Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp honouring a trailblazing abolitionist whose legacy extended to the town of Chatham.
The Black History Month stamp featuring Mary Ann Shadd was revealed during a ceremony at The Kent in Chatham on Tuesday, which was attended by several descendants of the educator, newspaper publisher and lawyer.
Brandy Ryan, the director of equity, diversity and inclusion at Canada Post, said Mary Ann’s legacy in Canada helped to shape the country.
“It’s so important to recognize Canadians who have made impacts within Canada, especially Black Canadians,” said Ryan. “Oftentimes when we think of Canadian history, we don’t always think of Black history but Black history is Canadian history.”
The stamp was designed by Underline Studio and illustrated by Natasha Cunningham. The central image is the only known photograph of Mary Ann while the lower image is a reproduction of The Provincial Freeman’s masthead.
“We worked closely with the Shadd family to ensure that she is perfectly recognized and they shared a lot of her history with us,” said Ryan.
Born in 1823 in Wilmington, Delaware, Mary Ann established herself early on as a teacher, writer and activist. She moved to Windsor in 1851 where she became the first Black woman to edit and publish a newspaper in North America.
Brenda Travis, an educator and a descendant of Mary Ann Shadd, said having her great, great aunt recognized on a national level fills her family with so much pride.
She added that it’s important for Canadians to know about the impact Mary Ann had during her time.
“They need to know our history, not just black history, but our history. She’s a part of our history,” said Travis. “She made significant changes in Canada, so she needs to be recognized.”
Mary Ann’s publication, the Provincial Freeman, was an anti-slavery newspaper published from Windsor, then from Toronto and Chatham. The newspaper also promoted Canada as a place for Black people to settle, raise families and contribute as free citizens.
“She didn’t seem to shy away from criticizing and calling out leaders of the community, whether they were white or black. Most of them were men, obviously. She was fearless in that way and that was Mary Ann Shadd,” said Adrienne Shadd, a descendant and historian.
Mary Ann’s lifelong fight for equal rights continued a family legacy. Her father, Abraham Doras Shadd, was active in the Underground Railroad and was featured on Canada Post’s first Black History Month stamp issue in 2009.
The stamp depicting Mary Ann will be officially issued on Monday ahead of Black History Month in February. It will be available for purchase online or at postal outlets across the country.
