This week’s two pieces are in celebration of International Women’s Day 2019!
Chelsea Tucker – Editor
A special Mount Saint Vincent University alumna, Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is a living example of Nelson Mandela’s declaration, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
Humble beyond belief, the Senator exemplifies a quiet strength that is both motivating and awe-inspiring. “I am a social worker who just happens to be a senator,” Thomas Bernard said.
Having begun her educational journey at the MSVU in the Academy at the age of 15, the Senator returned to impart her wisdom at last year’s Girl Conference.
“Education is really one of the tools for our empowerment,” Thomas Bernard explained. “It’s one of the tools to help us find our voice and help us find ways to use our voice. That’s what my Mount Saint Vincent education gave to me, it gave me a foundation to move from, to build on.”
After her time at MSVU, Senator Thomas Bernard went on to add a degree in psychology and sociology to her tool box. She then continued her educational journey with as a graduate degree in social work. In her words, it was her belief that education can be used to take action that shaped her decision to choose this line of work.
“The education wasn’t just educating for self, it was really what do you do with that education, and social work became a really good platform,” Thomas Bernard shared.
A pioneer in many ways, she has been a professor at Dalhousie School of Social Work since 1990. She is the first African Nova Scotian to hold a tenure track position at Dalhousie University, where she was also promoted to full-time professor. After breaking the glass ceiling locally, the Senator continued to our nation’s capital in 2016 where she was the first African Nova Scotian woman appointed to the Senate.
“Whatever bills we’re studying, whatever legislation is moving through, whatever studies that we’re doing, I always try to bring that social justice lens, and I try to do it from the position of intersectionality,” Senator Thomas Bernard said. A natural humanitarian, her views on social justice are a point of pride for her in the red chamber.
“Senators are supposed to be representing the under-represented,” she shared. “It’s very empowering to be able to do that from the Senate.”
Nevertheless, she recognizes the power these groups have within themselves: “Now I believe the under-represented can speak for themselves, and I happen to be from one of those under-represented groups.”
Over the years she has received numerous awards and recognition – including the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada – that is not what makes her a role model to many.
Senator Thomas Bernard has managed to have a notable impact on her community and those around her, inspiring others to take action. This rings particularly true for marginalized groups, including women and African Nova Scotians.
When asked to share her advice to future women leaders she said this: “In looking at planning your career, don’t think so much ‘What do I want to be?’, but focus more on ‘What do I want to do?’, ‘What do I want to contribute?’, ‘How do I want to make my mark on this community and this society?’. Then say, from what place can I do that.”
Having strong female role models like Senator Thomas Bernard proves that breaking restrictions is key to raising strong, young women. Women who are proud of their diversity and their individuality are those who will better our communities to shape the next generation.
Let us continue to celebrate the Wanda Thomas Bernard’s of the world – past, present, and future.
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” – Unknown author
Mylène Pinet
5,786 beds, 17,880 meals and 220 hours of programming.
These are just three of the many accomplishments achieved by the non-profit organization Adsum for Women and Children (Adsum)in 2017-2018. Adsum, initially called Adsum House, opened their doors in 1983 to women in need of shelter and safety from the Halifax streets.
Since its inception, the organization has expanded its resources to provide shelter, housing programs and services – including a clothing and household items shop – to women, children, and transgender people. With the help of donors, Adsum’s doors remain open to those seeking support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Although routine donations and gifts are essential to Adsum, events like their annual Mystery Art Show & Saleprovide an opportunity for the greater community to get involved. On March 27, 2019, Adsum will join forces with emerging and established Maritime artists to host their 12thannual evening of art and giving at the Argyle Fine Art Gallery in Halifax, N.S.
According to Adsum executive assistant, Sarah Carrier, participants purchase an affordable $25 ticket and receive a randomly selected numbered paintbrush at the door. Carrier, who has coordinated the event for the past several years, explains that guests are then able to purchase a piece of art in the numerical order of their paint brush number for $100. The choices are endless. Paintings, ceramics, pottery, jewelry and wood working are among the previous and upcoming options of art pieces available.
“It’s a mystery who the artist is until after you purchase your piece,” says Carrier. “It’s about falling in love with a piece of art, not necessarily because you know who the artist is, but just because you love the art.”
“My favourite part about the Mystery Art Show & Sale is how art speaks to different people. There could be a lot of different people in the room supporting the event and they all leave happy with what they’ve purchased,” explains Carrier.
Adsum’s guiding principles are to create hope, security, self-esteem and choice. The Mystery Art Show & Sale is an outward representation of these values. When guests select a piece of art to display proudly in their homes, they are reminded that their purchase helps to provide someone else with a safe and secure home.
Not only does promotion through social media and print media incite attendance, it also creates community awareness of Adsum for Women and Children and their work. Digital platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Adsum’s website, and Snapd Halifax have created a snowball effect regarding the event. Guests that attend the Mystery Art Show & Sale, will also learn about other annual Adsum fundraisers, including the Annual Successful Canadian Women’s Dinner, Ride for Refuge, and Females Fore Females Golf Day.
The word “adsum” means “I am here.” Attending events like The Mystery Art Show & Sale ensures that the hundreds of people who rely on Adsum’s services are recognized, seen, and supported. A night of sparkling wine, food, live music, and art is a simple and fun way to contribute to your community. Also, social media promotion encourages maximum turnout seeing as people who are unable to attend can still contribute by sharing the event on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. To quote Adsum’s website, “when you give a homeless woman a key to secure housing, it unlocks much more than just a door.”
For more information on The Mystery Art Show & Sale event, or to donate to Adsum for Women and Children, visit www.adsumforwomen.org.