Mothers of Disruption work-in-progress documentary
Sheryl Grant, Ann Verrall
50 min. 2027
Set against the backdrop of the developing civil rights movement in Nova Scotia, Mothers of Disruption explores the complexities of interracial friendship between our mothers (both teachers), Lalia Grant and Catherine Verrall and their activism during a time in Nova Scotia’s history when it was transitioning from segregation to integration. This project is also our personal journey to connect with our mothers and those that knew them, during this impactful time of our childhood. Our search takes us to the elder women who knew us and our mothers then where we gain insight into these successful collaborations at the forefront of this struggle in 1960s Halifax. Through a personal lens, Mothers looks at how a radical grassroots movement began to challenge the racial discrimination in education. At a time when hatred and racial discrimination is on the rise, Mothers offers us inspiration in the current political climate.
Sheryl Grant Bio
Sheryl is a journalist, teacher, storyteller and most recently a documentary director. Her 40-year journalism career at the Halifax Chronicle Herald spanned traditional reporting, newsroom leadership and digital innovation, and included roles as Director, Digital and Managing Editor. Sheryl currently teaches in the University of King’s College Journalism program. Since 2021, Sheryl has been adapting her storytelling skills for documentary filmmaking, working with filmmaker Ann Verrall on the Brunswick Cornwallis Preschool Legacy Project. Her goal is to share her community’s rich history and stories with a wider audience.
Ann Verrall, Sheryl Grant, Krys Verrall, Elizabeth Verrall with photo of themselves from 1964
Lalia shares story with Catherine about Sheryl being rejected from nursery school because she is Black.
1963 Catherine & Lalia write articles for the newspaper about the impact of racism on children.
Sheryl & Ann visit Africville site
Muriel Cromwell, Assistant Founding Director of the Brunswick Cornwallis Pre-School tells how she met Catherine Verrall
Animated scene illustrating Muriel’s story
Carolyn Thomas, cousin of Sheryl Grant, shares stories of their ancestry.
Pastor Maxine Gough, friend to both Lalia Grant and Catherine Verrall, shares stories of life in 1960s Halifax
