Yvonne Atwell facts for kids

Yvonne Atwell, born in 1943, is a Canadian leader. She has worked as a community helper, a politician, and a hospital manager. She made history as the first Black woman elected to the Nova Scotia government.

Early Life and Education

Yvonne Atwell was born in East Preston, Nova Scotia in 1943. She grew up there. Later, she moved away to find jobs. She went to college at Centennial College (Canada) in Ontario. She also studied at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Career Highlights

Yvonne worked for 20 years at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) in Toronto, Ontario. She started as an administrator. She eventually became the Head of Patient Services. This meant she managed services for patients. She moved back to Nova Scotia in 1984.

From 1993 to 1998, she was the first Managing Director. This was for the African-Canadian Employment Clinic in Halifax.

Entering Politics

In 1996, Atwell tried to become the leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. She was not successful then. But in 1998, she won a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. This is Nova Scotia's government. She represented the area called Preston.

This was a very important moment. She became the first Black woman MLA in Nova Scotia. An MLA is a person elected to the government. She served until the 1999 Nova Scotia general election when she lost her seat. During her time as an MLA, she spoke for women's issues. She also worked on business and consumer services.

After Her Time in Government

From 1999 to 2004, Atwell worked at Dalhousie University. She was a Policy Advisor and Diversity Officer. She helped with policies and promoted diversity.

Yvonne Atwell has also held many other important roles:

• She was the Executive Director of the Community Justice Society.
• She led the Black United Front.
• She was President of the African Canadian Caucus of Nova Scotia.
• She chaired the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative. This was at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.
• She was on the small business committee for the Metropolitan Board of Trade.
• She was on the executive board for the George Washington Carver Credit Union.
• She was a director for the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.

Awards and Recognition

In 2002, Yvonne Atwell received an award. It was the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. This award recognized her work in public life.

In 2004, she was honored by the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia. She was added to the Rev Dr William Pearly Oliver Wall of Honour.

On March 1, 2020, the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party renamed a fund. It is now called the Yvonne Atwell Diversity in Leadership Fund. This honors her leadership. It also recognizes her encouragement for diverse people to join politics.

On February 22, 2022, a portrait of Yvonne Atwell was revealed. It is displayed at Province House in Halifax. This portrait honors her historic role. It celebrates her as the first Black woman elected in Nova Scotia. Her picture is shown with portraits of former leaders.