Gloria Adams – Gloria originates from Dartmouth Nova Scotia., she was the youngest of four siblings was full of energy and was one to dare to reckon with she was a kind and gentle woman who loved all those whom she came in contact with.
Mother of 12 children to her husband John Richard Adams Sr., whom was the youngest of 21 siblings.
They were married for 59 beautiful years.
Gloria learned music at a young age, taught school, became a Social Worker later in years. She was active in her community, community was her world she would make sure if there was anything to be fixed it would be done. As Gloria trailed blazed up and down in the community she would prepare petition after petitions to be signed and delivered to the Government Officials.
During Election time she would make it her business to get involved to know the Candidate who ran in
her community she said and I quote “Its good to know everybody and anybody because you never know
when you will need somebody”.
During the year of 1969 she worked that year untimely for an Alderman by the name of Mr. David
McKeen, who served the city of Halifax representing Ward 3 where Gloria resided. It prompt Gloria to
become more involved when she saw the kindness and sincerity of Mr. David McKeen, and thought if he
were to win that he would address the needs in her community during election time Mr. McKeen was
selected and he did deliver all he said he would do for the community he was loved and appreciated by
the community at large.
Gloria worked on committee after committee during one of her job landing as a Social Worker for The
North End Criminal Justice and Diversion Project.
Veith House where she would meet the needs of empowering individuals and families.
Black United Front (BUF) where she a roses an worked as an Advocate and Resource Agency for the
black community in Nova Scotia BUF assist in development of a positive black self-image, developing
leadership and community organization skills and that Gloria demonstrated.
Gloria made it her business that people who were in need were treated equal and not over looked. She
enjoyed sharing food to her community, housed fashion shows, picnics where provided to the children of
underserve community's where they were allowed to have an opportunity to experience horse back riding,
games, winning prizes and coming together as a community at large.
Loving people in general was easy for Gloria she felt it was her duty to take care of all she came in
contact with. It was necessary for her to work as a Social Worker where she could witness the needs of
her community which drove her to passion to deliver what was needed for the people at large Gloria
stopped at nothing she felt it was her duty to deliver and that she did.
Gloria grew sick with Cancer over the years and was unable to complete the many task of the need of her
community however she did not allow being sick to stop her from addressing the needs of her community
she would speak with other's to get the job done! She was concern about a particular cross walk in her
community many have experience accidents and she thought something had to be done with using all the
strength she had she and her daughter prepared a petition she informed her daughter to have community
members sign and she would see that it would be send off to the Government Officials., Gloria was able
to have a traffic light installed in the community during the early 1980's., Gloria marched for equal justice
within her community she believed in privileges for all people. She was one to stand up for her rights as
well as the rights of others.
Education was the key for Gloria her model was “ If you didn't have a good education you wouldn't go far
in life” she drilled that in the minds of her children. Gloria continue involvement in seminar after
seminar, committee after committee advocating for the people. It was her business to gain as much
knowledge as possible concerning her community as well as the welfare of others.
Gloria died on November 7th of 1982, she left behind her husband and 11 children. Gloria is the Mother
of Teena Soule who is the Founder and Executive Director of Makria Youth Centre of Excellence.
As a girl growing up in the North End community watching the action of my mother Gloria Adams drive
for other's has influenced me to carry out her legacy in helping others to meet their full potential.
This prestigious Award will be offered to youth who excel during their academics who demonstrate
interest in becoming what they believe they can and who demonstrates passion for others and never give
up on their dream.