This social worker and educator worked tirelessly for decades on this passion. When Ontario proclaimed February as Black History Month in 1993, this proclamation still required Rosemary's annual administrative push to keep the notion relevant. That said, December of '95, in an effort to note “the diversity of the Black community in Canada and its importance in the history of this country," The House of Commons unanimously adopted Dr. Augustine's motion. It was February 16, 2016, over twenty years of determination on Rosemary's part, that Bill 159: An Act to proclaim the month of February as Black History Month, received royal assent, and Ontario became the third province to pass Black History Month legislation.

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As if that were not enough, Ms Sadlier secured August 1st as Emancipation Day, municipally, in 1995 and, provincially, in 2008. A national declaration came into effect, March 2021, twenty six years after the municipality.

Post his October 19, 2012 death, Rosemary Sadlier secured a national day of observance for the  Honourable Lincoln Alexander. Also an individual of many firsts including the first Black Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and the first black person to serve in a viceregal position in Canada as Lieutenant Governor, Lincoln Alexander Day was proclaimed as January 21.

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The list is long of everything this Social Justice Advocate accomplished. All of which speak to Ms. Sadlier receiving the Order of Canada - and many other recognitions. 

To my amazement, Ms. Sadlier generously eked out time, for me, from her whirlwind schedule this past February. I positively gushed over her continued endeavours like consulting on a Heritage Minute about Chloe Cooley. Chloe's acts of resistance in Upper Canada during the late 1700's, ironically, led to Canada's first legislation limiting slavery. The Act is ironic because it helped end indenture for Europeans but not slavery of captured Africans! Ms Sadlier also consulted on the Discovery Channel's 4 part series on the Underground Railroad as well as participated in the documentary, "Oscar Peterson: Black + White available for viewing on Crave and HULU. 

Rosemary Sadlier was not as impressed as I, though. Fueled by the ideal of living a purposeful life, Rosemary believes, there is still much to do as Children of African heritage continue to be misrepresented and marginalized by a system that is supposed to help them be their best selves. Having already developed or contributed to African Canadian curriculum, resources and national exhibits, Rosemary's focus and intention remains, realizing a curriculum infused with the African Diasporic experience - not a "stand alone" course or an "add on" class in grade 12. 

This author of seven books (and multiple articles) strives to expand the telling of stories related to the people of our past. She encourages people of the African Diaspora to know our story well enough to share, if we would like it told. Rosemary suggests reading historical recordings and speaking to elders to help gather information. Her Canadian Best Seller, "The Kid's Book of Black Canadian History." is a wonderful example of where to begin. In fact, all her books are wealthy resources amassed just for us.    

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Speaking of story, it shocks me that we have yet to read or watch, The Rosemary Sadlier story. A book or movie with which Rosemary agreed needs to be created. She even mused that a narrative of her life "might be quite surprising to some people."

I must say, I look forward to experiencing Rosemary Sadlier's interpretation of 'quite surprising to some people!'

For more information, just google her name.