Black Canadian Curriculum – ETFO – 2014

Viola Desmond Timeline

July 6, 1914 Born Viola Irene Davis in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of 

James Davis, a self-employed barber and businessman, and Gwendolyn 

Irene Johnson, a homemaker.

1924 (?) When she was refused admittance to Nova Scotia’s hairdressing school 

because of her race, Desmond was forced to move to Montreal, then 

New York City, and eventually Atlantic City, New Jersey, to complete her 

training. 

Date (?) She returned to Halifax where she married Jack Desmond and opened her 

first salon. She later opened a school to train other beauticians.

November 8, 1946 In New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, while waiting for her car to be repaired she 

took in a movie at the local Roseland Theatre, which was segregated with 

a main floor for white patrons and a balcony for black patrons. Unaware 

of the segregation policy, Desmond proceeded to the main floor. She was 

ordered by the manager to go to the balcony.

November 9, 1946  Viola Desmond refused, the manager called the police. Viola was charged 

with tax evasion for her failure to pay the proper tax for a downstairs ticket. 

She was, according to prosecutors, one cent short.

November 10, 1946  Desmond was convicted and fined twenty dollars and court costs.

January 1947Viola launched an appeal with the support of the Nova Scotia Association 

for the Advancement of Colored People (NSAACP) she was defeated 

when the Nova Scotia Supreme Court dismissed the application for judicial 

review.  

1954 Nova Scotia dismantled its segregation laws.
1965  Viola Desmond died while on a visit to New York City.  She was 50.

1964-1967 The relocation of Africville 

1969 The Seaview African United Baptist Church at Africville was demolished at 

night to avoid controversy. 

January 2, 1970 The last Africville home was demolished.

May 2005 The introduced of a bill in the provincial legislature called the Africville Act 

called for a formal apology from the Nova Scotia government, a series 

of public hearings on the destruction of Africville, and the establishment 

of a development fund to go towards historical preservation of Africville 

lands and social development in benefit of former residents and their 

descendants.