NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is available on the Communications Nova Scotia website at http://novascotia.ca/news/Photos/2014/12/18/Status_Women_Chairman.jpg .
Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard has been appointed chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

“I’m delighted to have a woman of Dr. Thomas Bernard’s experience and leadership chairing the advisory council,” said Minister responsible for Status of Women Joanne Bernard. “I look forward to working with the council to strengthen our collective understanding and responses to issues and opportunities affecting women and girls in our province.”

Born in East Preston, Dr. Thomas Bernard is a highly respected social worker, educator, researcher, community activist, advocate and mentor. She served as director of the Dalhousie School of Social Work for 10 years, and was a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers in 1979. She recently received the Order of Nova Scotia, and is a recipient of the Order of Canada.

“Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are everyone’s concern. I hope that I am able to make that particular message more widely known and acted upon,” said Dr. Thomas Bernard. “I consider it a privilege and an honour to be appointed as chair, and have been a part of the council for the past three years. I look forward to the next phase of our work together.”

Dr. Thomas Bernard will serve as chair for two years.
Established in 1977, the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women has 11 members representing women from a broad and diverse range of backgrounds and communities throughout the province.

For more information on the council, visit http://women.gov.ns.ca/about-council .

Source: Release