Jean Augustine with MP James Maloney and some of the hundreds of girls who passed through the Jean Augustine Centre on its 10th Anniversary.
Former politician and community activist Jean Augustine is turning 87 in a few months and has no plans of slowing down.
More than 100 area residents showed up on June 15 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment which has helped hundreds of young girls aged from seven to 17 succeed in life.
Augustine founded the Portland Street Centre in 2014 to provide a space where girls and young women ‘could receive support and create a brighter future for themselves.’
The Bell Telephone Historical Garden Courtyard, on Birmingham Street, was filled with some of the girls and their parents who celebrated the anniversary with games, food, music and fun.
Community activist and former politician Jean Augustine with plaque presented by MP James Maloney.
“Our work is only possible thanks to the individuals, organizations and companies that believe in empowering girls and young women,” Augustine said to loud cheers.
She told the crowd she was turning 87 in September and a large party is being organized.
“As we reflect on our 10th Anniversary we reflect on the incredible girls and young women who have passed through the Centre,” Augustine said.
She promised ‘to continue fostering the confidence and potential of girls and young women for years to come.’
Jean Augustine and MP James Maloney cutting a 10th Anniversary cake surrounded by supporters.
The hundreds of girls and young women are taught financial literacy, STEM programs, self-improvement and about non-traditional jobs.
Augustine was presented with an anniversary plaque by MP James Maloney for her hard work and decades of service.
Maloney said he has known Augustine for decades and she is his mentor.
“Nobody here is more of a VIP than Jean,” he said after a cake-cutting ceremony. “The federal government will always be a partner with the Jean Augustine Centre.”
Jenae, 15, attended the Centre for two years and said it helped her in school and in life.
One of the vendors at the anniversary event at the Bell Historical Building.
“They have extremely helpful programs and it gave me more confidence as I grow older,” Jenae said.
Augustine was a Catholic School Board principal of three schools in Etobicoke before running for politics.
The former teacher was an MP for the federal riding of Etobicoke Lakeshore from 1993 to 2006 having won the seat twice. She was the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chretien from 1994 to 1996.
Jean Augustine in her action-packed political days. She turns 87 in September.
She also served as the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Woman in Cabinet and was the first Black woman to hold a Cabinet position.
Augustine was elected Assistant Deputy Speaker by her fellow parliamentarians in 2004 and will be remembered for spearheading the introduction of Black History Month in Canada.
She also served with the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and was the National President of the Congress of Black Women in Canada.
She was appointed as Chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority and was Ontario’s first Fairness Commissioner.
The former politician also sat on many boards including York University’s Board of Governors, the Hospital for Sick Children the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Toronto’s Harbourfront Corporation.