Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, Senator for Nova Scotia

Lifting While I Lead: Social Work Leadership in Action with Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard

October 5, 2023 —

The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, Senator for Nova Scotia presents: “Lifting While I Lead: Social Work Leadership in Action,” as part of SENgage, Senate of Canada’s youth outreach program.

Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing the province of Nova Scotia and her hometown of East Preston.

Senator Bernard champions issues impacting African Canadians and people living with disabilities. She is particularly invested in human rights, employment equity, and mental health.

Through her involvement in community projects, her social work career, her time with Dalhousie School of Social Work, and now her work in the Senate, Senator Bernard has maintained a deep dedication to social justice and racial justice. Senator Bernard advocates for reparations for the historical and continued anti-Black racism impacting the lives of African Canadians.

The Faculty of Social Work welcomes Senator Bernard next week for an online presentation.

Event details:
Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CDT
Zoom link: https://umanitoba.zoom.us/j/65572626670?pwd=b0xwTERnWFdJTkVNTFJpaEpsQ1hLUT09
Meeting ID: 655 7262 6670
Passcode: 822511

For more information, please contact Monica Batac at monica [dot] batac [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Amplifying Children’s Voices: MSW Student Kristen Letkeman’s Dedication to Policy Research and Advocacy

Kristen Letkeman, a Master of Social Work student, has been awarded the 2023-24 Francine Lansdown and Gerison Lansdown Graduate Student Essay Award by The Landon Pearson Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights at Carleton University. This award, emphasizing critical thinking and exploration of children's rights issues, recognizes Letkeman's essay on the intersection of climate change, neoliberalism, and social work in safeguarding child rights. Her research sheds light on pressing issues facing today's children, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners.

Nominate an outstanding social worker, social activist or social work organization

The Faculty of Social Work is now accepting nominations for the Helen Mann 50th Anniversary Award. The award recognizes a person or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the social work profession and/or to the field of social work in Manitoba. Every year, the award is presented to the recipient(s) during the Faculty of Social Work’s Homecoming celebration in September. Nominations are considered by the Faculty of Social Work Homecoming Committee.