Valerie Jerome

Valerie Jerome (born 28 April 1944) is an African-Canadian retired Track and Field sprinter, educator, and political activist. She competed in the women's 100 metres at the 1960 Summer Olympics. She finished third in the 1959 Pan American Games 4 × 100 metres relay. Jerome also finished seventh in the 1959 Pan American Games long jump. Jerome is the only Canadian athlete to compete in five track and field events in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or Pan-American Games. She is the sister of Harry Jerome and the granddaughter of John "Army" Howard.

Personal life Jerome was born in Saint Boniface, Winnipeg on 28 April 1944. Her grandfather, Canadian Olympian John Howard, represented Canada at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Howard was the first Black Canadian to run the 100 and 200m events at the Olympic Games.

After Winnipeg's 1950 Red River Flood, the family moved to North Vancouver. There was a petition to keep the family from moving into their house across the road from Ridgeway Elementary. The petition ultimately failed.

1959 Pan-American Games Jerome competed in the 1959 Pan-American games in Chicago, USA.

Post-athletic career Educator Jerome graduated from University of British Columbia in 1976 with a Bachelor of Education. The Jerome Outreach Society, works to hire various coaches, ranging from professional level to university varsity, and senior high school athletes, to coach at Vancouver area low income schools. At no cost to the schools or the athletes, the Outreach Society hires for a variety of sports including: basketball, track and field, soccer, cross country running, and ultimate frisbee. Since 2007, over 2000 kids have participated, many from low-income backgrounds.

Jerome also helps facilitate an athletic club for inner-city children named in honour of her brother, as well as the Harry Jerome International Track Classic.

Political career Jerome championed environmental issues such green spaces and sustainability. Between the years 1985 and 2000, Jerome ran in seven elections for the Green Party, at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Her son Stuart Parker led the Green Party of British Columbia from 1993 to 2000.

Community work Jerome volunteered with the Vancouver Writers Festival for 15 years, has worked with the BC Cancer Agency on fundraising, and currently serves on the board of directors of the Vancouver Junior Professional Division Society.