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I was born July 6, 1914 in Halifax, Canada. I come from a family of ten siblings. My mother, Gwendolin Irene Davis and my father James Albert Davis were an interracial couple. My parents where both active members in the black community in Nova Scotia and became prominent members of various community organizations.

Early Life

After graduating employment was limited for Viola because of her ethic background. Viola became a teacher in segregated schools for African-Canadian students.

She attended Field Beauty Culture School in Montreal, one of the few schools accepting African-Canadian students. After her training she opened Vi's Studio of Beauty Culture in Halifax.

Education

Viola could not attend beauty school in Halifax due to discrimination laws, she trained elsewhere and returned to Nova Scotia to operate her own beauty salon, marketed her own beauty products and ran a beauty school. She ensured that black women did not have to travel as far as she did for the education and training. Viola sold beauty products for African-Canadian women. Her beauty school provided career training for these women in Nova Scotia. From the success of her business Viola gained financial independence. She became a role model to African-Canadian Women.

Entrepreneur

Desmond’s affidavit “the policeman grasped my shoulders, and the manager grabbed my legs, injuring my knee and hip. They carried me bodily from the theatre, out into the street”

Desmond's Quote

“Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Viola Desmond

The Event of 1946

In November 1946, Viola traveled on business from Halifax to Sydney, Nova Scotia. In New Glasgow she had car troubles and had to stop for the night.

To pass time she decided to go to the Roseland Theatre to see a film. At the ticket booth she wanted to purchase a floor ticket unaware of the theatre's segregated seating rules. The theatre would only sell her a balcony ticket.

When entering the theatre Viola sat on the floor section. A theatre attendant approached her and escorted her out of her seat after she refused to move. She was arrested by law enforcement and held in jail overnight.

Viola Desmond was charged and went to court and convicted for tax evasion. The charge was based on the one cent difference in tax between the floor and balcony theatre seat. This appeared to be the only legal justification of her arrest and her time spent in prison.

Charges Viola Faced

The Rights Revolution in Canada occurred between 1945 and 1982. After WWII, Canadian provinces legislation began to create laws to protect human rights. Demond helped launch and inspire the Civil Rights Movement in Canada activist in the 1940s. Desmond fought for rights by confronting racism.

Civil Rights