Edith Cromwell passes away

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Friends, family, and all those whom she touched are today paying tribute to Edith Cromwell who passed away in Middleton Thursday.

“She’ll be missed not only by her community but the community at large – we will miss her presence and influence and strength she brought to everything she did,” said Bridgetown Mayor Art Marshall.

Liberal leader Stephen McNeil expressed his sympathy Thursday to Cromwell’s family and friends. McNeil knew Cromwell personally and held her up as an example for others to follow.

“Ms. Cromwell was a pillar in the community of Inglewood and a role model for countless Nova Scotians,” he said. “She was a woman of integrity, tolerance, and perseverance. I have the deepest respect for her life’s accomplishments and she will be greatly missed.”

Edith Cromwell was the first member of her African-Nova Scotian community to graduate from high school and one of the first Black graduates of the Nova Scotia Teacher’s College. She spent her teaching career in the communities of Inglewood and Greenwood, and was known for teaching tolerance and encouraging young people to set positive goals for themselves.

Among her many recognitions, Cromwell was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2002 (along with John Savage, Anne Murray, and Dr. Carrie Best) and an honourary doctorate in Civil Laws from Acadia University earlier this year.

Percy Paris, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, also extended his condolences to friends and family of Edith Cromwell.

"Edith Cromwell was a community matriarch," said Paris. "An educator, mother, community leader and advocate, she was a founding member of the Black Cultural Centre and an Order of Nova Scotia recipient. She made significant and outstanding contributions to our community and she will be greatly missed."

“She certainly was one of the key people in the Inglewood community in terms of education and solidarity of the community,” said Marshall. “She was a key person in her church and community centre -- and a prominent spokesperson for the entire Black community in Nova Scotia. Her life’s story is an inspiration and model for all of us to emulate.”