Alberta Dionne Dexter
Alberta Dionne Dexter was born in Toronto, Canada, on February 5th, 1901. She was the seventh of eight children of immigrant parents from the Bahamas. Alberta was a bright and independent child; she was eager to learn and she often stood out in her classes due to her intelligence and enthusiasm. Growing up, Albertas parents encouraged her to pursue her education, and she was the first in her family to attend college. She completed her Bachelors degree at Queens University and then went on to earn her Masters at the University of Toronto, where she specialized in psychology and education.
After graduation, Alberta worked as a teacher and principal. She was well-respected among her teachers and was known as a kind and caring person. Many of her students remembered her fondly and would often visit her when they returned home from college.
Alberta became a Canadian leader in the early years of World War II, encouraging people to donate to the war effort and promoting civic responsibility. She also volunteered at shelters for the homeless and for other needy causes. Throughout the war, she kept busy with her philanthropic causes and her educational goals.
Alberta is most remembered for her work in advocating for the rights of African-Canadians. She was a founding member of the National Council of Women of Canada and an organizer of the Council for Human Relations. She was also an active member of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and in 1969, she was honored for her work in advancing the cause of black Canadians with an honorary doctorate from Duke University.
In 1975, Alberta was awarded the Order of Canada for her outstanding service to her community. In her later years, she continued her work as an educator and mentor, and she was instrumental in the formation of the Federation of Black Canadians, which works to advocate for the rights of the African-Canadian community.
Alberta Dionne Dexter was a remarkable woman whose intelligence, enthusiasm, and dedication have made a lasting impact on Canadian society. She was a pioneering philanthropist and a passionate advocate for the equal rights of all people. Her memory and legacy live on in the work that she inspired her disciples to achieve.
