Happy Birthday on September 7 to Jean Augustine from the entire community.
One of the icons of our community Jean Augustine is turning 87 this month.
Jean plans to have a big party to mark the occasion on September 7 with a charity fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W .
There will be an Augustine Award of Excellence Presentation and screening of Iconography: Mungal Patasar.
The former 13-year MP for Etobicoke Lakeshore is described as a Canadian legend, and was the first Black woman to be elected to Parliament, under Prime Minister Jean Chretien. She held office from 1993 to 2006.
She introduced a motion, which was passed, to recognize February as Black History Month to the House of Commons in 1995.
Jean Augustine being sworn into office as an MP in 1993.
A former high school principal, she had long and successful career working in education, government, and social causes.
An activist, Jean devoted herself to making improvements in society and sought out others in the community who she could work with to push for causes together.
She is the founder of the Jean Augustine Centre for the Young Women’s Empowerment that has helped hundreds of teens to cope with life and become better persons. The Centre, on Portland Street, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
Jean Augustine in front of a park named after her and her many deeds to help others.
The Centre has a variety of free courses from culinary classes to financial literacy to leadership and to STEM. There is a focus on helping girls succeed by way of community, mentorship, and self-development and provides an opportunity for them to learn, build relationships and gain confidence together.
Jean has contributed to many milestones in Canadian history: such as the founding of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival in 1967; she was the National President of the Congress for Black Women of Canada in 1987; Chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority in 1988 and Ontario’s first Fairness Commissioner.
Jean is active in the community and shows up at dozens of events and still involved in the Jean Augustine Centre for Women’s Empowerment.
She the recipient of several Honorary Degrees and dozens of awards, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and being appointed to the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario.
Her legacy continues with the school and parks bearing her name and mostly from serving our community. Thank you Jean and hope that you see more birthdays to come.
For more information or tickets visit caribbeantalesfestival.com