Across Nova Scotia older change-makers are leaders. They are also parents, grandparents, artists, musicians and more. Join us in celebrating them and all that they do. For Senior’s Week 2021, we are celebrating three amazing change-makers from across the province whose social change work pushes for equity, inclusion and connection.
Today we celebrate Mary Desmond!
Mary Desmond — Municipal Councillor, Mother, Author, Quilter, Grandmother
Home — Monastery, Upper Big Tracadie (UBT), N.S.
Community Involvements — Councillor for District 2 in Guysborough County; Author of Children’s book “Good Morning Mr. Charlie”; President of Antigonish and Guysborough Senior’s Council; Board Member of Aboriginal and Black Student Success Committee; and much more!
Change-Work
Mary says “if you sit and wait for change to happen it’ll never come.” She is passionate about bringing youth and seniors together to learn from each other. She loves to come up with innovative ideas and working with others to bring them to life.
Making an Impact
While the group of seniors in her community is small, she shares, “they are mighty and get things done!” During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group installed roadside libraries in UBT and Sunnyville to ensure that African Nova Scotian youth had access to books to read. Also during African Heritage Month, when the group dedicated a seat to Viola Desmond in their community performance hall and pulled off the event beautifully. She is looking forward to their upcoming projects that are on the horizon, such as recognizing the unsung senior heroes in Lincolnville, Sunnyville and UBT.
Sharing of Wisdom & Learnings
Mary shares that while it can be easy to let financials and funding overshadow your ideas, it’s important to not let it hinder you. Mary points out that if you get the idea, have the love, and collaborate, change and the funding will come. She also shares that prioritizing is important. She said, “Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.” She says we can’t do change-work alone!
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating all Mary has done to make Nova Scotia a better place! To learn more about Mary and the stories she shared, check out the video below:
