Two Dominicans living in Canada were last week named two of Canada’s 100 Most Influential Black Women of 2018 by 100ABCWOMEN.
Frances Delsol was recognized for her community service, leadership in community and her mentorship of young people in the Caribbean-Canadian and African-Canadian communities while Amah Harris, a retired school teacher is widely known for pioneering the field of Black Theatre in Canada.
Delsol, who is Dominica’s Trade and Investment Commissioner in Canada was also singled out for unparalleled efforts to aid Dominica; post the demise of the island after 2015 Tropical Storm Erika and the devastating 2017 Category-5 Hurricane Maria.
She is the Founding President of the Council of Caribbean Associations Canada and a Past President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association.
In 2016, Delsol, who was born and raised in Grand Bay, retired from Bell Canada as an Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing/Procurement.
She is the Communications Director for the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and serves in an advisory capacity with the Afroglobal Television network.
Delsol is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award from the Government of Canada, Honoris Causa from the National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada, Planet Africa Volunteer of the Year Award, Black Business and Professional Association Woman of Honor, OECS Award of Excellence, STAGG Volunteer Award, CDOA Award of Excellence among many others.
When asked by 100ABCWOMEN what her greatest accomplishment was, she stated without any doubt, “Motherhood.”
Her advice for the next generation is, “Honor the memories of those who fought and died so you could be here today. Stand up for what is right, not what popular and be an advocate for your community. Read. Learn. Teach!”
Harris co-directed Black Theatre Canada in the 1970’s, where she also served as a writer.
She is most often identified as an anti-racist advocate, innovative educator and champion of culture who fosters the Harmonious Coexistence of peoples.
She knitted education and theatre techniques into a fabric of cooperative action, using elements of participation, whether students or performers, children youth or adults, to actively engage with information, script development and performance.
At Gordon Brown Middle School where Harris taught, she worked with the Vice Principal the Young Women on the Move Club.
She chaired many committees, the highlight being the African Heritage Committee.
In the 1970’s Harris, who is Roseau and who taught at the Convent High School before migrating to Canada, found time to be a television actress playing lead roles for CBC, CTO, TVO among many others and has guest lectured at Ontario Universities.
Her accolades are lengthy including the John Holland Award, the Harold Award for Artistic Excellence, the CDOA Dominican of Distinction in Education, Caribana Arts Group Volunteer Recognition, and British Council Award in Dominica for Best Performance Commemorative Shakespeare Festival among many others.
When asked by the 100ABCWOMEN what her greatest accomplishment was, she indicated, “Being able with God’s Grace to grasp the true meaning of love and family”.
Her advice to the next generation is, “Be grounded in your cultural heritage. With God’s guidance build on that to make Canada the place you would like it to be.”
The Commonwealth of Dominica, Ontario Association extended its congratulations to both women.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica, Ontario Association is extremely proud of our two Accomplished Black Canadian Women who are in all aspects Dominicans of Distinction,” the organization said in a statement. “They join 2016 Accomplished Black Canadian recipient Ret. Warrant Office Avril Jno-Baptiste Jones. Bravo Frances and Amah! Well Done! Dominica and its Diaspora are very proud of you!”
The Mission/Vision of the 100ABCWOMEN is to highlight, document and make visible the accomplishments of Black Canadian women in terms of government, not-for-profit, financial, legal, real estate, health, education/academic, entertainment, fine arts, unsung heroes, trailblazers, first and posthumous heroes.
My former Teacher and my classmate. Congratulations to both of you.
I am so proud of Frances Delsol and Ms. Harris.
Frances has personally assisted me so many times and I owe her my deep gratitude. This woman took me into her home and cared for me at a time when she was a busy working mother. She was selfless in her efforts to make my stay in Canada a comfortable and easy one.
I lift her and Ms. Harris up in prayers and thank God for allowing them to receive their flowers while they are here with us. To those who are using this forum to shift the attention to anything but the accomplishments of these amazing women, I say ‘shame on you”. Please be patriotic and stop allowing politics to shadow your thoughts and actions. To God be the Glory!!!
Congratulations to two phenomenal Dominican women! Amah Harris taught me at the Convent High School. Such a passionate and fun loving teacher. Always remember that throbbing laugh straight from the heart! Well deserved award. Frances Delsol has been a true ambassador for Dominica, always pursuing great initiatives on behalf of her country. Enjoy your moment in history ladies and thank you for your great services as Dominicans.
I don’t know much about Amah, but Frances works very hard. She is a very dedicated woman.
What a lovely honour..congratulation to Frances and Amah.
I congratulate these two women but as a Dominican I am more interested in what is affecting Dominica. For Example, do Dominicans know that the US Senate wrote a letter to US Assistant Attorney General, Hon. Demers, on September 5, 2018, about information that suggested the President’s personal attorney, Rudolph Giuliani, did some political work for foreign governments of which Dominica is part of? Some of their questions have to do with registration of foreign ships and we could google the United Stated letter of Sept. 5 2018 to read. What was Mr. Giuliani hired by Skerrit to do? Does it have anything to do with the foreign ships flying FAKE Dominica flags? Mr. Giuliani was one of the team of attorneys who represented Reza Zarrab, the Iranian oil sanctions evader, which involves Aliereza Monfared, friend of PM Skerrit. The investigation of the 2016 US elections seems to be raising questions about friends of Skerrit like ambassador Paulo Zampolli, Trump and others. Please stay tunned
“I congratulate these two women… ” As a Dominican..? Liar!Liar! Real Dominican speak truth. Never FAKE NEWS! OR PROPERGANDA! Real Dominican’s like Frances and Amah, lift up, build, teach so our children can learn, whether home or abroad. So Stop your negative Blah blah, NOW. GO STUDY how to spread, LOVE, PEACE and JOY in DA and the World. Are you a Christian? Nah! doubt it! Sound so ridiculous, Mofared etc where can I FACT check your SOURCE.
As a Dominican I like to see Dominicans succeed in life, no matter where they are. I congratulate these two women and wish them all the best in the future. But DNO with all due respect we need to hear real news especially when it affects us. For example, how many Dominicans know that on September 5, 2018, the United States wrote a letter to the Assistant Attorney General, Hon. John Demers, about information suggesting that Trump’s personal Attorney, Rudolph Giuliani conducted a number of POLITICAL and public relations activities to foreign entities, including registration of foreign agencies, of which Dominica is part of? Just google US senate letter of the above date and you will read it. We need to know what Skerrit hired Giuliani to do. We need to know if it is about the registration of oil tankers, or the Monfared affairs since Mr. Giuliani was one of the team of attorneys who represented Reza Zarrab, the Iranian oil sanctions evader and friend of Monfared, the friend of Skerrit
How sad does your life have to be that you will choose to just not let people have their moment in life?. These 2 ladies have worked tirelessly to make an impact in Canada and you bring Roosevelt Skerrit into this?. I know how much of a slap this is to Frances especially as she is family, all she ever does is work towards bettering the life of others, maybe possibly yours as well even though you might not think so and yet you just can’t leave it at congratulating and uplifting her in the way that she deserves. Since you took it there, Dominica will never reach the heights it is supposed to until people like you have been called by God.
Totally agree! Some of us never acknowledge that the sun shines. It’s always doom and gloom. We should not allow distractions in applauding Frances and Mrs Harris and as Dominicans we should ALL be proud that their efforts lift Dominica’s esteem and worth in the world outside of DA. Fres, you go girl! You rock!!!