s centennial year, she self published, at Fredericton, a “chaplet” or small book containing 22 poems. Her publication Citadel made both Canadian and New Brunswick literary history. At the time she was 80 years of age. This lover of books and the written word passed away in 1987 and was buried at Saint John’s Fernhill cemetery, with her parents.
First Canadian-Born Black Woman to Publish a Book of Poetry (1967)
Saint John, NB
Anna Minerva Henderson was born in Saint John to William R. Henderson, an African American Civil War veteran who moved to New Brunswick, and Henrietta Leake, who was born at Kingsclear, York County, N. B. Mr. Henderson worked as a barber and his wife as a school teacher. After obtaining her teaching certificate, Anna Minerva Henderson taught briefly in the Black community in Nova Scotia. In 1912, after completing a business program, she wrote the federal civil service exam for clerical workers and scored one of the top marks. This began a 33-year career in Ottawa, where she worked as a stenographer for the Dominion Land Branch of the Department of the Interior and later for the Immigration Board of the Department of Mines and Resources. At this time there were few visible minority people working for the federal government. During her years in Ontario she wrote poetry and contributed a column to the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. Her poems were published in Canadian Poetry Magazine and an anthology of poetry from 1937 to 1939. Ms. Henderson retired from the civil service in 1945 and worked in a law office in Saint John for three years before moving to Washington, D.C. where she was employed at the American University. In 1967, Canada’s centennial year, she self published, at Fredericton, a “chaplet” or small book containing 22 poems. Her publication Citadel made both Canadian and New Brunswick literary history. At the time she was 80 years of age. This lover of books and the written word passed away in 1987 and was buried at Saint John’s Fernhill cemetery, with her parents.
Measha Brueggergosman
Fredericton, NB
Measha Brueggergosman is a Canadian soprano who performs both as an opera singer and concert artist. She has performed internationally and won numerous awards. Her recordings of both classical and popular music have also received awards.
Spouse: Markus Brügger
Education: University of Toronto
Albums: Dead Man Walking, I've Got a Crush On You, Night Dreams, So Much To Tell, Extase, Wesendonck-Leider/Orchestral Music, Surprise
TV Shows: 2007 East Coast Music Awards
Awards: Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year - Vocal or Choral Performance, Gemini Award for Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series
Fredericton, NB
Measha Brueggergosman is a Canadian soprano who performs both as an opera singer and concert artist. She has performed internationally and won numerous awards. Her recordings of both classical and popular music have also received awards.
Spouse: Markus Brügger
Education: University of Toronto
Albums: Dead Man Walking, I've Got a Crush On You, Night Dreams, So Much To Tell, Extase, Wesendonck-Leider/Orchestral Music, Surprise
TV Shows: 2007 East Coast Music Awards
Awards: Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year - Vocal or Choral Performance, Gemini Award for Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series
Bernice (Peters) Moshett
Saint John, NB
First and only Black Certified Psychiatric Attendant at the West Saint John Mental Hospital.
Saint John, NB
First and only Black Certified Psychiatric Attendant at the West Saint John Mental Hospital.
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Miss Betty Riley
Saint John, NB Miss Betty Riley of Saint John was both a pioneer in being one of few female producers, not to mention Black and she produced the very first all black television program. Her television program, "Black Is," dealt with issues that the Black community faced and was aired every week in Montreal. |
Nancy Morton
Saint John, NB
The Trial of Nancy Morton vs. Capt. Caleb Jones in 1800, played an important role in the abolition of slavery in New Brunswick. Nancy was a slave and Caleb Jones was her master. After escaping, Nancy was brought to court in attempt to gain her freedom. Nancy was represented by Ward Chipman and Samuel Denny Street who were both very well recognized lawyers at the time. Although unsuccessful in gaining her freedom and forced back into slavery for fifteen years, once Nancy's case was brought before the Supreme Court the decision was split which marked the unofficial decline in the popularity of slavery in New Brunswick. The court could not prove that slavery existed or did not exist making the ownership of slaves of little value to people.
Saint John, NB
The Trial of Nancy Morton vs. Capt. Caleb Jones in 1800, played an important role in the abolition of slavery in New Brunswick. Nancy was a slave and Caleb Jones was her master. After escaping, Nancy was brought to court in attempt to gain her freedom. Nancy was represented by Ward Chipman and Samuel Denny Street who were both very well recognized lawyers at the time. Although unsuccessful in gaining her freedom and forced back into slavery for fifteen years, once Nancy's case was brought before the Supreme Court the decision was split which marked the unofficial decline in the popularity of slavery in New Brunswick. The court could not prove that slavery existed or did not exist making the ownership of slaves of little value to people.
Mary Louise McCarthy
Mary Louise McCarthy, the president of NBBHS, was involved in a human rights suit against an Ontario Shopper's Drug Mart. When Mary Louise walked into the Shopper's in Toronto to buy mouthwash she left with much more than what she initially went to the store for. Mary Louise was accused of shoplifting after placing her bookbag on the floor in the store to retrieve a label of a recommended product that she was looking for. Mary Louise was demanded to open her bag by a store employee. Although Mary Louise refused to open her bag, the employee dug through her bag, finding nothing, and did not apologize for her false accusation. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruled that McCarthy had been singled out by the employee because she is a black individual. Overall, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled she was targeted as a shoplifter because she is black therefore Shoppers Drug Mart had been ordered to pay Mary Louise $8,000 after .
Mary Louise McCarthy, the president of NBBHS, was involved in a human rights suit against an Ontario Shopper's Drug Mart. When Mary Louise walked into the Shopper's in Toronto to buy mouthwash she left with much more than what she initially went to the store for. Mary Louise was accused of shoplifting after placing her bookbag on the floor in the store to retrieve a label of a recommended product that she was looking for. Mary Louise was demanded to open her bag by a store employee. Although Mary Louise refused to open her bag, the employee dug through her bag, finding nothing, and did not apologize for her false accusation. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruled that McCarthy had been singled out by the employee because she is a black individual. Overall, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled she was targeted as a shoplifter because she is black therefore Shoppers Drug Mart had been ordered to pay Mary Louise $8,000 after .