- A leading abolitionist and suffragist: She was the first Black woman to publish and edit a North American newspaper "The Provincial Freeman", and the first Black woman to attend law school.
- Educator and Activist: She started a school for Black girls in Canada and worked for women's suffrage and equal rights, becoming a prominent figure in abolitionist and suffrage movement.
- Newspaper owner and editor: she founded and edited The Provincial Freeman, a weekly newspaper that addressed political, social, and cultural issues affecting Black Canadians and the broader African diaspora.
- Advocate for education: Shad believed that education was crucial to the advancement of Black People, and she established schools for Black children and adults in both the United States and Canada.
- Political Involvement: Shadd was a vocal critic of slavery and discrimination and campaigned for the abolition of racists practices and the recognition of the rights of Black Americans and Black Canadians.
- Public Speaker and lecturer: She traveled widely, giving lectures, and speeches on abolitionism, women's rights, and other social justice issues.
- Author and Poet: Shadd wrote several influential essays, poems, and articles, including" Notes on Canada West," which detailed the experiences and challenges faced by Black settlers in Canada.