[Upbeat music plays]

In an animation, two brains navigate a maze. They chomp on various things, including a stack of books, a tire, and a baseball. The brains meet in the maze's centre and form one large brain. A banner wraps around the brain. A person announces a title that appears on the banner.

They say, HUNGRY BRAIN!

A picture of a smiling brown-haired woman appears.

A narrator says, YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF VIOLA DESMOND? WELL, IT'S THANKS TO HER DETERMINATION THAT SHE BECAME AN IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS FIGURE IN CANADA AND AROUND THE WORLD. HERE'S THE TOP ON VIOLA DESMOND.

The episode title reads, “The Top on Viola Desmond.”

The narrator says, NUMBER THREE, UNUSUAL ROOTS. THESE DAYS, HAVING PARENTS FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS ISN'T A BIG DEAL. BACK IN 1914, WHEN VIOLA WAS BORN TO A BLACK FATHER AND A WHITE MOTHER IN HALIFAX, IT WAS A LITTLE UNUSUAL. GROWING UP WITH THIS DUAL HERITAGE, SHE SOON REALIZED THAT THE BEAUTY PRODUCTS HER MOM USED DIDN'T SUIT BLACK WOMEN.

An X appears over beauty products, including make-up brushes, a mascara wand and an eye shadow palette.

The narrator says, THAT'S WHY SHE DECIDED TO STUDY AESTHETICS.

A graduation cap appears over the picture of Viola, the brown-haired woman.

The narrator says, NUMBER TWO, AN ENTREPRENEUR. SINCE NO AESTHETICS SCHOOLS IN HALIFAX ACCEPTED AFRICAN-CANADIAN PEOPLE AT THE TIME, VIOLA HAD TO STUDY IN MONTREAL AND ATLANTIC CITY. WHEN SHE CAME BACK TO HALIFAX, SHE OPENED A HAIR SALON.

A pair of scissors cuts through a red bow on a picture of a salon dryer chair.

The narrator says, IN 1930, SHE LAUNCHED HER OWN SCHOOL OF AESTHETICS, CALLED THE DESMOND STUDIO OF BEAUTY CULTURE. IN ADDITION TO BEING A MEETING PLACE FOR THE AFRICAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY, THE SCHOOL ALSO HAD AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL PURPOSE. THE BEAUTY WAS, IT ALLOWED STUDENTS TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS, AND CUT LOOSE.

A photo shows a group of women in white dresses. Another photo features women graduates.

The narrator says, THE SCHOOL WAS A BIG HIT. PEOPLE EVEN CAME FROM OUTSIDE NOVA SCOTIA TO STUDY THERE.

A pin marks Halifax in the province of Nova Scotia.

The narrator says, NUMBER ONE, AN ACT OF BRAVERY. SHE WAS ALREADY DOING A LOT FOR THE AFRICAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY, BUT ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 1946, VIOLA DESMOND MADE HISTORY. VIOLA WENT TO THE CINEMA AND TOOK A SEAT ON THE STALLS.

In a theatre, lights shine from aisle stairs.

The narrator says, AT THE TIME, THE STALLS WERE RESERVED FOR WHITE PEOPLE. BLACK PEOPLE HAD TO SIT ON THE BALCONY.

Viola’s photo appears on the theatre balcony.

The narrator says, WHEN THE CINEMA MANAGER ASKED VIOLA TO MOVE SEATS, SHE REFUSED CATEGORICALLY. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? THEY CALLED THE COPS.

[Police siren wailing]

The narrator says, VIOLA WAS ARRESTED, SPENT THE NIGHT IN JAIL, AND HAD TO PAY A $20 FINE, THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT $250 TODAY. THIS UNFAIR INCIDENT PROVOKED OUTRAGE AND ANGER BEYOND THE AFRICAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY, AND RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE REALITIES OF CANADIAN SEGREGATION.

[Indiscernible shouting]

A copy of The Clarion newspaper, dated 1946, features a photo of Viola.

The narrator says, TO HIGHLIGHT HER IMPORTANCE AS A PIONEER, A SYMBOL OF INTEGRITY, AND A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, IN 2018, THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT UNVEILED A THING OF BEAUTY: A $10 NOTE FEATURING VIOLA DESMOND.

A Canadian ten-dollar bill shows Viola’s portrait.

[Upbeat music plays]

End Credits. Narration, Helen Moorhouse. Logos: Trio Orange. Member of The Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatieuqe. A.Q.P.M. Cinéma Télévision Web. Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.