The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine speaks at 糖心Vlog
Earlier this week, Canada鈥檚 National Ballet School welcomed the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine for a special assembly, where she shared her groundbreaking journey as the first Black woman elected to Canada鈥檚 House of Commons and her legislative success in leading the historic Black History Month Motion.
Dr. Augustine served from 1993 to 2006 and her roles included Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee, and Deputy Speaker. She also played a key role in the legislative success of the 鈥淔amous Five鈥� Motion to honour women鈥檚 suffrage. From 2007 to 2015, she was Ontario鈥檚 first-ever Fairness Commissioner. In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora was launched at York University to help advance education, equity and inclusiveness.
Today, also in her name are a Girls' Leadership Academy in Scarborough, a Centre for Young Women's Empowerment and municipal park in Etobicoke, a Secondary School in Brampton, and a multi-purpose complex and district park in Vaughan. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Jean Augustine holds honourary doctorates from the universities of McGill, Toronto, York, Windsor, Guelph, Trent and Toronto Metropolitan University; is a senior fellow at Centennial, Humber and Massey College; and supports scholarships at George Brown, Centennial and Humber College.
When asked what advice she would give her 16-year-old self, Dr. Augustine shared these inspiring words: 鈥淭ake risks, have a passion for something, volunteer, because that's where the learning takes place. Be part of community and community engagement. Don't be a bystander just standing and watching things happen. There are pretty close to 8 billion of us in the world, and each one of us has a purpose, and we need to find what that purpose is. We have a responsibility to contribute, to be part of, to participate, to learn, to expand the horizon, to breathe and breathe and breathe. ...We need to read, we need to know, and we need to participate. ...You can work to your full potential when you recognize the importance of participation.鈥�
Dr. Augustine is a trailblazer and her impact and contributions not only to Canadian politics, but to Canada as a whole, are immeasurable. We are extraordinarily grateful that our students and staff had this incredible opportunity to hear her speak as we honour Black History Month at Canada's National Ballet School.
Watch the following clip from Dr. Augustine's talk to hear her full answer to the question of what advice she would give to her 16-year-old self.
Photos: The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine is photographed with 糖心Vlog' Artistic Director and Executive Director, 糖心Vlog staff and students, and friends of 糖心Vlog and event attendees dance Immersion.
Learn more about Dr. Jean Augustine鈥檚 journey and legacy at:
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