A Bermudian educator has been recognised for her contributions in forming the new history of Kingston.

Nominated by citizens of Kingston, Ontario, as part of the Sir John A Macdonald Bicentennial, Judith Brown (née Wellman) was singled out as a Kingstonian who is leading change. A teacher for more than 30 years, Mrs Brown has taught in Bermuda, Ontario, Egypt and China, in places as varied as the Prison for Women, Beechgrove Children’s Centre, Queen’s University’s McArthur College and for three years at Francis Patton School.

But it is her work as president of Kingston’s Afro-Caribe Foundation that has earned her this recent recognition.

Mrs Brown has found that she is busier in retirement than as a full-time teacher.

“I just cannot sit still!” she said. “I’ve become involved in so many things.”

She said that the foundation’s main function is to provide scholarships for students of Queen’s University and St Lawrence College of African or Caribbean ancestry.

As she gears up for Black History Month celebrations in February, she told The Royal Gazette: “The Queen’s scholarship is named after Robert Sutherland, a lawyer of Jamaican heritage.

“He saved Queen’s University at a time when they were in dire straits and possibly would have closed or merged with the University of Toronto.”

Mr Sutherland, a Queen’s scholar, had practised in an area of Canada where many settled from the underground railroad and he bequeathed his entire fortune to Queen’s.

“That’s what saved Queen’s University. Saved by this black guy,” she said.

The second scholarship honours another black man, Alfie Pierce, a coach and mascot for the Queen’s football team, sleeping under the bleachers in the summer and in the boiler room in the winter. The pub at Queen’s is named Alfie’s to honour him.

“What I’m trying to do is I’m trying to have blacks have a more prominent role here in Kingston,” she said.

“I’m encouraging our members to get on boards and in order to do that I said, Judy you’ve got to do it yourself.”

The former Berkeleyite now sits on the Kingston Frontenac public library board and is president of all-ladies club, Probus, for retired professionals.

She has made a name for herself within the community, last year earning mention in the house of parliament.

“That was quite an honour,” Mrs Brown said.

The educator said she enjoyed international teaching because it provided access to other cultures and an opportunity to travel. She applied for the position to begin an early childhood programme in Egypt after she had ruled out early retirement.

The mother of four said: “My children were out of the way and I thought this is a great time to key in on this opportunity. I loved it.”

She originally fell into kindergarten teaching after returning from maternity leave — it was the only position available.

She said: “I fell in love with those little ones and from then on I was hooked. I did courses in early childhood and like they say, the rest is history.”

After Egypt she was made adjunct professional at Queen’s University where she taught early childhood education.

But she missed being overseas and applied for a position in China after a year. She stayed in Shanghai for seven years.

“I returned to Canada because I was beginning to have grandchildren,” she said. “I said, if you want those grandchildren to know you, they’ve got to know you when they’re young.”

“I don’t know when to sit myself down,” she said, laughing.

“I’m busier now than when I was teaching, but I enjoy it. I really enjoy it. If I didn’t do this what am I going to be doing? Sitting around and getting bored with myself? It’s good to have a purpose.”

The feature in the Kingston Whig-Standard reads: “Brown provides passionate and inclusive leadership. She is a warm and welcoming mentor who embraces new community members and demonstrates respect and collegiality to all who work with her.

“Her capacity to motivate and engage others is outstanding. Brown’s passion inspires — and it leads change.”