N.S. activist honoured with stamp
Nova Scotia journalist and human rights champion Carrie Best will be honoured with a commemorative stamp from Canada Post this week.
The New Glasgow-born Best was a pioneer in the struggle against injustice for African Nova Scotians and others who were treated unjustly.
Born in 1903, she lived her life as a poet, author, journalist and activist until her death in 2001.
In the 1940s, Best and her son Calbert were arrested for sitting downstairs in the caucasian section at a theatre in New Glasgow. They were both charged with disturbing the peace, convicted and fined.
In 1946, Best had established The Clarion, one of Nova Scotia’s first newspapers for Black Canadians. Later that year, Viola Desmond mistakenly sat in a section of a theatre that was reserved for caucasian people — Desmond was arrested, convicted and fined.
Best and Desmond both lobbied the provincial government to repeal its segregation laws, which happened in 1954.
In 1954, Best’s radio program, The Quiet Corner, hit the air.
She wrote a column on human rights for the Pictou Advocate from 1968 to 1975 and often spoke out against poor conditions on reserves and discrimination against black property owners.
Best became a member of the Order of Canada in 1974 and served on the task force on the Status of Woman. She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Medal in 1977, several honourary doctorates and many other awards.
'When she spoke to you, you listened'
Henderson Paris, a municipal councillor in New Glasgow and a friend of the Best family, said Best's reputation was well understood by both the white and black communities.
"They certainly knew who Dr. Best was, her presence, her stature was very evident here in Pictou County, and when she spoke to you, you listened," said Paris.
"And they knew if Dr. Carrie Best came to see you, she had something on her mind and you better prepared to listen and you better be prepared to make some changes."
An image of her commemorative stamp can be viewed on the Canada Post website.
An open house and tribute to Best will be held Tuesday at noon in New Glasgow at Glasgow Square.
People are invited to see an enlargement of the stamp at the Glasgow Square Theatre.