A legacy of care inspired by family and trailblazers
Rooted in family tradition
Nursing runs in the family for Trinitee Armstrong, a second-year Practical Nursing student at NSCC’s Kingstec Campus. Her grandmother, a Registered Nurse (RN) from Trinidad and Tobago, came to Canada as a single mother of two boys, using her nursing credentials to build a new life. “She always praised how being an RN was the only reason why she had that opportunity and wants nothing more than for me to have as many opportunities as her, if not more,” says Trinitee. Her path to nursing was shaped by early experiences in her life with her family.
Embracing her caring nature
From summers in Montreal with her grandmother, where they spent time with her senior's group, to helping her father recover when he suffered a stroke, she found so much joy in helping them. “Because of my father, I gained a lot of patience and understanding, and it brought out my caring nature even more,” says Trinitee. “He would always help me with my English or my math problems. This was not only helping me, but it was also helping him gain his writing skills back and keep his brain moving and stimulated.”
These moments made her confident in pursuing a career of caring for others. Initially pursuing a psychology degree and realizing it wasn’t the path for her, she decided the next best thing to give back to her community was enrolling in NSCC’s Continuing Care program at Ivany Campus. After graduating from the program in 2022, she decided to follow in her family’s footsteps to a career in nursing.
Inspired by the legacy of Daurene Lewis
Returning to school meant figuring out her finances. After learning about the student awards available, she discovered the Daurene Lewis Memorial Award, finding more than financial support – she found inspiration. "Reading about Daurene's story had me tearing up," she shares. "Hearing that a Black woman from Nova Scotia was able to do so much with the time she had on earth is amazing."
Learning about Daurene Lewis deeply moved Trinitee. "Daurene was not only Canada’s first Black female mayor, but she excelled in it,” says Trinitee. “Anything she did, from being a nurse, to a business owner, to a teacher and being the director of the Centre for Women in Business at Mount Saint Vincent University, and she was still able to give back to her community. That’s amazing!”
When she received the award, she felt honoured and seen. It was like a weight had been lifted, and she could worry less about finances and focus on her studies.
Carrying forward with community care
Looking ahead, Trinitee plans to continue her path to becoming an RN with an interest in mental health nursing to address mental health awareness in Black communities and create safe spaces for discussion and support. "Mental health isn't always talked about, especially in Black communities," she explains. "I want to be able to go into communities and talk about mental health, have a mental health week full of education and be a listening ear for them."
Trinitee has the determination to make a difference, inspired by Daurene Lewis’ story, stating, "I want to be able to take what I learn throughout my journey and give it back to my black community. Because if she did it, so can I, and if I could do it, maybe it will encourage another little boy or girl to do the same.”
Lastly, she encourages current and future students like her to apply for student awards, her advice is: "Apply, apply, apply. Don't be scared or feel ashamed to apply for any sort of award or financial aid. We all could use a little help sometimes, and that's ok."
Supporting Daurene’s legacy
Continue inspiring students Trinitee by donating online to the Daurene Lewis Memorial Award, or learn about more ways to give to support Black and African Canadian students at NSCC by contacting the Foundation:
By phone (toll-free): 1-866-745-7919 | Fax: (902) 491-4828
Email:
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