Years before Rosa Parks famously refused to give up a bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, Viola Desmond took a similar stand against racial segregation in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
On November 8, 1946, she was arrested for refusing to move from the "whites-only" section of a movie theater. Her heroic act inspired Black community leaders and made her a symbol of courage in the fight against inequality. This story of Viola's life is based on rare interviews with her sister Wanda Robson, who spent her life championing her sister's story and was successful in getting Viola a posthumous pardon that recognized she was innocent of any crime. From their childhood in Nova Scotia to Viola's career as a teacher in a segregated school and, later, her role as a pioneer in Black beauty culture, young readers are introduced to the girl and the woman who went on to become the face of the civil-rights movement in Canada.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets | 2023 | Commended
Children’s Book Council & National Council for Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People | 2024 | Commended
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award | 2024 | Short-listed
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | 2024 | Commended
Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards - Nonfiction | 2025 | Nominated
Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award | 2025 | Nominated
American Library Association (ALA) Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 | 2025 | Commended
BC Books for Schools | 2023 | Commended
Download the The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond Chapter Sampler.
Customizable Text and Layout
Text and layout can be adjusted for text size and colour, background colour, and layout to support individual reading preferences.
Described Images
Non-text content includes descriptive text, such as alt-text and long descriptions.
Table of Contents and Structured Navigation
Page elements are labelled and structured in a meaningful sequence.
Screen Reader and Text-to-Speech (TTS) friendly
Structured for screen readers and text-to-speech tools, including assistive technologies and browser plugins.
Bookmarks and Highlights
Add bookmarks and save highlighted passages.
ARIA Roles
ARIA roles clarify semantic elements of this ebook, making it easier for screen readers and assistive technologies to understand the contents of the book.
“This colourfully illustrated biography tells [Desmond’s] courageous story with firsthand recollections from her younger sister Wanda Robson…A solid, well-sourced addition to biographies on Black women civil rights leaders.”
“Informed with the late Wanda Robson’s memories of her admired sister Viola, Kehoe writes what will be the go-to biography for this age level for a long time to come…All public libraries and middle schools will want to add this biography to their collections. More than a biography of a social justice activist, it exposes the context of racial discrimination in Nova Scotia and Canada, and it highlights the entrepreneurial success of a trailblazing Black woman and her rich legacy. Highly recommended.”
“[Viola Desmond] inspired black people to keep fighting for their rights in Canada. A great read about this civil rights icon who now appears on the Canadian ten-dollar bill.”
“A welcome addition to the titles about Black Canadians… Wanda [Robson’s] memories and reflections on Viola’s life bring a personal perspective to the story.”
“The style of narrative nonfiction will appeal to students who enjoy learning through story. Additionally, the book expands readers’ critical thinking, social responsibility, and positive personal and cultural identity. Curriculum concepts such as Canadian injustices, racism, segregation, and history feature prominently.”