Donald Willard Moore facts for kids

Donald Willard Moore (1891–1994) was a brave Black Canadian activist. People also called him "Uncle Don." He worked hard to change unfair immigration laws in Canada. He is famous for leading groups that helped make Canada's laws fairer for everyone.

Donald Moore's Early Life

Donald Willard Moore was born in Saint Michael, Barbados. This happened on November 2, 1891. His father, Charles Alexander Moore, was a cabinetmaker. His mother was Ruth Elizabeth Moore. Donald learned to be a tailor in Barbados.

In 1913, when he was 21, Donald moved to New York City. Soon after, he moved to Montreal, Canada. He tried to work as a tailor there. But because of racism, he could not find work in that field. Instead, he became a pullman porter. This was one of the few jobs Black men could get in Canada back then.

Education and New Beginnings

Donald Moore came to Toronto in the spring of 1913. He enrolled at Dominion Business College. There, he took courses to prepare for dentistry school. He wanted to become a dentist.

In 1918, after saving enough money, he started dentistry at Dalhousie University. This university is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sadly, he got tuberculosis during his studies. He had to leave school and his dream of becoming a dentist. Donald spent 18 months in a hospital getting better. After he recovered, he returned to Toronto.

In 1920, Donald started working as a tailor. He worked at Occidental Cleaners and Dyers. Later, he saved enough money to buy the business. He became very involved in the local Black and West Indian communities. He was the secretary of the Black Community Church of Canada. He also opened the church gym for Black youth. This allowed them to do activities like rollerblading and boxing. These activities were often not available to them due to racism.

Donald's business became important to the local West Indian community. It was where the Toronto chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League began. He ran his business until he retired in 1975.

Fighting for Fairness

Donald Moore was a strong leader in the Black Canadian community. In the 1920s, he met Marcus Garvey. Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Moore was inspired by Garvey. He became a founding member of the UNIA's Toronto chapter. His dry-cleaning business also became a meeting place for the UNIA.

In 1944, Moore helped start the first Black credit union. He also played a key role in forming the West Indian Progressive Association. This group later became the West Indian Trading Association.

Starting the Negro Citizenship Association

In 1950, Moore met Bromley Armstrong. They talked about the unfairness Black people faced. In 1951, Moore, Armstrong, and others started the Negro Citizenship Association (NCA). They did this because the Canadian government was making immigration rules stricter for Black people. Moore became the NCA's first director. His dry-cleaning business was the NCA's first office. The NCA worked to challenge unfair immigration laws. These laws stopped Black West Indians from legally entering Canada.

The Ottawa Delegation

On April 27, 1954, Donald Moore led a group to Ottawa. This group included people from the NCA, unions, and other community groups. They went to protest Canada's unfair immigration rules. These rules favored white immigrants from certain British Commonwealth countries. Black immigrants were often denied entry. The government claimed they "could not adjust to Canada’s rigid climate." They also said Black immigrants could not "assimilate well into the society."

The group presented a detailed report to Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Walter Edward Harris. The report showed how harmful these laws were to non-white immigrants. It also suggested changes. The report said: "The Immigration Act since 1923 seems to have been purposely written and revised to deny equal immigration status to those areas of the Commonwealth where coloured peoples constitute a large part of the population. This is done by creating a rigid definition of British Subject... This definition excludes from the category of ‘British subject’ those who are in all other senses British subjects, but who come from such areas as the British West Indies, Bermuda, British Guiana, Ceylon, India, Pakistan, Africa, etc…Our delegation claims this definition of British subject is discriminatory and dangerous."

During the meeting, Minister Harris asked Moore if he was including Chinese and East Indian people in his demands. Moore bravely replied, "Yes."

It took eight more years for big changes to happen. But the NCA kept working hard. Finally, in 1962, the government of John Diefenbaker made immigration policies fairer. After this, Moore helped arrange partnerships with Barbados and Jamaica. These partnerships helped young women from those countries come to Canada. They worked as nurses and domestic workers. After one year, they could become permanent residents.

Later Activism

In 1956, Moore opened a community center called Donavalon Centre. It was for local West Indians. The center hosted many activities. It was also home to the Negro Citizenship Association and the United Negro Improvement Association. Donavalon Centre was a place for community members to meet. They held dances and tea parties there.

Moore also worked with important leaders like Ontario Premiers George A. Drew and Leslie Frost. He also spoke with federal cabinet minister Jack Pickersgill. He pushed for better rights and access to housing and jobs for Black Canadians.

Later Life and Legacy

Donald Moore was married to Kay Moore for almost 30 years. After he retired in 1975, he enjoyed gardening and photography. He was a member of the North York Horticultural Society. He even received an award for his service in 1984.

Even after retiring, Moore stayed involved in Black-Canadian causes. The Donald Willard Moore scholarship was created for students at George Brown College. His old dry-cleaning business also continued to help with fundraising.

Donald Moore passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 22, 1994. He was 102 years old. He is buried at Sanctuary Park Cemetery in Etobicoke.

Awards and Honors

Donald Moore received many awards for his activism. He was honored for his work in the Black Canadian community. Some of his awards include:

• City of Toronto Award of Merit (1982)
• Ontario Bicentennial Medal (1984)
• Harry Jerome Award of Merit (1984)
• Barbados Service Medal (1986)
• Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship (1987)
• Order of Ontario (1988)

Most notably, Moore received the Order of Canada on October 23, 1989. This is one of Canada's highest honors. In 2000, the City of Toronto honored Moore. They placed a special plaque at 20 Cecil Street. This was the former meeting place for the Negro Citizenship Association.

Donald Moore Community Services Inc. is an organization that helps immigrants from Barbados and the Caribbean. It was renamed in honor of Moore's work. Moore had supported this group since it started. Since 2013, this organization holds an "annual Donald Moore Appreciation Brunch." They honor people of Caribbean heritage who follow Moore's principles.

Moore's friend and fellow activist, Bromley Armstrong, described him well. He called Moore “the leader, the gentle giant, the man with the iron fist in a velvet glove.” This shows how strong and kind Donald Moore was.