Beverley Salmon facts for kids

Beverley Noel Salmon (born Bell) was a very important Canadian activist and politician. She was born on December 25, 1930, and passed away on July 6, 2023. Beverley Salmon worked as a city councillor in North York and then for Metro Toronto from 1985 to 1997. She was recognized for her amazing work with two special awards: the Order of Ontario in 2016 and the Order of Canada in 2017. These awards are among the highest honours in Canada.

Early Life and Learning

Beverley Salmon was born in Toronto on December 25, 1930. Her father, Herbert Bell, came from Jamaica. Her mother, Violet Bryan, was a fifth-generation Canadian.

Beverley started training to be a Registered Nurse in 1950 at Wellesley Hospital. She then earned a special certificate in Public Health Nursing. This was from the University of Toronto in 1954. From 1954 to 1956, she worked as a Victorian Order Nurse (VON) in Toronto. In 1956, she married Dr. John Douglas Salmon. They had four children together.

Helping the Community

Beverley Salmon was a key person in starting the Toronto Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR). This group began in 1975. It was created because of growing racial tensions in Toronto.

She worked closely with other members of the UARR. These included Dr. Wilson A. Head and Jean Augustine. Beverley was part of the Media Committee. She also served on the Board of Directors.

Her Career and Activism

After her nursing training, Beverley Salmon began her career in Detroit, Michigan, in 1956. While living there, she heard speeches from leaders of the civil rights movement. One of these leaders was Martin Luther King Jr.. These speeches inspired her greatly. When she returned to Toronto, she became very involved in civil rights work.

Beverley Salmon was the first chairperson of the Toronto Board of Education's Black Liaison Committee. In this role, she helped create anti-racism training for teachers. She also worked to include more Black history in school lessons. She was also a co-founder of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. Later, she became the first Black female commissioner for the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Beverley Salmon first tried to become an elected official in 1976. She ran for alderman in Ward 8 on the North York Council. She did not win that election.

She ran again for councillor in Ward 8 in 1985. This time, she won! She became Toronto's first Black female City Councillor. She also served on the Toronto Transit Commission Board from 1989 to 1994. She was the Vice Chair of the Board from 1991 to 1994.

Beverley Salmon continued to serve as a Metro Toronto councillor. She retired from this role in 1997.

Later Life and Legacy

Beverley Salmon passed away in Toronto on July 6, 2023. She was 92 years old. Her work helped make Toronto a more fair and understanding place.

Awards and Honours

Beverley Salmon received many awards for her important work.

• In 1995, she won the Excellence in Politics award. This was at the African Canadian Achievement Awards.
• In 1999, she was added to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities's honour roll.
• She received Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
• She was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2016.
• She became a member of the Order of Canada in 2017.