Bernice Redmon broke barriers as Canada’s first Black public health nurse and the first Black nurse to be appointed to the Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada. Photo courtesy of https://www.bernicecarnegie.com/carnegie-family.
To honour the legacy of Black communities during Black History – Black Futures month, the Faculty of Nursing is featuring nursing pioneers and difference-makers, past and present. A series published on its website will share their successes, sacrifices, and victories.
First up is Bernice Redmon, Canada’s first Black public health nurse and the first Black nurse appointed to the Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada.
Born in Toronto in 1917, Redmon had to pursue her education in the United States, as Black women were denied admission to Canadian nursing schools at the time.
On her return to Canada in 1945, Redmon began her career in Sydney, Nova Scotia, where she became the first Black nurse to practise in public health. Her dedication and passion for patient care led to her appointment to the Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada.
Her accomplishments inspired organizations to advocate for equality for Black Canadians in health-care education and in the workplace, opening the door to nursing education in Canadian schools.