Yvonne Atwell facts for kids

Yvonne Atwell was born in 1943. She is a Canadian who has worked to help her community, served as a politician in her province, and managed parts of a hospital. She is famous for being the first Black woman ever chosen to be a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

Early Life and Learning

Yvonne Atwell was born in East Preston, Nova Scotia, a community in Nova Scotia, in 1943. When she was young, she faced unfair treatment because she was Black. This made her feel upset, so she left Nova Scotia in 1960. She lived in Toronto for 24 years. During this time, she studied at Centennial College in Ontario. Later, she also studied at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Her Career and Public Service

Working in Hospitals and Community

Yvonne Atwell worked for 20 years at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. She started in different roles and eventually became the Head of Patient Services. This meant she was in charge of making sure patients received good care and support.

In 1984, she moved back to Nova Scotia. She had inherited land from her father there. From 1993 to 1998, she was the first Managing Director of the African-Canadian Employment Clinic in Halifax. This clinic helped Black Canadians find jobs and build their careers.

Becoming a Politician

In 1996, Yvonne Atwell tried to become the leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. She did not win that election. However, in 1998, she ran for a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. This is like the provincial parliament where laws are made. She won the election for the area called Preston.

By winning, she made history! She became the first Black woman to be elected as a MLA in Nova Scotia. An MLA is a person who represents their community in the provincial government. She served in this role until the election in 1999. In that election, she lost her seat to David Hendsbee. While she was an MLA, she spoke for the opposition party on issues related to women's rights and services for businesses and consumers.

Continuing to Help Others

After her time as an MLA, Yvonne Atwell continued to work for important causes. From 1999 to 2004, she worked at Dalhousie University. She was a Policy Advisor and Diversity Officer at the Maritime Centre of Excellence for Women's Health. This role involved helping to create fair policies and promote diversity, especially for women's health.

She has also been involved with many other groups that help people. She was the Executive Director of the Community Justice Society and the Black United Front. She also led the African Canadian Caucus of Nova Scotia. She was part of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. She also served on the boards of the George Washington Carver Credit Union and the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.

Awards and Recognition

Yvonne Atwell has received several important awards for her hard work and contributions.

• In 2002, she was given the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. This medal honors Canadians who have made significant contributions to public life.
• In 2004, she was added to the Rev Dr William Pearly Oliver Wall of Honour. This special recognition is given by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia to celebrate important Black Nova Scotians.
• On March 1, 2020, the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party renamed one of their special funds. It is now called the Yvonne Atwell Diversity in Leadership Fund. This was done to recognize her strong leadership and how she always encouraged people from different backgrounds to become politicians.
• On February 22, 2022, a painting of Yvonne Atwell was shown for the first time at Province House in Halifax. Province House is where the Nova Scotia government meets. This portrait honors her and remembers her historic role as the first Black woman elected in Nova Scotia. Her portrait is displayed with paintings of former leaders of Nova Scotia.