Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

As a child, Marie Clarke Walker was exposed to trade unionism and social justice causes by her mother and law and politics by her father Bobby Clarke.

It is therefore no wonder that years later, she is fighting some of these causes.

This Canada-based phenomenal woman created history in 2002 when she was elected executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

Not only is she the youngest person to holda CLC leadership position, but she is also the first black woman to have done so.

Born in England to a Jamaican mother and a Barbadian father, Marie spent her early years in Jamaica before emigrating to Canada. She states firmly that she is a Jamaican.

She insists that the fight against social injustice was inherited from her parents, but exposure to workplace racism and seeing too many persons in leadership position show disregard for social justice, angered her enough to seek change.

"I am of the belief that you need people pushing from both sides of the fence to provoke change," she told Flair.

Growing up around politicians

Additionally, Marie says that growing up around politicians like Maurice Bishop, Trevor Munroe, Jacqueline Creft and Rosie Douglas as well as women such as Professor Akua Benjamin, Margaret Gittens, Marlene Green, Nomvoyu Hyman, the late Sherona Hall and the late Rosemary Brown, played a significant role in shaping the woman she has become.

Prior to becoming executive vice-president of the CLC, she served on the executive board of the Canadian Union of Public Employees - Ontario Division Board.

Asked what her tenure has been like she said, "My tenure has been exciting, frightening at times."

"It is always difficult being the first of anything, but I think it has been particularly difficult being the first black woman in a realm that is dominated by white men, especially ones who are still being educated on what an equity agenda means," she added.

Mrs. Clarke Walker's responsibilities as a Canadian Labour Congress officer are the health, safety and environment portfolios. But she continues to serve as an executive member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Circle for black women

She told Flair that in the near future she plans to hold a circle for black women to facilitate talks about the struggles, successes and to give thanks.

"Very often, we wait until it is too late to thank all those who have made an impact on someone's life and many times they do not even know. I am in the position not only because I was elected, but I owe thanks to men and women in the community for believing in me and giving me the strength and courage to carry on when the burden is sometimes too heavy," Mrs. Clarke Walker said.