Anglicans in public life: The complex journey of Mayann Francis
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article39988
- Author
- Swift, Diana
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2014 January
- Author
- Swift, Diana
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2014 January
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 1
- Page
- 11
- Notes
- Mayann Elizabeth Francis "was the 31st lieutenant governor of her province -- and the second black person in Canada and the first black person in Nova Scotia to hold the vice-regal office". Francis was raised in Sydney's working-class Whitney Pier neighbourhood. She is a "devout Anglican and eucharistic minister at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral in Halifax". As Lieutenant Governor "in 2010 Francis invoked royal prerogative and granted Canada's first posthumous pardon to Viola Desmond, a black Nova Scotian who, in 1946, insisted on sitting in the whites-only section of a New Glasgow movie theatre. Desmond was arrested and ludicrously charged with ticket-related tax fraud, a battle she lost in court". "Of the current state of racism in Canada, Francis says" 'While I believe racial discrimination still exists here and elsewhere, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and celebrate the gains we have made. At the same time, we must acknowledge and understand that there is still work to be done'. For Francis, being a trailblazer requires help. 'I always rely on my faith, prayer and Christian teachings', she says. 'You have to have something to give your that strength and that courage and that energy to keep moving'. Prayer is the fuel that keeps her going".
- Subjects
- Francis, Mayann (Mayann Elizabeth), 1946-
- Lieutenant-Governors - Nova Scotia
- Desmond, Viola (Viola Irene), 1914- 1965
- Racism - Canada
- Racism - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada