For over 50 years, she has helped more than a thousand Francophone immigrants succeed in the province’s educational and health-care systems, thereby helping them to become compassionate, productive members of society.
Myrtha Lapierre was very young when she discovered that she loved school and learning. It’s what brought her to the University of Ottawa to study nursing – she was the first Black Francophone woman to be admitted into the program!
Her support to others, especially to members of the Haitian community, extends beyond volunteering: in 2008, she created the Myrtha Lapierre Scholarship at the University of Ottawa. In 2018, in recognition of her volunteer work, she was awarded the province’s most prestigious honour: the Order of Ontario.
Myrtha Lapierre, nurse and pioneer
As a pioneer and nurse dedicated to supporting immigrant women seeking to work in health care, Myrtha Lapierre is an inspiration who has garnered a well-deserved reputation.
A passion for nursing
Myrtha Lapierre was very young when she discovered that she loved school and learning. In fact, she was the first girl in her native town in Haiti to attend high school. This love of learning led her to the University of Ottawa to study nursing, where she was the first Black Francophone woman admitted to the program. Her keen interest in health care led to a career in community nursing, and then to Algonquin College, where she began a lengthy career in teaching. She spent 45 years transmitting her knowledge and passion for nursing to her students.
“I wanted to make sure that every patient received the highest quality care possible,” said Myrtha.
Volunteering and community support
Myrtha Lapierre’s experiences, from Haiti to Ottawa, taught her the importance of support. In addition to teaching, she volunteered to support nearly 1,000 immigrant women in search of careers in health care in Ontario.
“For me, it’s important to help immigrant women,” Myrtha added.
This community support, especially to the Haitian community, extended beyond volunteering: in 2008, she created the Myrtha Lapierre Scholarship at the University of Ottawa. This scholarship gives financial support to students involved in helping the Haitian community.
Dedication that has not gone unnoticed
According to her friends, Myrtha has broken down barriers for Black Francophone nurses in Canada and is a leader among health-care professionals in Ottawa and in the Haitian-Canadian community.
Her students, and those who have benefited from her scholarship, appreciate her dedication and passion, but her work has also been publicly acknowledged.
In 2006, the YMCA-YWCA presented her with the Woman of Distinction Award and in 2018, she was awarded the province’s most prestigious honour: the Order of Ontario. Moreover, the City of Ottawa designated October 25 as Myrtha Lapierre Day in recognition of her philanthropy.
Myrtha Lapierre has spent her career, and now a good part of her retirement, investing her time and effort in the health-care sector to make sure that health education and care are the highest possible quality, and that immigrant students receive the support they need to succeed.