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The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine P.C., C.M., O.Ont., C.B.E.

Jean Augustine made history as the first Black Woman elected to Canada's Parliament, serving from 1993-2006. Her roles included Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister; Minister for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and Deputy Speaker.

Her legislative successes include both the historic Black History Month Motion, and the Famous Five Motion honouring women's suffrage.

From 2007 to 2015, she was Ontario's first-ever Fairness Commissioner.

In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora was launched at York University to help advance education, equity and inclusiveness.

Today, also in her name are a Girls' Leadership Academy in Scarborough; a Centre for Young Women's Empowerment and municipal park in Etobicoke; a Secondary School in Brampton, and a multi-purpose complex and district park in Vaughan.

She is a member of the Order of Canada and Commander of the Order of the British Empire; holds honourary doctorates from the universities of McGill, Toronto, York, Windsor, Waterloo, Guelph, and Trent; and supports scholarships at Centennial College, George Brown, and Humber College.

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