William Pearly Oliver


William Pearly Oliver worked at the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church for twenty-five years and was instrumental in developing the four leading organizations to support Black Nova Scotians in the 20th century: Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, the Black United Front and the Black Cultural Centre. He was instrumental in supporting the case of Viola Desmond. Oliver was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984.
His wife Pearleen Borden Oliver was also a strong advocate for social justice.