Nerene Virgin
Nerene Virgin | |
---|---|
Born | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | December 27, 1946
Died | January 15, 2024 Burlington, Ontario, Canada | (aged 77)
Occupation(s) | Journalist, actress, educator, author, television host |
Notable work | Today's Special |
Nerene Virgin (December 27, 1946 – January 15, 2024) was a Canadian journalist,[1] actress,[2] educator, author[3] and television host,[4] best known for her role on the children's television series Today's Special.
Background
Virgin was born in
Virgin worked as the weather and community reporter for
In 1996, Virgin became the host for the daily national current affairs show Coast to Coast for
Virgin served on the board of directors for Phoenix Place, a second stage home for women and children who have survived domestic violence.[8] She was also a member, and part of the executive, of the council for the College of Early Childhood Educators, the first such college in North America.[9] Virgin served as a member of Hamilton's Committee Against Racism for the 2010–2014 and 2014-2018 Term of Council.[10][11]
Virgin died in Burlington, Ontario on January 15, 2024, of unspecified causes at the age of 77. She is survived by her husband Alan Smith, daughters Yvette and Nicole, and son Thomas.[12]
Black History work
Virgin applied her educational background and journalism skills to research, write and present stories of notable Blacks in Canadian and U.S. history.[13] She published biographies of Charles Victor Roman, Charles Lightfoot Roman and Rev. John Christie Holland with Historica Canada. These articles have been published in The Canadian Encyclopedia. Nerene worked with the Dundas Museum and Archives to nominate C. V. Roman as a laureate to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. She worked with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to embed Black History into the regular school curriculum.[14] Virgin's educational presentations were often based on the exploits of her great-great grandfather, Private Lewis Toliver and his eleven-year service in the “All Coloured Militia” during the Upper Canada Rebellion 1837–38 and the building of the Second Welland Canal.[15] This endeavor was a pilot project for the Ministry of Education.
Political career
Virgin first sought political office in 2007 in the federal riding of Hamilton Mountain, but she later withdrew from the race.[16] She then decided to seek political office in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, even though she resided outside the riding boundaries.[13] In 2016, she was named one of Canada's 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women in history.
On July 31, 2007, after using a three-member panel interview process, the Ontario Liberal Party announced that Virgin had been acclaimed as the candidate in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek for the 2007 provincial election. The panel consisted of incumbent MPP Jennifer Mossop (who did not seek reelection), a party organizer, and the riding president.[17] The decision to appoint Virgin upset some local Liberal party members, but Virgin expressed optimism in being able to reach out to the grassroots.[18][19] Mossop, the Stoney Creek incumbent MPP at the time, is also a former television journalist.[20]
In the aftermath of Virgin's acclamation as a candidate, she was racially slurred and allegedly misrepresented in the media, with the Hamilton Community News, a weekly newspaper in Hamilton, referring to her as a "
On election day, Virgin finished second to New Democrat candidate Paul Miller.[24]
Electoral record
Riding: Hamilton East—Stoney Creek (provincial electoral district)
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Democratic | Paul Miller | 16,256 | 37.6 | ||
Liberal | Nerene Virgin | 15,171 | 35.1 | ||
Progressive Conservative | Tara Crugnale | 9,195 | 21.3 | ||
Green | Raymond Dartsch | 2,122 | 4.9 | ||
Family Coalition |
Robert Innes | 451 | 1.0 |
Filmography
Film and television appearances
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1972–1974 | Police Surgeon | Ellie the Dispatcher | 17 episodes |
1973 | The Starlost | Valerie | Episode: “Circuit of Death” |
1980 | Polka Dot Door | Host | 10 episodes |
1981–1987 | Today's Special | Jodie | Syndicated |
1981 | The Littlest Hobo | Miss Watson | Episode: “East Side Angels” |
1985 | The Undergrads | Polly Harris | TV movie |
1985 | Murder in Space | Dr. Margaret Leigh | TV movie |
1985 | Perry Mason | Minicam Reporter | Perry Mason Returns |
1985–1988 | Night Heat | Judy Burns, Frances, Mrs. Simmons | 5 episodes |
1986 | The Right of the People | Diane Trainor | TV movie |
1986 | A Deadly Business | Reporter | TV movie |
1988 | Diamonds | Edna Lawrence | Episode: “There`s No Business...” |
1988 | Garbage Pail Kids | Character Voice | 3 episodes |
1988 | Ramona | Mrs. Larson | 3 episodes |
1996 | Due South | Reporter No. 3 | Episode: “Red, White or Blue” |
1996 | Gotti | Reporter No. 6 | TV movie |
1996 | Mistrial | Reporter No. 4 | TV movie |
Awards
On May 2, 2016, it was announced that Virgin was named one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women.[25] Previously, in February 2012, she was honored for Professional Achievement and had received a Rev. John C. Holland Award, an award named after her great uncle John Christie Holland.[26] Virgin also received an Illuminesence Award in 2014.[27] Virgin was in her mid-teens when she was crowned Miss Sepia Toronto. She had expected that this would lead her to be a contestant in the Miss Canada Pageant but was later told that, at that time, apparently a black girl would not be allowed to compete.[28]
References
- ^ "Leader Once More". Archives.cbc.ca. 2006-03-07. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Today's Special Intro". Youtube.com. 2006-01-24. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Articles by Nerene Virgin". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Eye on Toronto Nerene Virgin 1990". Youtube.com. 2009-03-01. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "African Canadian Online: Aspects of African-Canadian Culture". York University. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ Adach, Kate (12 July 2012). "Descendants of fugitive slave reunite in Hamilton". CBC. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ a b Schoettle, Jane (1990-02-24). "Nerene Virgin shines as Eye on Toronto host". The Globe and Mail (Toronto). p. 9 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Board Members". Phoenixplace.ca. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Public Appointed Councillors" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-02-10.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "City of Hamilton - Committees - 2010 - 2014 Term of Council". City of Hamilton, Ontario. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ^ "Audit, Finance & Administration Committee Report 11-002" (PDF). City of Hamilton, Ontario. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ^ "Nerene Virgin Obituary". Legacy.com. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Jeff Mahoney (2013-10-30). "Mahoney: Trail-blazing doctor overcame several obstacles". Thespec.com. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
- ^ "Council Members Publicly Appointed council Members Nerene Virgin Hamilton". college-ece.ca. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
- ^ McNeil, Mark (11 February 2016). "Uncovering stories is a family affair". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ Andrew Dreschel (2007-08-08). "Virgin is crowned but not enthroned". Thespec.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ Joan Walters (2007-07-31). "Nerene Virgin to run in Mossop's riding". Thespec.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ a b Evelyn Myrie (2007-08-30). "An apology is great, but it's not enough". Thespec.com. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ Daniel Nolan (2007-08-04). "Damage Control". Thespec.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- CHML. July 31, 2007. Archived from the originalon 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
- ^ Nicole Macintyre (2007-08-18). "Racial slur rocks Liberal candidate". Thespec.com. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Global News Briefs" (PDF). Diversity in the Workplace. October 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
- ^ admin (2014-06-26). "Family, community pay tribute to late Rev. John Holland". sharenews.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
- ^ "39th General Election - October 10, 2007, HAMILTON EAST--STONEY CREEK". Elections Ontario. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "100ABCWOMEN". May 2, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ "Rev. John C. Holland Awards honours 10 recipients". February 6, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ "New awards toast Hamilton's young women professionals". March 10, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ISBN 9781459700499. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
External links
- Nerene Virgin at IMDb