I am saddened to report the passing of Daniel G. Hill, awarded the Order of Canada in 2000, the first director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario Ombudsman and the founder of the Ontario Black History Society.
Born in Independence, Mo., Hill became tired of the inequities facing African-Americans such as his treatment following his service to his country during W.W.II and his experiences upon entering into an interracial union. Coming to Toronto, he still faced difficulties in finding housing. His subsequent work addressed the injustices that he had experienced or observed.
Following his ground breaking work with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and after serving as Ombudsman, Hill founded with Wilson O. Brooks, and others, the Ontario Black History Society in 1978. The OBHS was successful in having the City of Toronto proclaim February as Black History Month by 1979. Twenty years following the publication of his thesis, Negroes in Toronto, Hill wrote The Freedom Seekers: Blacks in Early Canada in 1981 a seminal work that continues to be referenced since it was the first book on African-Canadian history. The material that was uncovered during his research for Freedom Seekers helped to produce the photographs used in the preparation of the first African-Canadian travelling exhibit, Blacks in Early Ontario, and was a resource for the OBHS to create the first African-Canadian historical film, A Proud Past, A Promising Future. Using this film or slides, Hill began the tradition of going into schools and offering Black history presentations which continues to this day. Many of the photographs form the historical collections of photos currently available at the OBHS. Under his direction, the OBHS also interviewed many Ontario residents, their oral histories inform researchers who access them at the OBHS office. An OBHS award, The Daniel G. Hill Community Service Award was created by the OBHS for outstanding contributors to society.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, and children Dan, Larry and Karen and several grandchildren. A memorial service will be announced - the funeral is to be a private event.
Rosemary Brown, born June 17, 1930, in Jamaica, came to study in Canada in 1950 and married and started a family on the West coast. She was an activist, feminist and a person of principle who ran for the leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada in 1975. She was the Executive Director of MATCH International, later headed the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and held a security sensitive position for Canada before her retirement from public life. However, a few years ago she spoke in Toronto for the Unique Lives and Experiences 1996 series and last year was honoured at the annual Black Business and Professional Association's Harry Jerome Awards. Ironically, at this year's Harry Jerome Awards, news of Brown's death was first rumoured then confirmed. Brown died suddenly on April 26th, 2003.
Weaned on politics and political debate, Brown was initially lured into public life because of concerns over health issues facing her own and others' children. She worked to make recommendations about labour issues affecting women. Further drawn into the women's movement, her activism broadened and deepened resulting in an invitation to run for politics. Securing a provincial Vancouver riding, she went on to raise issues of inequality facing women and visible minorities.
I was invited to her husband, Dr. Bill Brown's family reunion in Toronto not too long ago and Brown displayed the characteristics that had helped her win the hearts and minds of her constituents and her colleagues - she was fun (she loved to dance!) and charming, respectful and concerned about others, displayed genuine interest in the experiences of people, she showed her keen analytic mind and had a way of including everyone without regard to family kinship ties (in my case), place of origin or level of ability (she loved children facilitating energetic play between her grandson Jonathon and my son) Brown was a statesperson equally adept at matters of state or the day to day.
On behalf of the Ontario Black History Society, our condolences are extended to the family and friends affected by her passing.
(Her autobiography Being Brown, A Very Public Life was published in 1989 by Random House.)
By: Rosemary Sadlier
President, Ontario Black History Society
April 27, 2003
The Ontario Black History Society regrets to inform you of the passing of Audrey (nee Redmon) Carnegie, wife of Herbert H. Carnegie. She was 84 years old and died on Wed. August 27, 2003 at her home in Toronto.
Audrey Carnegie most recently was a strong supporter of the Future Aces programme developed out of the passion to achieve recognition for her husband, Herbert Carnegie - an accomplished hockey player (and golf enthusiast) who was never given the opportunity to compete in professional sport due to his colour. In lieu of flowers, a donation to FUTURE ACES would be appreciated.
Audrey Carnegie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Herbert, her children (2 of her children - Bernice and Rochelle joined her work with Future Aces), and other family including her brother Nathan Redmon, a former board member of the Ontario Black History Society.
By: Rosemary Sadlier
President, Ontario Black History Society
August 28, 2003
Ray Lewis was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1910. He was the first Black Canadian athlete to win an Olympic medal, winning the bronze medal in the 14x400m relay at the 1932 games in Los Angeles and in 1934, a silver medal in the 440 yards race at the British Empire Games. He worked as a porter for Canadian Pacific Railway for twenty years. In 1990, his athletic achievements were recognized with a spot on the Hamilton Wall of Fame in the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction. In March, 2001, he was awarded the Order of Canada.
I am saddened to report the passing of Daniel G. Hill, awarded the Order of Canada in 2000, the first director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario Ombudsman and the founder of the Ontario Black History Society.
Rosemary Brown, born June 17, 1930, in Jamaica, came to study in Canada in 1950 and married and started a family on the West coast. She was an activist, feminist and a person of principle who ran for the leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada in 1975. She was the Executive Director of MATCH International, later headed the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and held a security sensitive position for Canada before her retirement from public life. However, a few years ago she spoke in Toronto for the Unique Lives and Experiences 1996 series and last year was honoured at the annual Black Business and Professional Association's Harry Jerome Awards. Ironically, at this year's Harry Jerome Awards, news of Brown's death was first rumoured then confirmed. Brown died suddenly on April 26th, 2003.
The Ontario Black History Society regrets to inform you of the passing of Audrey (nee Redmon) Carnegie, wife of Herbert H. Carnegie. She was 84 years old and died on Wed. August 27, 2003 at her home in Toronto.
Ray Lewis was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1910. He was the first Black Canadian athlete to win an Olympic medal, winning the bronze medal in the 14x400m relay at the 1932 games in Los Angeles and in 1934, a silver medal in the 440 yards race at the British Empire Games. He worked as a porter for Canadian Pacific Railway for twenty years. In 1990, his athletic achievements were recognized with a spot on the Hamilton Wall of Fame in the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction. In March, 2001, he was awarded the Order of Canada.
