Viola desmond biography

Viola Desmond (–65) was a Canadian businesswoman and civil libertarian who in defied the segregation policy of a movie theater in Nova Scotia, taking a seat in the whites-only section. Her refusal to accept an act of racial discrimination provided inspirational to a later generation of Black persons in Canada. Viola Irene Desmond (July 6, – February 7, ) was a Canadian civil and women's rights activist and businesswoman of Black Nova Scotian descent. In , she challenged racial segregation at a cinema in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, by refusing to leave a whites-only area of the Roseland Theatre. Early years First steps Professional growth Public recognition Peak period Later years Public interest Professional activity Media attention
Viola Desmond built a career and business as a beautician and was a mentor to young Black women in Nova Scotia through her Desmond School of Beauty Culture. In , Viola Desmond challenged racial discrimination when she refused to leave the segregated Whites-only section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.