Mayann Francis

Mayann Elizabeth Francis, ONS ( born February 18, 1946 in Sydney, Nova Scotia ) is a Canadian human rights activist. 2006 to 2012 she was the Deputy Governor of the province of Nova Scotia and represented as such, the head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, at the provincial level.

Biography

The daughter of an archpriest of the African Orthodox Church, one of the Anglicans related religious community, worked as a radiology assistant and paralegal. Simultaneously, she studied at the Saint Mary's University in Halifax and New York University. In 1984 she graduated as Master of Public Administration. After Francis was employed by various authorities in management positions, among others, the prosecutor of Brooklyn, Dalhousie University in Halifax and the provincial government of Ontario. She also was a member of the directorates of several charitable organizations, including the National Institute for the Blind.

From 1999 to 2006, Francis Director and Managing Director of the Human Rights Commission of the Province of Nova Scotia from 2000 to 2003, Ombudsman of the province. On a proposal by Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Governor General Michaëlle Jean on 20 June 2006 Deputy Governor of Nova Scotia. Francis was the first Afrokanadierin and the second woman to hold this office, which she carried out since 7 September 2006.