Jody Nyasha Warner

Viola Desmond was one brave woman! Now come on here, listen in close and I’ll tell you why …

In Nova Scotia, in 1946, an usher in a movie theater told Viola Desmond to move from her main floor seat up to the balcony. She refused to budge. Viola knew she was being asked to move because she was black. In no time at all, the police arrived and took Viola to jail. The next day she was charged and fined, but she vowed to continue her struggle against such unfair rules.

Viola’s determination gave strength and inspiration to her community at the time. She is an unsung hero of one of Canada’s oldest and most established black communities. Like Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, who many years later, in 1955, refused to give up their bus seats in Alabama, Desmond’s act of refusal awakened people to the unacceptable nature of racism and began the process of bringing an end to racial segregation in Canada.

Reviews
"Rudnicki’s vivid, dramatic art intensifies the danger that Desmond’s stubborn determination brought her, and it lends itself well to the warm recounting of the unnamed narrator.” — Booklist

“Varying perspectives heighten the emotional intensity, as do the excellent layout and design. This unique offering will be of particular value when studying women’s or black history.” — School Library Journal

“Desmond’s story should prove eye-opening to readers whose civil rights references are limited to American figures.” — Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5-9.

An afterword provides a glimpse of African Canadian history.

The African Canadian community in Nova Scotia is one of Canada's oldest and most established black communities. Despite their history and contributions to the province the people in this community have a long experience of racially based injustice.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"