Some of what was said Thursday about putting Viola Desmond on $10 bill

OTTAWA – Viola Desmond, who was arrested in 1946 after refusing to leave a whites-only section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre, has been chosen to be the first Canadian woman to grace the front of a Canadian banknote.

Some of what was said Thursday about the decision:

“I never, ever dreamed of this. And there’s so many people, so many people I have to thank, the people that voted for her, the majority, the people in Canada to who, who voted for Viola to be on the banknote. Here she was with these other people, other women … an architect, and a poet, and a writer, and there’s Viola. And I think to myself, ‘What has happened here?’” — Wanda Robson, Desmond’s sister.

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“It’s a big day to have a woman on a banknote, but it’s an especially big day to have your big sister on a banknote. Our family is extremely proud and honoured.” — Robson.

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“Businesswoman, community leader, and courageous fighter against racism. A fantastic choice.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter.

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“That story, what she did nine years before Rosa Parks, is now out there…. It’s important because there are many African Canadians who have contributed to this country, and this story was not being told.” — Tony Ince, Nova Scotia’s minister of culture and heritage.

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“She represents courage, strength and determination — qualities we should all aspire to every day.” — Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

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“It’s a very positive thing in terms of honouring someone who was a trailblazer, and until recently was forgotten within the Canadian struggle for human rights.” — Prof. Isaac Saney, a senior instructor of black studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

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“There’s a tremendous example there for all Canadians about strength of character and sense of justice. With Viola, there was virtually nobody behind her, except a handful of activists in Halifax.” — Graham Reynolds, a professor at Cape Breton University.

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