Rosemary Sadlier

Early Years and Education

Rosemary Jean Sadlier is a sixth-generation Canadian with roots predating Confederation. Both her parents, Bernice (née Smith) and Henry Sadlier, were members of the British Methodist Episcopal Church, a predominantly Black congregation in Toronto. Her mother’s ancestors were connected to Underground Railroad survivors. Her father, meanwhile, is the descendant of Black Loyalists who fled to New Brunswick because of the American Revolution.

Growing up in a predominantly white suburban community, Rosemary Sadlier’s early years were shaped by her church upbringing. After graduating from Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute in 1971, she went to York University as an English major. She then switched to sociology. In 1975, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from Glendon College.

Sadlier later pursued a master's degree in social work at the University of Toronto, completing it in 1982. She recalled that she was one of the few Black students in the program. She also received a Bachelor of Education from the same university. In 1992, she was appointed a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Though she completed coursework for a doctorate, circumstances prevented her from finishing the degree.

Advocacy

Rosemary Sadlier eventually became involved with the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS). Founded in 1978, the OBHS’s mandate is to preserve and promote the contributions of Black Canadians, particularly in Ontario. In 1989, Sadlier joined the society’s board. In 1993, she was elected president.

Through petitions, Sadlier was instrumental in pushing the government’s Ontario-wide celebration of February as Black History Month. In fall 1995, she pressured the federal government to institutionalize month-long celebrations of Black history across Canada. Member of Parliament Jean Augustine supported this effort with a motion. This led to the House of Commons officially designating February as Black History Month in Canada. Sadlier was invited to speak at the first national celebrations in February 1996.

Starting around the mid-1990s, Sadlier campaigned for the official proclamation of 1 August as Emancipation Day. She quickly succeeded in having Toronto and Ottawa recognize Emancipation Day. In 2008, the province of Ontario also followed suit. However, it took until 2021 for the House of Commons to adopt it as a Canada-wide observance.

Despite the OBHS’s financial struggles, Sadlier led the organization in developing educational projects. These included heritage talks, bus tours, a TV program and exhibits. She also served as editor of Ontario Black History News. Moreover, she contributed to the society's now-defunct portal, blackhistorycanada.ca. The website was launched in collaboration with the Historica Foundation of Canada.

Sadlier lobbied for the establishment of a national day to recognize Lincoln Alexander. In 2014, the House of Commons passed a law recognizing Lincoln Alexander Day on 21 January of each year. Sadlier also helped spearhead the initiative to install a bust in his honour at the Ontario Legislature. In 2024, the bust was unveiled at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Selected Publications

Driven by the subject’s underrepresentation, Rosemary Sadlier dedicated herself to publishing impactful books that chronicled Black history in Canada. Her research and writing on race relations and Black history have been the primary focus of her body of work, including:

• Leading the Way: Black Women in Canada (1994)
• Mary Ann Shadd (1995)
• Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad: Her Life in Canada and the United States (1997)
• Harriet Tubman: Freedom Seeking Freedom Leader (2012)
• The Only One (2015)
• Black History: Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas (2018)
• The Kids Book of Black History in Canada (2024)

Other Involvement

Beyond her work with the Ontario Black History Society, Rosemary Sadlier worked as a social worker and educator. She also held positions in various government offices. She sat on the municipal advisory panel and vetted the Black history curriculum produced by the Toronto District School Board. Moreover, she served on the final selection committee of the national Mathieu Da Costa Challenge for Canadian Heritage. (See Mathieu Da Costa.) She also worked on stamp selection with the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee.

Sadlier provided consulting services to institutions on diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2016, she founded the Black Canadian Network, becoming its president. She also helps lead the Royal Commonwealth Society of Canada.

Honours and Awards

Rosemary Sadlier is the recipient of numerous recognitions.

• Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
• William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award, City of Toronto (1999)
• Black History Makers Award, United Achievers of Brampton (2001)
• Black History Award of Merit, John C. Holland Awards (2009)
• Harry Jerome Trailblazer Award, Black Business and Professional Association
• Member, Order of Ontario (2009)
• Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Marcus Garvey Memorial Award, Planet Africa Group (2014)
• OTF Fellowship, Ontario Teachers’ Federation (2016)
• Vaughan Road Alumni Hall of Fame (2017)
• 100 Most Influential Black Canadians, Afroglobal Television (2022)
• Lifetime Achievement, Women Empowerment Awards (2023)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, Educational Foundation for Children’s Care Canada (2023)
• Honorary Doctorate, OCAD University (2023)
• Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Toronto (2024)
• Lifetime Achievement, Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards, Ontario Human Rights Commission (2024)
• Terry James Trailblazer Award, Toronto Police Services (2024)
• King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)

In 2017, a staff award was given in her name through then-Ryerson University’s Viola Desmond Awards. (See also Viola Desmond.) In 2020, CBC’s Emancipation Arts created the Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Fighter Award in her honour. Each year, the award is given to someone who has contributed to the causes of freedom and justice. The Pinball Clemons Foundation (see Michael “Pinball” Clemons) also awards the Rosemary Sadler Bursary to support marginalized and racialized young students.

In 2025, Museum of Toronto featured Sadlier as part of its exhibit The 52 which focuses on 52 women who have shaped Toronto.