Close-up portrait of a Black woman with vintage hairstyle and patterned shirt looking at the viewer.

(a) Short Biography Viola Desmond was born on July 6, 1914, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She grew up in a large family as one of ten children and experienced racial segregation throughout her life. Black Canadians faced limited opportunities, especially in education and business. To receive proper training, Desmond studied in the United States, since Black students were not allowed in most Canadian beauty schools. After returning to Nova Scotia, she became a successful Black businesswoman and beautician. She opened her own beauty school and created a line of beauty products specifically for Black women. On November 8, 1946, Desmond’s life changed when she was arrested for refusing to leave the whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Her quiet act of resistance became a key moment in Canadian civil rights history. (b) Ways She Broke Cultural Barriers Viola Desmond broke cultural and racial barriers in multiple ways. First, her refusal to leave the segregated movie theatre seat directly challenged racist laws and led to her wrongful arrest. At a time when Black Canadians were expected to remain silent in the face of injustice, Desmond stood up for her rights. Second, as a Black female entrepreneur, she defied both gender and racial expectations by building a thriving business in a field that mostly excluded women of colour. Third, her legal battle brought national attention to the issue of racial discrimination in Canada. Her bravery and determination See more