Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard: Honourable senators, I am honoured to stand before you today to highlight two principles of Kwanza: Kujichagulia, which means “self-determination,” and Ujima, which means “collective work and responsibility.” I will share this through the inspiring story of Maxene Prevost Shephard.

Maxene was born in Newport Station, Nova Scotia, on February 20, 1931, as 1 of 12 children of George and Stella Prevost. At a young age, she married Edward Shephard. They moved to Truro, then to Montreal. They had three children: Kevin, Glenn and Melodi. Now, for most African Nova Scotian women of her time, this would have defined their story — wife, mother, grandmother — but not for Maxene. Driven by Kujichagulia, she pursued her potential beyond these traditional roles.

In 1974, as an adult learner, Maxene earned a Diploma in Family Life Education from Collège Marie-Victorin in Montreal. During her practicum, she worked with Diane Jacobs, founder of the Canadian Association of Black Social Workers, or CABSW. Although the CABSW initially dissolved, this experience ignited Maxene’s commitment to Ujima — collective work and responsibility.

In 1979, Maxene returned to Nova Scotia with her family on a mission — a mission to form an Association of Black Social Workers in Nova Scotia.

This is when I first met her, a visionary, a mentor, a trailblazer who inspired me and many others. When she shared her vision for the group, I was captivated. I was able to recruit two other women, Frances Mills-Clements and Althea Tolliver, and the four of us — four African Nova Scotian women, all community-minded, socially conscious, politically astute women — worked collectively to change the ways in which social services were delivered to Black Nova Scotians.

Maxene’s commitment to Ujima laid the foundation for systemic changes in Nova Scotia and beyond. I am who I am and where I am largely because of her mentorship, encouragement and inspiration. Forty-five years later, there are now Association of Black Social Workers groups across Canada, all continuing her legacy of collective work and responsibility.

Colleagues, join me in thanking Maxene Prevost Shephard for planting a seed that continues to blossom.

Asante.