Latest News from the Nova Scotia Women’s History Society — October 2023
Dear members of Nova Scotia Women’s History Society and all those interested in our work,
The Society has been hard at work in the past few years, and important changes and projects are on the horizon. As the newly elected Chair of the Society, it is my great pleasure to work with an experienced and diverse Board, representing many communities, many professional and personal backgrounds, and many generations! Together we are ready to bring new Women’s History projects to Nova Scotia.
Six years after the unveiling of “The Volunteers/Les Bénévoles” on the Halifax waterfront, we are very pleased to be preparing an important public history project for one of Truro’s traditional African-Nova Scotian communities, locally referred to as “The Marsh.” A series of panels honouring four African-Nova Scotian women who led change in education will be installed in Truro in the spring of 2024. In December of 2023, we will be unveiling the art for the panels, created by African Nova Scotia artist from North Preston, Letitia Fraser, as well as the artwork of Bruce Wood, which depicts iconic Zion Baptist Church organist Vera Clyke. Stay tuned for more details!
The Society is also hard at work developing mechanisms to support more women’s history projects, so that we can extend our reach beyond our board. This new approach will be in development, with the intention of beginning a new program in 2025 to support women’s history projects in Nova Scotia. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), or keep an eye on this website for more information.
I wanted to express my gratitude for the support from the membership for my taking the role of Chair. Having served on the Board from 2016-2021, I have seen and been a part of wonderful projects coming to fruition and have felt the impact that good public history has. Now, more than ever, thoughtful, carefully planned and delivered public history is profoundly important. I am so grateful for Kirby Ross’s hard work as Chair, sustaining the Society through the challenging pandemic years and keeping us moving forward with ideas and projects. I am truly humbled and honoured to lead the incredible group of women who make up our current Board and am thrilled with the projects we will be bringing forward over the next year.
I would like to thank all who have supported our work and invite any interested in getting more involved through Board or committee work, to contact us through the website email.
Anne Marie Lane Jonah
Chair, Nova Scotia Women’s History Society