Gateway to Northwestern Ontario Digital Collections

Mary J.L. Black, 1879-1937 (~1921)

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

A portrait of Mary Joanna Louisa Black., Mary J.L. Black was appointed to the position of librarian at the Fort William Public Library in 1909. At this time the library was one room opposite the jail cells, in the basement of City Hall. During her twenty eight years of service to the community, she worked tirelessly to improve library service, not just locally, but nationally. She became the first woman president of the Ontario Library Association, and in 1930 served on an American Library Association committee that studied the state of libraries across Canada. Mary J.L.Black was the founder of the local women's Canadian Club, served as secretary and then president of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society and was a leader of the Girl Guides. Her keen interest in bringing art and culture to the community resulted in two exhibits featuring original paintings by the Group of Seven, in 1914 and 1921.

Date of Original

circa 1921

Subject(s)