The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S., DHumL

Biography
With education and experience in the fields of public administration, human resources, law, health, and religious studies, the Honourable Mayann Francis brings a unique and wide-ranging perspective to her role as the Queen's representative in Nova Scotia.

The first African Nova Scotian, and only the second woman to hold the position in the province's more than 400-year history, Ms. Francis became Lieutenant Governor in September of 2006.

At her installation ceremony, the Whitney Pier native's deep family ties were clearly evident: she took the oath of office while holding a Bible given to her father, the late Archpriest George A. Francis, for his pastoral and community work. Her Honour has credited her family with instilling in her a dedication to excellence and a commitment to success critical to her journey in life. In a newspaper article, she once noted that her mother, Thelma, worked for years to realize her dream of a high school diploma, and then went on to earn a practical nursing certificate by correspondence course. "She treated that certificate like it was made of gold. And maybe it was," Her Honour wrote.

With her parents as role models, Her Honour became a firm advocate of ongoing formal education. She earned a bachelor of arts from Saint Mary's University, a master's degree in public administration from New York University, a certificate in equal opportunity studies from Cornell University and a certificate in theological studies from the Atlantic School of Theology. After jobs as an X-ray technician, department store switchboard operator and paralegal she became a pioneer in senior positions with the provincial governments of Nova Scotia and Ontario, and was instrumental in advancing diversity and equality through human resources positions at Dalhousie University and at the District Attorney's office in Kings County, New York.

A former director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman for the province, Her Honour will focus on youth, education, seniors and community in her new role with the goal of increasing equity and inclusion. Her Honour says Nova Scotia, like the British Commonwealth, is one big community that reflects the input and activities of a variety of people and backgrounds. As Lieutenant Governor she will ensure that the richness of those differing perspectives is represented and put to active and good use. She says together Nova Scotians can explore ways they can make a difference, for themselves, for their communities and their province.

Her Honour has been recognized for her outstanding achievements with a Harry Jerome Award for professional excellence, an award from the Multicultural Education Council of Nova Scotia and a Golden Jubilee Medal She was a head table guest and a member of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's entourage for the awarding of his honorary degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto in 2000 and has been profiled in numerous publications, including Millennium Minds: One Hundred Black Canadians, the Who's Who in Black Canada, Canadian Who's Who and the Globe and Mail. As CEO of the Human Rights Commission she penned a regular column for the Halifax daily Chronicle-Herald. She has also served on boards of directors and organizing committees of a number of not-for-profit organizations and community groups including the United Way, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Imagine Canada and the Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Board.

Since the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor in Nova Scotia is closed for renovations, Her Honour will retain a private residence in Halifax with her beloved cat Angel. Her work will be done from offices at Maritime Centre but Her Honour intends to also use this as an opportunity to host her official events at various locations throughout the province.

"I hope that my journey to this point in my life can be an inspiration to anyone who is somehow discouraged by the hand they have been given. Where there is hope there is a way. Barriers are meant to be climbed over, they help make us stronger as individuals and as an inclusive community. This new path on my journey is an exciting one that I am eager to share with Nova Scotians."

CV:
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Halifax, N.S.
August 1999 - July 2006

Provincial Ombudsman
Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman, Halifax, N.S.
December 2000 - December 2003

Assistant Deputy Minister, Provincial-Municipal Education and Training Secretariat
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Toronto, Ont.
July 1997 - July 1999

Assistant Deputy Minister
Ontario Women's Directorate, Toronto, Ont.
January 1994 - July 1997

Employment Equity Officer
Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.
1990 - 1993

Administrative Manager (1986 - 1990)
Office of the District Attorney, Kings County, NY, USA
1986 - 1990

Personnel Representative (1984 - 1986)
New York City Corporation Counsel, New York, NY, USA
1984 - 1986

Corporate Paralegal
Kronish Leib Shainswit Weiner & Hellman / Cole & Deitz, New York, NY, USA
1978 - 1983

Temporary Contracts
Various organizations in the health-care industry, New York, NY, USA
1974 - 1978

Human Rights Officer
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Halifax, NS
1972 - 1974

Registered X-Ray Technologist
Halifax Infirmary Hospital, Halifax, NS
1966 - 1970

Awards:
Doctor of Humane Letters (2008), Mount Saint Vincent University
Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
Harry Jerome Award for Professional Excellence (2000)
Silver plaque award from Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission for "outstanding contribution in the field of human rights" (1974)

Past memberships/affiliations:
Columnist for Chronicle Herald newspaper, Halifax
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy board of directors
Zonta International (Halifax Chapter)
Privy Council's external Advisory Group on Diversity in the Federal Public Service
Governance committee of Canadian Institute for the Blind
Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Board
Board of directors of Imagine Canada
General council, Canadian National Institute for the Blind
United Way Steering Committee for capacity building project in Brazil
Beverley Mascoll Community Foundation
United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada Board of Directors
Board of governors for University College of Cape Breton
Black Business and Professional Association, Toronto, Ontario
Lay representative of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society Bar Council

Academic achievements:
Master of Public Administration (1984)
New York University, New York, NY, USA
Specialist studies in personnel and labour relations

Bachelor of Arts (1972)
Saint Mary's University, Halifax, N.S.

Certificate in Theological Studies (2003)
Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, N.S.

Executive Development Course (1995)
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.

Rethinking Public Policy Course (1995)
Ottawa, Ont.

Certificate in Adult Education, Train the Trainer (1991)
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.

Certificate in Equal Opportunity Studies (1988)
Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

Certificate in Paralegal Studies (1977)
Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA

X-Ray Technology Certificate (1966)
Halifax Infirmary Hospital, Halifax, N.S.