Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré facts for kids

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré (born March 10, 1942) is a very important Canadian judge. She made history by becoming the first Black judge in Quebec. She was also the first Black person to lead a law school in Canada. This happened at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law.

Early Life and Education

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré was born in Verdun, Quebec, in 1942. Verdun is now part of Montreal. Her parents came from Guyana.

She went to Marianopolis College for her studies. Later, she earned a law degree from the Université de Montréal in 1966. She also received a special doctorate degree from the University of Paris.

A Career of Firsts

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré became a lawyer in Quebec in 1969. She started practicing law in 1970. She also became a lawyer in Ontario in 1997.

During the 1970s, she taught law at two universities. She taught at the Université de Montréal from 1972 to 1976. Then, she taught at the Université du Québec à Montréal until 1991.

In 1990, she worked as an arbitrator for the Human Rights Tribunal of Quebec. An arbitrator helps people solve disagreements fairly.

Protecting People's Rights

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré worked to protect people's rights. From 1979 to 1983, she was part of Quebec's Office for Consumer Protection. This office helps make sure consumers are treated fairly.

From 1983 to 1985, she was a Commissioner for the Canadian Human Rights Commission. This group works to prevent discrimination and protect human rights across Canada. In 1985, she became the first leader of Quebec's Council on Cultural Communities and Immigration. This council helps new immigrants and different cultural groups.

Leading a Law School

From 1991 to 1995, she was the Employment Equity Commissioner of Ontario. In this role, she helped make sure everyone had fair chances at jobs. She worked with thousands of businesses in Ontario to achieve this.

From 1996 to 1999, she was the dean of the University of Windsor's law school. Being a dean means she was the head of the law school. This was another historic first for her.

In 1999, she was appointed a Judge of the Court of Quebec. She served in the District of Montreal.

Awards and Recognition

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré has received many important awards.

In 1991, she was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. This is one of the highest honors given by the province of Quebec.

She also received awards from groups like the Canadian Jewish Congress and the Canadian Bar Association. In 2008, she won the Quebec Human Rights Commission's Rights and Liberties Prize. This award recognized her long fight against discrimination. In 2021, she received the Medal of the Barreau de Montréal.

Inspiring Future Leaders

In 2013, the Université du Québec à Montréal created a special scholarship in her name. The Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré scholarship gives $3000 each year. It helps a law student who works to promote human rights, social justice, and equality. Sameer Zuberi was the first student to receive this award in 2014.

Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré has also received honorary doctorates. These are special degrees given to people who have achieved great things. She received them from the University of Ottawa in 1993, the Université du Québec à Montréal in 2001, and McGill University in 2018.