Professor Emerita Naomi Black, a retired member of the Departments of Political Science and Women's Studies at York University, died in Halifax on Dec. 16, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Professor S.P. (Pat) Rosenbaum (University of Toronto), after they had retired and relocated to Nova Scotia to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. She was also a faculty member in women's studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.
Black, daughter of Max and Michal (Landsberg) Black, was born in England on Feb. 13, 1935, and grew up in the United States. After obtaining a BA from Cornell, as well as MA and PhD degrees at Yale University, she became the first woman appointed to the Political Science Department at York University in 1964.
As an academic, Black focused on international relations, nationalism and imperialism, as well as issues for women in politics and social feminism. Among other publications, she was one of several authors of three successive volumes of Canadian Women: A History, published in 1988, 1996 and 2011. She also edited Virginia Woolf's Three Guineas in 2001, and published Virginia Woolf as Feminist in 2004.
Black was active in the York community, especially in emerging issues of employment equity and women's studies. She was among the founders of the undergraduate and graduate programs in women's studies at the University, and she was active in reform efforts for women as a member of the Ontario Committee on the Status of Women.
In 1985, she was appointed advisor to the president on the status of women at York - where she founded the newsletter, "The Second Decade," recording the activities and ongoing challenges for women at the University. For many years, she also championed the Nellie Langford Rowell Library, serving as Chair of the library's board.
"Naomi Black was a superb mentor," recalls Simone Bohn, associate professor of political science at York. "Extremely kind and generous with her time, she managed to talk to junior scholars about academia's hidden curriculum whenever she could. Young academics flocked to hear her speak, actively seeking her advice. She patiently answered each person's queries. Always with soothing words, she quieted down worries, always providing sound advice regarding a path to chart."
Black is remembered by her students as a special teacher, who was both kind and generous, and her feisty support encouraged many women faculty in feminist activities at the University. Black's energy and major contributions were recognized in 2010, when she was awarded an honorary degree at York University. (See video at the end of this story).
Black is survived by two children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. To view or leave condolences, visit the Dartmouth Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd. website. Her family plans to hold a celebration of life at a later date.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
