Elizabeth Cromwell

Elizabeth Ann Cromwell (née Gallion; September 4, 1944 – October 2, 2019) was an African Nova Scotian and Black Loyalist. She dedicated her career to the celebration of African Nova Scotian History and recognising the experiences of the Birchtown black loyalists. She was recognised with an Order of Nova Scotia in 2019.

Education and early career Cromwell grew up in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of James and Annabelle Gallion. She attended the Shelburne Regional High School and trained in social work at the Halifax Vocational School. She worked for the Children's Aid Society where she served as a case work supervisor. Cromwell led the Black Heritage Society until 2002, and again from 2008 to 2016. An archaeological dig near Cromwell's family home revealed over 10,000 artefacts from the late 1700s. When Birchtown was founded in 1783 it was the largest settlement of free black people in North America.

Cromwell died on October 2, 2019.

Awards and honours She was awarded an honorary degree at Mount Saint Vincent University in 2014. Cromwell had previously been awarded a 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and Canada Medal. She was honoured during the Birchtown African history month at the 2019 Municipal Proclamation Launch. Her efforts were celebrated with a posthumous Order of Nova Scotia in November 2019. She was the second person from Shelburne to be recognised with such an honour.

Personal life Cromwell was first married to Joseph Howard and later to Everett Sylvester Cromwell.