WINNIPEG – The story of Viola Desmond’s courageous action against racial segregation has been inspiring visitors to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights since it opened in 2014.

Today, Viola will be featured as the first iconic Canadian woman on a regularly circulating Bank of Canada note. The new $10 bill also depicts the CMHR, an eagle feather and an excerpt from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Canadians will now carry a story about human rights in their pockets,” said CMHR president and CEO John Young. “The circulation of this new banknote represents an incredible opportunity to provoke questions and conversations all across the country about topics like racism and reconciliation and hope for the future.”

Desmond’s sister, Wanda Robson joined Bank of Canada Governor Stephen S. Poloz to officially launch the new bill.