Rosemary Brown: First Black Woman Elected To Provincial Legislature
Born in Jamaica, Rosemary Brown moved to Canada to attend McGill University. In 1955, she moved to BC to complete a graduate degree in social work. Here, she became the first Black woman to be elected to the provincial legislature and was the first woman to run for a federal party leader.
A Brief History Of Rosemary Brown
Rosemary Brown was born Rosemary Wedderburn on June 17, 1930 in Kingston, Jamaica to a politically minded family.
In 1951 she immigrated to Canada where she attended McGill University and the University of British Columbia to study social work. While studying, she faced sexism and racism when applying for jobs, seeking housing, and fitting in at university in general.
Following graduation, Rosemary got involved in the British Columbia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, as well as Voice of Women. She was also a regular panelist for People In Conflict and helped found the Vancouver Status of Women Council.
In 1972, encouraged by members of the Vancouver Status of Women Council, Rosemary ran to become a New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate. That same year, she won in her riding, making her the first Black woman to sit on the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
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She served in the legislature until 1986 when she retired. During her time with the Legislative Assembly, she ran for leader of the NDP. While she did not win, she helped break colour barriers and came in second, ahead of 3 other candidates. As an advocate for woman’s rights, she also started a committee to remove sexism from educational material and worked to improve services for seniors, immigrants, those with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups.
Following her retirement, she was the CEO of MATCH International Women's Fund and helped found the Canadian Women’s Foundation in 1991, which advocates for gender equality across Canada. She also worked as a professor of women’s studies at Simon Fraser University and the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. All the while, she traveled and gained support for projects that helped advance women’s rights in developing countries.
Rosemary Brown’s Accolades
Because of her work advocating for women and people of colour, Rosemary received many awards and distinctions throughout her life. Some highlights include:
- 15 honourary doctorates
- The Order of British Columbia
- The Order of Canada
- The 1973 United Nations' Human Rights Fellowship
Commonly Asked Questions About Rosemary Brown
Rosemary Brown was a Canadian politician, social activist, and advocate for women's rights and racial equality. She was the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada and the first woman to run for the leadership of a federal political party.
Rosemary Brown was born on June 17, 1930.
She was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
Rosemary Brown passed away from a heart attack on April 26, 2003.
She was 72 years old at the time of her passing.
She was a social worker, politician, and activist who fought against racism and sexism in Canada. She served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) and played a key role in advocating for women’s rights, immigrant services, and racial equality.
Rosemary Brown broke racial and gender barriers in Canadian politics. She was a trailblazer for women and people of colour, helping to shape policies that promoted equality and social justice. Her contributions to human rights, women’s rights, and education had a lasting impact in Canada and beyond.
She worked tirelessly to eliminate sexism in education, improve services for marginalized communities, and create more opportunities for women in politics. She also helped establish the Canadian Women’s Foundation and led international initiatives supporting women's rights.
As a Black woman in Canada during the mid-20th century, she faced significant racism and sexism. She struggled to find housing and employment as a student and later encountered resistance in her political career. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her advocacy for equality and justice.
Rosemary Brown had a number of accomplishments including:
1. Became the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada (1972)
2. Ran for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party (1975), finishing second
3. Helped found the Vancouver Status of Women Council and the Canadian Women’s Foundation
4. Served as CEO of MATCH International Women’s Fund
5. Received multiple honours, including the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia
She lived in Jamaica during her early years and later moved to Canada, residing in Quebec and British Columbia.
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