About – Valerie Jerome

About Valerie Jerome

Introduction

Valerie Jerome is an Olympian, retired elementary teacher, environmental activist, and award-winning author whose story reflects a deep commitment to justice, community, and historical truth. From participation in the Rome 1960 Olympics to school classrooms and international stages, Valerie has dedicated her life to advocacy, athletics, and education.

Early Life & Athletic Achievements

Valerie Jerome was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1944. Her family moved to North Vancouver in 1951, where she was raised alongside her siblings, including the legendary sprinter Harry Jerome. At age 15, Valerie became the Canadian Senior Women’s champion in both the sprints and long jump. Later that year, she placed fourth in the 100m and earned a bronze medal in the relay at the 1959 Pan American Games.

A year later, just after turning 16, she represented Canada at the 1960 Rome Olympics. She continued competing internationally, including at the 1966 British Commonwealth Games. In addition to her athletic career, Valerie served for over 30 years as a Chief Official for jumping events in track and field, officiating at national and international meets, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Teaching Career

Valerie began teaching in the Vancouver school system in 1964, later completing her Bachelor of Education through night classes and summer school. She taught at several schools, including Southlands, where she inspired her students to engage with public issues.

One memorable moment came when her Grade 5 class presented individual briefs at provincial hearings to preserve the University Endowment Lands. Their voices contributed to the creation of what is now Pacific Spirit Park.

Advocacy, Community Work & Political Involvement

A lifelong advocate for environmental protection, social justice, and educational access, Valerie became politically active in the 1980s. She ran as a Green Party candidate in six elections at the civic, provincial, and federal levels.

She has also been a board member for organizations such as the Vancouver Youth theatre, BC Black Educators, the BC Cancer Foundation, and served as a long time volunteer with the Vancouver Writer’s festival and the Vancouver dance community.

Author of RACES

Valerie wrote RACES to illuminate the hidden stories of racism in Canada, particularly those faced by her family. Motivated by the sudden death of her brother Harry Jerome, she wanted to ensure his legacy—and the broader history of Black Canadians—was preserved with honesty and dignity. The book is a story of Black life in Canada, athletic greatness, and resilience in the face of institutional discrimination and racism.

Personal Life & Legacy

Valerie raised her son Stuart as a single parent from the age of four. She credits motherhood as one of the most defining parts of her life. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Harry Jerome statue on the Stanley Park Seawall, and successfully worked with the West Vancouver Council for the renaming of the West Vancouver Secondary School track to the Harry Jerome Oval, as well as the naming of the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre in North Vancouver.

Valerie has benches bearing her name at both the Stanley Park Seawall and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School — symbols of a life committed to education, equity, and excellence.

Hero Quotes

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

- Maya Angelou

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

- James Baldwin

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Valerie JEROME

Valerie JEROME