Media Releases

Thursday, October 27, 2016 (Halifax, NS) – Dalhousie University congratulates Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, on her appointment to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Dr. Bernard has been a faculty member with Dalhousie’s School of Social Work since 1990. Her research and teachings have focused on anti-oppression and cultural diversity. Dr. Bernard served as the faculty’s Director from 2001-2011, and is currently serving as Dalhousie’s Special Advisor, Diversity and Inclusiveness.

“My interest in being part of the Senate is to continue to do the work I’ve been doing around equity and diversity and inclusiveness,” says Dr. Bernard. “Equity for all is my primary goal in life. To be able to enter the Senate with that perspective and contribute to the country is an incredible privilege, one that I know I will be accountable for.”

A Dal alumnus, Dr. Bernard is the first African Canadian to hold a tenure-track position at Dalhousie University and to be promoted to full Professor. Currently serving as chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Dr. Bernard is also a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers. Her work and dedication has been recognized through many honours and awards including the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award, the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada.

“It has been a privilege to work with Dr. Bernard and to learn from her incredible expertise and experience in our efforts to better support diversity and inclusiveness at our university,” said Dr. Richard Florizone, President of Dalhousie University in a memo to the Dalhousie community.  “I have no doubt she will be as passionate and dedicated a voice in our country’s upper house as she has been at Dalhousie.”

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Media Contacts:
Lindsay Dowling
Communications Officer
Dalhousie University
Lindsay.dowling@dal.ca
902-494-4189