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Photo above: (left) Warren Salmon, Founder of 1st Friday’s, (center) Hon. Jean Augustine, recipient of the Jackie Robinson Fortitude Award and (right) Dewitt Lee, Founder of the Toronto Community Advisory Board.
TORONTO, Ontario — The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, former Ontario fairness Commissioner, is the most recent recipient of the Jackie Robinson Fortitude Award for her excellence in politics.
The Jackie Robinson Fortitude Award, founded by Dewitt Lee, who has partnered with Warren Salmon, President of First Fridays, to monthly recognize a leader in a particular area of expertise.
The Hon. Jean Augustine has accomplished so much in her storied career, in both education and politics, is a shining example of what happens when hard work and perseverance meets opportunity.
Augustine, born in Grenada, came to Toronto for university and ended up changing Canada by becoming the first African Canadian woman to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons and the first to serve in the federal Cabinet.
Her accolades reach far beyond just acknowledgement from Canada and Grenada; she received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire from the Queen for her services to education and politics.
In his presentation speech, Lee said, “She has set the benchmark and raised the bar high for future leaders of this country, and her dignity and dedication to serving others will always be appreciated”.
Last year’s recipient for the award in politics went to Beverley Salmon, Toronto’s first female African-Canadian Councillor, who was also in attendance and on hand to congratulate Augustine on receiving her award.
