Jamaican appointed to the Order of Canada

TORONTO:

A member of the JamaicanCanadian community has been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours. It recognises people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the nation.

Mary Simon, governor general of Canada, announced 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including one Companion, 16 Officers, two Honorary Officers and 64 Members. Two appointments are promotions within the Order.

Pamela Appelt, who lives in Oakville, Ontario, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. She told The Gleaner that Canada has opened many doors for her, and the Order of Canada will allow her to do even more.

“I am delighted. I am truly grateful and humbled. I give thanks that I chose Canada and Canada has blessed me in so many ways. It has given me the opportunity to do the best I can for the country of my birth and other places,” she said.

“It has given me another platform from which to make a difference. When I checked and I saw that it’s the Order of Canada, that’s big you know, this little woman from St Mary; this is a God thing. I don’t take it lightly.”

The Order of Canada citation describes Appelt as an esteemed community leader:“The first Black Canadian woman appointed to the Court of Canadian Citizenship, she is dedicated to uplifting black communities, particularly through her contributions to education initiatives and her mentorship of young leaders. For decades she has supported initiatives and organisations focused on arts and culture, and children and families in the Greater Toronto Area and the Jamaican diaspora.”

Before coming to Canada in 1966, she studied microbiology and biochemistry in London, England. After immigrating to Canada, she worked as a researcher in medical biochemistry at McGill University in Montreal. In 1979, she moved to Oakville with her husband and two children.

In 1987, she was appointed the first female Afro-Canadian to serve as a judge of the Court of Canadian Citizenship, a position she held for 11 years before retiring to pursue other interests.

Appelt holds a master’s degree in public policy. In August 2002, she received an honorary degree from Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, and, earlier this year, was a recipient of the vice chancellor’s award for excellence at the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards.

POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACTS

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada celebrates outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions. “Over the years, its members have been honoured for inspiring innovation, for shaping who we are, and for enriching Canada’s fabric,” notes a press release from the governor general’s office.

“The Order of Canada recognises individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada or who have brought honour to our country abroad. As we progress towards an Order that is reflective of Canada’s full diversity, I encourage all Canadians to nominate individuals who inspire them, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Congratulations to the new appointees and thank you to the nominators who cast a spotlight on their achievement, purpose and exceptional talent,” said Simon.

Appointments are made by the governor general, on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. A Member or an Officer of the Order of Canada can be promoted to a higher level if they demonstrate further exceptional achievement. A person can only be promoted five years after the last appointment.

Non-Canadians are eligible for an honorary appointment to the Order if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada. Appointees will be invited to an investiture ceremony at a later date, to receive their insignia. The dates of these ceremonies will be announced in due course.