Long-term care home at Finch Avenue East named after Bernice Redmon, Canada's first Black nurse
Scarborough Community Council approved naming the new long-term care home at 4610 Finch Avenue East in honour of Bernice Redmon, Canada's first Black nurse who broke barriers in healthcare despite severe discrimination in Canada and the United States. Three community organizations and Redmon's niece testified in support, emphasizing the historical significance for Black representation in public institutions and culturally responsive care for seniors.
From the floor
“Taiu is an African name, a Swahili name, which means be in good health. And it's within that spirit that I'm supporting the naming of long-term care in the name of Bernice Redman who is a trailblazer for us Canadians and Torontonians as well.”Speaker not identified
“Representation matters. It inspires young people, honours those who have come before us, and strengthens the connections between communities and the services designed to support them.”Speaker not identified
“Sometimes you don't know until later the effect of what it means to be the first person to do something and the toll it takes on you emotionally to do that. Canada is not ready to accept black nurses in training here. She had to go to the US to do it. And when she went to the US, segregation was full-blown.”Speaker not identified
“This is a historic moment and I'm so glad to finally get to meet you Bernice in person. She told me the incredible story of her aunt and it just blew my mind how much adversity she had to overcome.”Councillor Jamaal Myers (Ward 23)
Also in this item
• The Redmon and Carnegie families are among Toronto's first Black families, with multiple family members becoming pioneers in their fields; Herb Carnegie, Bernice's brother, was one of Canada's first Black professional hockey players and has a community recreation centre named after him on Finch Avenue
• Bernice Redmon had to leave Canada to pursue nursing training because Canadian institutions would not accept Black nurses, and upon returning had to retain lawyers to gain entry into the field
The journey
Decision
The long-term care home at 4610 Finch Avenue East will be named Bernice Redmon Long-Term Care Home
Watch it happen
Jump to this item in the meeting video
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