Who was a notable civil rights leader from Nova Scotia in the early 20th century?

Viola Desmond is recognized as a significant civil rights leader from Nova Scotia in the early 20th century due to her courageous act of defiance against racial segregation. In 1946, she refused to leave a whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, leading to her arrest. This pivotal moment highlighted the struggles of Black Canadians against discrimination and brought attention to the issues of racial inequality in Canadian society. Desmond's actions sparked a broader conversation about civil rights in Canada, and she is now celebrated as a symbol of the fight for justice and equality.

The other figures mentioned, while also important in the history of civil rights, are not from Nova Scotia or active in the early 20th century Canadian context. Rosa Parks is a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Harriet Tubman, also an influential American abolitionist, worked primarily in the 19th century and is known for her role in the Underground Railroad. Mary Ann Shadd was a notable abolitionist and suffragist, but her activism was primarily based in the United States, although she did spend time in Canada. Thus, the context of Viola Desmond’s impact is unique to Nova