8/9/2019 - Jean Augustine Park Dedication

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RSVP - Councillor Grimes office at 416.397.9273 or councillor_grimes@toronto.ca

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone,Councillor Mark Grimes

and Members of Toronto City Councilcordially invite you to join the

Honourable Jean Augustineat a ceremony to officially dedicate:

The Jean Augustine ParkDate: Thursday August 26, 2010

Time: 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Location: 2113 Lake Shore Blvd. West

In 1993, Canadian politician Jean Augustine became the first Black woman elected to the Parliament ofCanada, representing Etobicoke Lakeshore as their Member of Parliament. As a result of two motionsAugustine initiated as an MP, February was declared nationally as Black History Month and the FamousFive Statue received a home on Parliament Hill, giving recognition to the contributions of Women andBlacks in Canada.

Ms. Augustine represented Etobicoke Lakeshore in the House of Commons, from 1993 to 2006and duringher tenure was instrumental in acquiring funding from the Federal Government to make the Toronto LinearPark System, and in particular the Mimico Linear Trail, adjacent to the new Jean Augustine Park, a reality.

An energetic advocate of social justice, Ms. Augustine, a mother of two daughters, is the recipient ofnumerous awards--including the 1994 Canadian Black Achievement Award, the YWCA Woman ofDistinction and the Kaye Livingstone Award for support of issues relating to Black women.

Born in St. George's, Grenada, Jean Augustine was a qualified teacher when she arrived in Canada in1959, but had to work as a domestic and shoe clerk before earning an Ontario Teacher's Certificate. Aftercompleting a Master of Education degree, Ms. Augustine became a school principal in South Etobicoke andsupported many social causes through her involvement in boards such as that of The Hospital for SickChildren. She also served as the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada.

The Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment was launched in June 2008 at theTechnology Enhanced Learning Building at York University. Jean Augustine has made a special gift ofhistorically significant items to York University including her parliamentary chair, robes and portrait from theHouse of Commons, photos, commemorative items and gifts.

In 2010 Jean Augustine achieved another first, by becoming the first Grenadian-born to be conferred withCanada's highest national honour, the Order of Canada. She was amongst 57 Canadians named byGovernor-General Michalle Jean to receive this country's highest civilian award.

The Honourable Jean Augustine is currently a resident of Ward 6 in the Humber Bay Shores Communitywhere the park named after her is located.

The re-naming will be commemorated with an unveiling of a new park sign at 5:00 p.m.

Refreshments will be served.