Melanistic Magazine Vol. 2 - I AM WOMAN

OUR WOMEN IN HISTORY

By: Greg Davis

Violet King, Couresy of Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary

“I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being” - Maya Angelou

It is commonly said that it’s hard to know where one is going, if one doesn’t know where they are from. The struggle of Black women in our society is real and often we forget or are unaware of those that came before, easing the burden. That void in knowledge is a manifestation of institutionalized marginalization that has hindered many. As a man, I cannot fully comprehend the depths of it however, I am a student of history and thus I thought to apply my love for peering into the past, to learn about some of Canada’s female torchbearers. Women who moved mountains and forged the tools for those of today to continue building with, shattering ceilings and stereotypes, while demonstrating that intelligence, courage, love and knowledge-of-self that makes you the unique queens of this world.

VIOLET KING

A descendant of the African American migration toAmber Valley in the early 1900’s, Violet King was the first Black female lawyer in Canada, the first Black person to graduate with a law degree from the University of Alberta and the first Black person to be admitted to the Alberta Bar. Her career traversed from practising law in Calgary to becoming the first woman named to a senior management role within the American national YMCA, holding the title of Executive Director of the national council.

LULU ANDERSON

In May 1922 Lulu Anderson went toEdmonton’s Metropolitan Theater to buy a ticket for the show “The Lion and the Mouse”; she was denied entry base on her race.

She decided to bring a lawsuit before the Canadian courts but ultimately lost the case as the judge in his ruling Metropolitan Theatre, Couresy of Archives and stated, “management could refuse

Special Collections, University of Calgary

admission to anyone upon refunding the price of the ticket”. Her case files were destroyed in 1971, however it represents one of the pioneer moments in the Canadian fight for civil rights for the Black community.

SHIRLEY ROMANY

Shirley Romany is recognized as one of matriarchs of the hair care industryin Edmonton. For over 40 years she has been one of the city’s top stylist for women in the Black community and founder of the iconic Ebony & Ivory Hair Salon. Her influence in the industry is felt across Alberta, with many top stylists emanating from under her tutelage.

HATTI MELTON

Getting a job was a herculean task for a woman of colour during the 1940’s.Minorities in Canada, faced similar forms of discrimination as those in the States. Along came Hatti Melton and the birth of the local institution: Hatti’s Harlem Chicken Inn. From the mid 1940’s to the late 1960’s this restaurant served as a gathering point of people of colour who both lived in and visited Edmonton. However, Hatti’s also served as a place where Black women could find work and develop the skills needed for economic growth and independence.