Portia May White, a contralto and teacher, was born on June 24, 1911, in Truro, NS, and passed away on February 13, 1968, in Toronto, ON. Notably, she was the first Black Canadian concert singer to achieve international acclaim, solidifying her status as one of the preeminent classical vocalists of the 20th century.
Her voice was often described as "a gift from heaven," and she drew favorable comparisons to the celebrated African American contralto, Marian Anderson.
In recognition of her exceptional talent, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust was established in 1944 with the explicit purpose of allowing White to focus on her burgeoning professional career. Moreover, her contributions were commemorated when the Government of Canada conferred upon her the title of a "person of national historic significance" in 1995.