Barbara Howard, athlete and educator is widely known for making history in the athletic arena. However, she also blazed a trail in the education sector as the first Black person hired by the Vancouver School Board, where she spent the majority of her 43-year career.

The youngest of five children, Howard grew up in East Vancouver after her family relocated from Winnipeg. She is believed to be the first Black female athlete to represent Canada in international competition. At only 17-years-old she broke the British Empire record for the 100-yard dash, qualifying to represent Canada at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia.

Following the Empire Games, Howard returned to Vancouver, determined to become a teacher. She attended Normal School for teacher training. Her first teaching job was in Port Alberni.

In 1941, Howard returned to Vancouver, where she was employed as a substitute teacher. When she was asked if she would teach a physical education class for boys at Strathcona School, she agreed. The principal was impressed by her teaching, and soon she was offered a full-time job. She continued her professional development and later enrolled at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Education in 1959.

Howard's educational career saw her teach students at Hastings, Henry Hudson and Trafalgar elementary schools. At Trafalgar she taught students with special needs, many of whom went on to advanced degrees.

Howard taught for 43 years; 14 of those as a physical education teacher, retiring from the District in 1984. Howard passed away in Vancouver in January 2017 and her legacy remains an inspiration to staff in Vancouver and beyond as a testament to the pursuit of equity in education.