Wanda Thomas Bernard
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Wanda Thomas Bernard | |
|---|---|
| Canadian Senator from Nova Scotia | |
| Assumed office November 10, 2016 | |
| Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
| Appointed by | David Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1953 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada[1] |
| Party | Progressive Senate Group |
| Occupation |
|
Wanda Thomas Bernard CM ONS (born August 1, 1953) is a Canadian senator.
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]
