New book tells life story of Nova Scotia's ‘Sister To Courage' Wanda Robson

CTV News

06-05-2025

Wanda Robson shares stories about her sister, civil rights activist Viola Desmond, as a ferry is unveiled in her honour in Halifax.
She was known as Nova Scotia's 'Sister To Courage' and now a new book casts Wanda Robson as the main character in the story of her own life.
'At least if you look at a $10 bill, you see the image of Viola Desmond, but very few people know the work that was done behind the scenes,' said Graham Reynolds, professor emeritus at Cape Breton University and author of 'The Life of Wanda Robson - Canada's Advocate for Viola Desmond and Social Justice.'
Desmond's story is well-known and Robson, her sister, was there every step of the way in bringing it to light, including writing the book 'Sister To Courage.'
Viola Desmond
Civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond is seen in this photo take in the early 1940s. (Wanda and Joe Robson Collection. 16-80-30220. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University)
Reynolds – who taught Robson at CBU when she went back to school in her seventies, earning an undergraduate degree in 2004 – has released a new published account that tells the backstory of her life.
'Because without Wanda, we wouldn't know really anything about Viola,' Reynolds said. 'She would be just a couple of sentences in a history book somewhere.'
In the front row at Tuesday's book launch was Joe Robson, Wanda Robson's husband of more than 50 years until she passed away in February 2022 at age 95.
'To be truthful, she would say 'Why me?'' Robson said when asked what his late wife might think of the new book. 'Because a number of times with different accolades, that's the comment she would make to me – 'Why me?''
The book details Robson's early days growing up in Halifax, how she picked up the pieces of her life following a difficult first marriage and her rise to become a nationally-renowned advocate for social justice and her sister's legacy.
'I think she should be remembered as a woman of courage herself, and a remarkable woman that really set out to make a difference – and she did,' Reynolds said.
Copies of the book are available online at CapeBretonBooks.com.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page