Carrie Mae Best was a prominent Canadian advocate for Black rights and a trailblazer in journalism. Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, she co-founded The Clarion newspaper with her son in 1946, which focused on issues pertaining to Black rights and was later renamed The Negro Citizen.
In 1974, the Governor General named her
a Member of the Order of Canada
Five years later, she was promoted to the rank of
Officer of the Order of Canada
In 1975, she became Dr.Best. She was awarded the honorary doctor of laws from the St. Francis Xavier University and in 1992, the University of King's College awarded her the doctor of civil laws
She also won a few awards like the Queen
Elizabeth Medal in 1977.
Life Changing Events
She was treated unfairly with her son at The Roseland Theater. (December 1941)
When her and her son sat in the "white-only"
seats and refused to move, the police had to
move them by force.
They spent one night in jail and had to pay a fine. When they got out, she filed a lawsuit for racial discrimination and damages.
On May 12, 1942, they lost the case and the judge
ignored discrimination and also ordered that she had to pay the theatre.
Other
In 1968, another newspaper hired her to write
a column about Human rights until 1975.
Carrie Best also started a radio show called The
Quiet Corner. It aired for 12 years.
The Clarion
In 1946, Carrie and and her son started a newspaper called The Clarion.
It's the first Nova Scotia newspaper owned and published by Black Canadians
For a decade, it talked about important issues for Black
rights. In 1956, it was renamed The Negro Citizen.
Family and Home
Home: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
She had a son named James C. Best
and had several foster children
