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New exhibition to explore histories of Black and South Asian feminist pioneers
As International Women’s Day approaches, a new exhibition exploring the history of Black and South Asian feminist activism in postwar Britain will open in Bristol.
Women Strike Back!, curated by academics from the University of Bristol and led by historian Saima Nasar, will be displayed at the St Paul’s Learning Centre and Bristol Central Library throughout March.
The exhibition brings together archival collections from the Bishopsgate Institute and the Feminist Archive South, highlighting the activism of Black and South Asian women in the 1970s and 1980s.
During that period, women organised through groups such as the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent, the Brixton Black Women’s Group and the United Black Women’s Action Group to campaign on issues including housing, healthcare, labour rights, education, reproductive rights and immigration.
Campaign against racist laws march in London back in 1981 led by South Asian women – photo: Val Wilmer/ Bishopsgate Institute
Through strikes, demonstrations, protests and print activism, these activists fought for greater social, political and economic equality while building solidarity networks across communities.
Dr Nasar said: “This is by no means an exhaustive historical overview, but we hope that in displaying these collections we can celebrate the stories of these powerful women. Our aim was to bring the rich archival materials we have encountered in our research into community spaces.”
The exhibition features photographs by artists including Maggie Murray, Val Wilmer, Pam Isherwood and Sheila Gray.
Adelaide Tambo at Anti-Botha Demonstration in London – photo: Maggie Murray/ Bishopsgate Institute
Other institutes and centres who supported the project include the University of Bristol’s Special Collections Arts and Social Sciences Library, St Paul’s Learning Centre, Bristol Central Library, the University’s Centre for Black Humanities and the Leverhulme Trust.
Bristol’s own Black and South Asian women have played no small part in breaking down barriers, challenging racial stereotypes and celebrating culture.
The exhibition is led by led by historian Dr Saima Nasar – photo: University of Bristol
Some of the pioneers included Carmen Beckford, one of the founders of St Paul’s Carnival and Bristol Bus Boycott leaders Barbara Dettering and Audrey Jeffers.
Women Strike Back! will run from March 9 to 31 at St Paul’s Learning Centre, with a joint display at Bristol Central Library.
Women Strike Back! exhibition will launch on March 9 at St Paul’s Learning Centre – photo: St Paul’s Learning Centre
The launch event on March 9 at St Paul’s Learning Centre will also feature a poetry reading from Bristol poet Vanessa Kisuule.
For free tickets for the event, visit www.ticketpass.org/women-strike-back-lauch-event
Main photo: Maggie Murray
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