Mayann Francis facts for kids

Mayann Elizabeth Francis (born February 18, 1946) is a special leader who worked to protect people's rights. She was the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, a province in Canada. She was the first Black Nova Scotian and the second woman to hold this important job.

Early Life and Education

Mayann Francis was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She grew up in a place called Whitney Pier. Her father, George A. Francis, was a respected leader in the African Orthodox Church. Mayann went to Saint Mary's University. She also studied at New York University.

A Career Helping Others

Mayann Francis had a long career helping people in different ways. From 1999 to 2006, she was the director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. This group works to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has their rights protected.

She also served as Nova Scotia's provincial ombudsman from 2000 to 2003. An ombudsman is like a special helper who investigates complaints from people about government services. Mayann Francis was the first woman to have this job in Nova Scotia. Before these roles, she worked for the government of Ontario. She also held senior positions at Dalhousie University and in a lawyer's office in New York.

Community Involvement

Mayann Francis has always been involved in her community. She was a member of United Way/Centraide, which helps local communities. She also served on the board of governors for what is now Cape Breton University. She was part of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Nova Scotia's Voluntary Planning Board.

She has received many awards for her great work. These include a Harry Jerome Award and a Golden Jubilee Medal. She is a member of the African Orthodox Church.

Serving as Lieutenant Governor

On June 20, 2006, Mayann Francis was chosen to be the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. The Governor General Michaëlle Jean appointed her. Mayann Francis officially started her role on September 7, 2006. This was a historic moment because she was the first Black Nova Scotian to hold this position. She was also the second woman to become Lieutenant Governor of the province.

In May 2008, she received a special degree called a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University. This award recognized her dedication to helping others. She finished her term as Lieutenant Governor on April 12, 2012. John James Grant became the next Lieutenant Governor.

After Her Service

Even after her time as Lieutenant Governor, Mayann Francis continued to speak out on important issues. In 2016, she talked about an issue called racial profiling. This is when someone is treated unfairly or suspected of something wrong just because of their race. She shared that she herself had experienced this while shopping. She wanted to make sure people understood that this was a real problem.

Arms of Mayann Francis

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