Who Is Viola Desmond? Age, Biography and Wiki
Viola Desmond was born on July 6, 1914, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and passed away on February 7, 1965. As of 2025, she would have been 110 years old. Desmond is best known for her brave stand against racial segregation in Canada, particularly for refusing to leave a whites-only section of a movie theater in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in 1946. Her act of defiance made a huge impact on the civil rights movement in Canada, and she has since been celebrated as a pioneer for equality and social justice.
| Occupation | Civil Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 6, 1914 |
| Age | 50 Years |
| Birth Place | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Canada |
| Date of death | 7 February, 1965 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Viola Desmond's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Viola Desmond's exact height and weight are not extensively documented, she is often remembered for her poised demeanor and striking presence. Historical photographs depict her as a well-dressed woman with an elegant appearance. Her contributions to society far outweigh physical attributes, as she is recognized for her intelligence and courage.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Viola Desmond was married to J. William Desmond, a prominent Canadian businessman, until his untimely passing. Desmond did not have children. Although details about her relationships are scant, her marriage deeply influenced her life and business endeavors. Early in her career, she was a successful entrepreneur, operating a beauty salon and cosmetics line aimed at Black women, showcasing her dedication to her community.
She was raised by her father and mother in Halifax. In 1917, Viola, then three years old, survived the Halifax Explosion, alongside her family. Viola's father worked as a stevedore for a number of years before he became a barber.
Net Worth and Salary
Though exact figures for Viola Desmond's net worth at the time of her death in 1965 are unclear, her legacy has grown significantly, particularly in recent years as her story has gained international recognition. The Canadian government posthumously issued an apology and granted her a pardon in 2010. In 2018, her image was featured on the Canadian $10 bill, further solidifying her contributions to Canadian history and culture. Today, her legacy continues, generationally inspiring activists and entrepreneurs alike.
Career, Business and Investments
Viola Desmond was not only an activist but also a successful businesswoman. She owned a beauty salon and a line of beauty products designed specifically for Black women. Desmond's enterprise was revolutionary, as it provided much-needed access to cosmetics for women of color at a time when mainstream products largely ignored their needs. Her entrepreneurial spirit continues to serve as an inspiration for many in the fields of beauty and culture.
In addition to the salon, Desmond opened The Desmond School of Beauty Culture so that black women would not have to travel as far as they had to receive proper training. Catering to women from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec, the school operated using a vertical integration framework.
Students were provided with the skills required to open their own businesses and provide jobs for other black women within their communities. Each year as many as fifteen women graduated from the school, all of whom had been denied admission to whites-only training schools.
Desmond also started her own line of beauty products, Vi's Beauty Products, which she marketed and sold herself.
Social Network
With the rise of social media, the narratives surrounding Viola Desmond have been proliferating, bringing her story to new audiences. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feature tribute pages and discussions surrounding her life and activism. These online communities celebrate her contributions and advocate for ongoing dialogues about race relations in Canada and beyond.
Following the decision to fight the charge, Carrie Best broke the story of Desmond in the first edition of The Clarion, the first black-owned and published Nova Scotia newspaper. Best closely covered the story of Desmond on front page as she had herself previously confronted the racial segregation of the Roseland Theatre.
Education
Viola Desmond's educational journey included attending the Halifax School of Beauty Culture, where she honed her skills in hairdressing and beauty care. Her education empowered her to open her salon, illustrating the importance of education in providing opportunities for Black women in a challenging socio-economic context.
Through this lens, Viola Desmond remains a symbol of empowerment and resilience, continuing to inspire future generations as we reflect on her incredible legacy into 2025 and beyond.
In 2010, Viola Desmond was granted a posthumous free pardon, the first to be granted in Canada. A free pardon deems the person granted the pardon to have never committed the offence and cancels any consequence resulting from the conviction, such as fines, prohibitions or forfeitures.
However, it was not until 2021 that the government repaid the $26 (worth $368 CAD as of 2021) fine to her estate in the form of a $1,000 scholarship that adjusted the amount to reflect the time value of money.
The Crown-in-Right-of-Nova Scotia also apologized for prosecuting her for tax evasion and acknowledged she was rightfully resisting racial discrimination.
