Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis

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Explore the events, performances, stories, and community moments connected to Breaking Barriers and EnRoute 2 Success’s ongoing work to keep Gloria Baylis’s legacy visible.

Who Was Gloria Baylis?

  • Portrait of Gloria Baylis in her younger years

    Born in Barbados

    Gloria Baylis was born in Barbados before later pursuing nursing training in the United Kingdom. Her early education prepared her for a career in healthcare that would eventually bring her to Canada.

  • Gloria Baylis working as a nurse during her early nursing career in Montreal

    Moving to Montreal

    After settling in Montreal, Baylis worked as a nurse while raising her family. Like many immigrants building a new life in Canada, she balanced professional responsibilities with family life and community connections.

  • Gloria Baylis seated with colleagues during her early nursing career

    A Landmark Case

    In 1964, Baylis filed a complaint after being denied a nursing position at Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Brought under Quebec’s Act Respecting Discrimination in Employment, the case became one of the earliest racial discrimination complaints of its kind in Canada and lasted more than a decade, drawing national attention to workplace discrimination.

  • Portrait of Gloria Baylis later in life wearing a black hat and smiling

    Entrepreneurship

    Later in her life, Baylis founded Baylis Medical in 1986. The company grew into a successful medical device business with international reach, reflecting her determination and entrepreneurial vision.

  • Youth performer on stage during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis with historic photos projected behind

    Legacy

    Today, Gloria Baylis’s story continues to be shared through community initiatives, historical research, and projects such as Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis.

    Through youth performance and educational programming, new generations are introduced to the events that shaped her legacy.

Breaking Barriers

Since Breaking Barriers premiered in 2025, the production has been presented in multiple communities, introducing audiences to an important chapter of Canadian history through youth performance and community engagement.

Each staging creates opportunities to learn about Gloria Baylis’s legacy while supporting EnRoute 2 Success’s mission of helping youth build confidence, skills, and new experiences through diverse programming.

The production premiered at the Cyril Clark Theatre in Brampton during Black History Month in partnership with Brampton Library. The event included a fireside chat featuring Gloria Baylis’s son Frank Baylis, human rights lawyer Lavinia Latham, and playwright Denée Rudder.

Brampton Premiere

The second staging brought the production to Niagara Falls and expanded the experience beyond the performance itself. The event included a mini exhibit timeline highlighting key moments in Gloria Baylis’s life, along with an interactive reflection station.

Niagara Falls Performance

The third presentation took place in Montreal at Collège Beaubois in Pierrefonds, in collaboration with W.I.B.C.A. The performance held particular significance, as the events at the centre of Gloria Baylis’s legal case took place in the city.

Montreal Performance

EnRoute 2 Success continues exploring opportunities to bring Breaking Barriers new communities and audiences.

Support the Next Show

Supporters and Partners

Since the premiere of Breaking Barriers, the production has been supported by partners, sponsors, venues, and community organizations.

EnRoute 2 Success is grateful to everyone who has helped bring Gloria Baylis’s story to the stage.

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All proceeds from Breaking Barriers support EnRoute 2 Success programs that provide youth with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership, and explore new experiences.

Learn More

Explore articles, blog posts, and media coverage highlighting Breaking Barriers and the legacy of Gloria Baylis.

Articles and Media

Performer using a typewriter on stage during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis play

Media Coverage

Stories and Blog Posts

Our Most Recent Performance!

Take a look back at a few moments from our most recent sold out performance of Breaking Barriers. We extend our sincere thanks to the partners, supporters, and community members whose support helped make the event possible.

  • Youth actors performing a dinner table scene during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis play
  • Panelists laughing during live discussion at Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Attendees wearing Young Gifted and Rising hoodies at Breaking Barriers community event
  • Youth performers take a bow on stage after the Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis theatre production
  • Speaker addressing audience at podium during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Audience members watching the Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis stage production
  • Audience members greeting each other inside theatre before the Breaking Barriers performance
  • Actor portraying historical character in Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis stage production
  • Narrator speaking at podium during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis community event
  • Stage performance scene from Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis with audience watching
  • Speaker at podium at Collège Beaubois during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event in Montreal
  • Three attendees posing in front of EnRoute 2 Success backdrop at Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Actors performing dialogue scene during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis theatre production
  • Actor performing dialogue scene during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis theatre production
  • Food served at reception following Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Speaker presenting at podium at Collège Beaubois during the Breaking Barriers event
  • Food served at reception following Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Fish cakes served at reception following Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis event
  • Guests enjoying Caribbean food and refreshments during Breaking Barriers reception
  • Attendees serving food at reception table after Breaking Barriers theatre event
  • Speaker in yellow jacket sharing remarks during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis panel discussion
  • Group photo in front of EnRoute 2 Success backdrop at Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis
  • Wide view of stage and audience during Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis live production
  • Youth performers and organizers posing in front of EnRoute 2 Success backdrop after Breaking Barriers event

“I would attend again to allow more family members and friends to experience transformative Canadian history that would have been lost were it not for this play and panel discussion.”

What Attendees Are Saying

Would you like to help support future performances of Breaking Barriers?

For more information on sponsorship or vendor opportunities, please contact Renee Rudder at info@enroute2success.ca

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