Born in Toronto, of West Indian immigrant parents, Leonard Braithwaite was raised in the Kensington Market area during the Great Depression and attended Harbord Collegiate.

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Joined the RCAF in 1943 – served Overseas. Graduated University of Toronto [B.Comm.1950], Harvard University [M.B.A.1952], Osgoode Hall Law School, Gold Key [LL.B.1958]. Order of Canada 1997, Order of Ontario 2005.

 

In 1963 he was first Black person elected to a legislature in Canada  and  in 1999 Braithwaite was the first Black lawyer elected to be a member of the Governing Council of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

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In 1964 Braithwaite spoke out at Queen’s Park that some rural, coloured-only schools were still legally segregating Black children. His work led to the abolishment of the 114 year-old Ontario Law permitting segregation.

 

Braithwaite fought for gender equality – 1966 – questioned the Ontario Legislature on why student pages working at Queen’s Park were all male.

 

Later, female pages were appointed. Braithwaite’s life-long actions in many fields have helped effect change and opened doors for many aspiring minority Canadians.

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