The late Ada Fells recognized as a leading lady

“There was always a place set aside for them to do their homework,” he said. “Somewhere, someone was always doing something as far as education goes.”

Ada Fells is one of six women from across Nova Scotia featured on the official African Heritage Month provincial poster. Each has, in their own unique way, made great contributions to all African Nova Scotians. Their photos are also prominently displayed on event brochures, giving all Nova Scotians an opportunity to learn the stories of these unsung matriarchs.

When Ada Fells was a young girl in Greenville, she decided she was going to make a difference in her community. After working as the first female supervisor of African descent at Dominion Textiles, she accepted a position with the Black United Front. During her 30 years working for the provincial organization, she liaised with nurses, served as an outreach worker, was a supervisor – and most importantly – was an advocate for the African Nova Scotia community.

The late Ada Fells received many awards during her lifetime including one from the Governor General, one for community service, volunteer of the year for Nova Scotia and Yarmouth, 20 years of service for the Black Cultural Society, has a place on the Wall of Honour at the Black Cultural Centre in Dartmouth and is a founding member of the Affirmative Action Group in Yarmouth. “Her forte was looking to advocate on behalf of individuals who didn’t have a voice,” said her son. “She’d always be there to call any government agency she could, to get help for them.”

After retiring she served on the Tri-County Regional School Board for 12 years.

Other women honoured on the Heritage Month poster are Edith Cromwell of Inglewood - a teacher for over 20 years. Cromwell paved the way for race-equity in education when she successfully lobbied for her Inglewood students to be bussed to Bridgetown, where they could reap the benefits of its better funded education system. She was also an Order of Nova Scotia beneficiary, an inductee to the W.P Oliver Wall of Honour, and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Acadia University. She contributed to the Black Learners Association, the Black United Front and the Black Cultural Society/Centre.

Geraldine White of Amherst was a dedicated member of the Highland African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir and was a long time member of the Christian fellowship and humanitarian group - the Y’s Menettes. Despite her many volunteer roles her main passion was caring for and mentoring youth. This passion led to the creation of a youth club, where children from all over Amherst regularly gathered.

May Sheppard of Halifax has been an active volunteer for over 40 years, starting as a cook for the Brunswick Street United Church Boys and Girls Camp. In 1972 she joined the Northwood Church Choir and, nearly four decades later, still sings with the group every week. She also became a Northwood Care volunteer, assisting its occupants any way she could. Despite her many years spent volunteering Ms. May, as she’s known in the community, insists her greatest accomplishment was being a member of the renowned Portia White choir.

Beryl Braithwaite of Sydney is a lifelong community member, contributor and supporter. She has a wealth of knowledge for community history, heritage and traditions, and remembers the early Whitney Pier community with its thriving businesses and vibrant cultures. She also recalls Marcus Garvey’s historic and exciting visit to Whitney Pier and the important message he delivered to the community. Braithwaite resides in her family home in Whitney Pier.

Willena Jones of Truro is a mother, grandmother, and friend. Born in 1914, she married Elmer Jones and they had 10 children. After the birth of her last child, she enrolled at the Nova Scotia Normal College and graduated with a teaching certificate. She was the first woman of African descent to work as a teacher in Truro. Upon retirement, she continued to work with Truro’s youth and developed a program for students who had dropped out of school. She is an active member of Zion Baptist Church and a well-respected community elder.