On February 1st, 2011, Canada Post began issuing a new series of two stamps celebrating black history month. This year’s honourees are Carrie Best and Fergie Jenkins.
Carrie Best (1903-2001) was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She was the founder of «The Clarion», the first newspaper In Nova Scotia for black Canadians. An advocate and tireless fighter for human rights her whole life, Best spoke out on behalf of all minorities, including blacks, Native Americans and women. She was the recipient of many awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1974.
Ferguson «Fergie» Arthur Jenkins (1942- ) was born in Chatham, Ontario. He is a renowned athlete and the only Canadian Major League Baseball Hall of Famer. Fergie pitched for four different baseball teams during his career which spanned 1965-1983. During the baseball off-season, he would play with the Harlem Globetrotters in order to stay in shape. In 1979, Fergie was also made a member of the Order of Canada, an honour for which he was finally decorated in 2007.