From the Heart confirmed my earlier impressions of Mary Anne based on encounters from numerous community events. She is an accomplished person of integrity. I found myself totally engaged as she revealed how her experiences emanating from positions of privilege served to tackle both personal and societal issues in a practical and caring way.

From The Heart is a timely, refreshing, and authentic memoir of Mary Anne’s pathway to success from Jamaica, the land of her birth, to her chosen home of Canada and inspires readers to be the best that we can be.

From the Heart speaks to the heart, opens the mind and challenges one to be and do better. Dr. Chambers reflects on her full and impactful life, gently sharing wisdom and insights from her personal and professional achievements and learnings. Her journey of caring, commitment and courage — indeed all that she has done and will continue to do — is characterized by genuine humility, profound gratitude and unshakeable integrity. Reading her book is not only solace for troubling times, it gives one hope for creating a happier future.

In the well-written biography, From the Heart, we meet Mary Anne Chambers, daughter, wife, mother, banker, politician, community supporter, grandmother. Mary Anne excels in each of those roles

Remarkably inspirational, especially for women and girls of colour. The breaking of a triple glass ceiling in not one, but two, of the most restricted areas they face, politics and finance. Dr. Chambers outlines her path in these extraordinary challenges while maintaining the highest degree of humanity, compassion and enthusiasm, in the midst of building her community.

In her autobiography, Mary Anne Chambers writes ‘from the heart’, revealing to us her true soul, a leader with the power of conviction, fearless in her pursuit of justice and equality for all. Her journey of self-discovery emboldens each of us to become the best we can be, persons audacious enough to dedicate our lives to love and service.

In From the Heart, Mary Anne Chambers does us all the favour of detailing her life’s journey — from high school in Jamaica, to senior leadership roles at Scotiabank, to cabinet minister in Ontario and significant roles in community service. Our community and Canada need stories of Black accomplishments told by Black leaders and the author delivers with a heartfelt easy-to-read story of grit, determination and inspired leadership. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and encouragement in making a difference.

As a long-time friend and fellow political traveller I can say with confidence that Mary Anne absorbed the Christian lessons of her childhood and walked the difficult road of humility, justice, and mercy in business, politics and life. A delightful and thoughtful read.

This is no ordinary autobiography. Mary Anne sets out a clear choice for each of us to make — to be either an advocate or an observer. Central to her life journey, and now shared with us in engaging detail, is what caused her to be an advocate for good from childhood through to the present. Integrity, passion, loving your neighbour, shine through every page. Mary Anne, thank you for showing the power of not sitting passively on the fence, but instead demonstrating the rewards of taking action at every opportunity.

A wonderful book full of wisdom and hope. A fresh and unpredictable memoir by a remarkable woman who recognized from an early age her obligation to share the privileges and benefits she enjoyed growing up in Jamaica, as a senior banker in Canada, as a Cabinet Minister in the Ontario Government and as a volunteer and philanthropist. Mary Anne’s life story makes a potent case for what can be accomplished when we work together in shared dignity and mutual respect. A tonic for our times.

I am drawn to calm and strong and Minister Chambers (I still call Mary Anne, ‘Minister’) personifies that. I did not know the foundation of love, empathy and compassion that is within her until I got to know her better. I hope this book encourages all of us to use whatever influence and power we all possess for good, as she has done, for it is not our obligation to change the world, yet we are not exempt from trying.

Mary Anne Chambers's experience spans the worlds of business, government, and community service. She has been recognized with an Order of Ontario, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and four honorary doctorates. She lives in Thornhill, Ontario.

Contents

• Preface

1. Walking Humbly
2. A Grateful Daughter
3. I Do
4. My Ways Are Not Your Ways
5. O Canada
6. A Delicate Balance
7. Being a Scotiabanker
8. Governance
9. Answering the Call
10. My Political Campaign
11. Training, Colleges, and Universities
12. Children and Youth Services
13. Wards of the Crown
14. The Autism Challenge
15. It Is Easier to Build Strong Children
16. I Am What I Aspire to Be, Not What I Now Am
17. Stigma, Shame, and Blame
18. Serving the Public Good
19. The Time Is Always Right to Do What Is Right
20. The Only Ones Among You Who Will Be Really Happy
21. Back to Business
22. Citizens of the World
23. The World Is Brought to Its Knees
24. A Way Forward

• Acknowledgements
• About the Author