A new $10 banknote is now in circulation, with a portrait of Viola Desmond as its main image.

It is the first regularly circulating Bank of Canada note to feature an iconic Canadian woman.

Desmond, a black businesswoman in Halifax, was convicted of tax evasion in 1946 -- over one penny -- after refusing to leave a whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Desmond challenged the conviction, but wasn't pardoned until 2010, long after she had died.

Her sister, Wanda Robson, spoke this morning at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where an event was held to celebrate the banknote's launch.

"My sister, a woman, a black woman, is on a $10 bill. The Queen is in good company," said Robson to laughter and applause.

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Also adorning the bill are: the CMHR, an eagle feather, the vaulted dome ceiling of the Library of Parliament, a map of north-end Halifax, and an excerpt from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Boyd Laanstra, senior analyst of visual content in the currency department of the Bank of Canada, says after Desmond was known to be the bill's portrait subject, a theme of Rights and Social Justice in Canada was selected.

The Charter excerpt is from Section 15: "Every individual is equal before and under the law, and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination."

The new bill is also vertically oriented, which Laanstra says there are two reasons for:

"Our current banknotes are horizontal, and we wanted to differentiate this one a little bit. The second reason, as well, is in the vertical portrait orientation, it frames the face beautifully," says Laanstra.

Bank note design specialist Martine Warren says, when it comes to security, this polymer note isn't drastically different compared to the last 10 dollar note but there is a small improvement. She says the BoC is looking at issuing new notes every few years so new security features can be added as they become available. Warren says polymer notes are 1.5-2 times more expensive than the old paper notes, but they last three times as long and can handle more wear and tear.

CMHR CEO CEO John Young says Desmond's story is a story for all Canadians, and the museum wants all Canadians to understand the story they're carrying in their pockets.