November 2nd 2024.
My grandmother, Betty Campbell, holds a special place in my heart. Not only was she a beloved member of our family, but she also made history as Wales' first Black headteacher in the 1970s. Her achievement fills me with elation, delight, and pride. However, it also brings feelings of disappointment as I am reminded of the structural racism that she faced in her journey to become a teacher, let alone a headteacher. Sadly, this same racism still exists in the education system today.
Recent research by the Education Workforce Council in Wales revealed that there were no Black headteachers or assistant headteachers between 2018 and 2022. In fact, there was only one listed as a deputy headteacher during those years. The numbers for 2024 are not much better, with no Black headteachers or assistant headteachers and only one deputy headteacher identified as Black/African/Caribbean/Black British. These statistics are disheartening, but my grandmother's legacy gives us hope.
She not only broke barriers by becoming the first Black headteacher in Wales, but she also made sure to incorporate Black History into her school's curriculum. Today, children visit her statue on school trips to learn about her life and the impact she had on education in Wales. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower us, and I would even go as far as to say that she created a tidal wave of change in the face of structural racism.
My grandmother was born in 1934 in Butetown, Cardiff, one of the oldest diverse communities in the country. Despite being from a disadvantaged area, she described her childhood as rich and nurturing. She had a tight-knit community that supported her to thrive and excel. Love, understanding, knowledge, cohesion, and warmth were all values that her community prioritized, and she carried them with her throughout her life.
She attended Lady Margaret High School for Girls on a scholarship, where she expressed her desire to become a teacher. Unfortunately, a teacher told her that the obstacles would be insurmountable, and this breaks my heart to think about. I myself have worked as a deputy headteacher for seven years, and both my mother and godmother were headteachers. I come from a background of strong female Black leadership, but I know that many children from African and Caribbean backgrounds are still told that becoming a teacher is out of reach, either through words or lower expectations from their teachers.
But my grandmother did not let that discourage her. In 1960, she attended Cardiff Teacher Training College, where she was one of the first six female students. After teaching at other schools, she began her 28-year tenure as the headteacher of Mount Stuart Primary School in Cardiff. She was a visionary leader, and long before it became official, she believed in the importance of teaching children to become informed and ethical citizens of not only Wales but the world.
My grandmother's impact went beyond just her school. She opened up people's worldviews to different cultures, languages, and lives, and she played a role in the creation of Black History Month in Wales. In 2019, it was decided that a statue of my grandmother should be built, which would be the first of a named woman, who actually lived, in an outdoor public space in Wales. This is a testament to her vision for a multicultural curriculum and her belief that all children should learn about the histories of people from diverse backgrounds.
I was fortunate to have 37 years with my grandmother, and some of my fondest memories are of our family holidays together. She instilled in us the importance of global community, and we would often talk about our family history during these trips. She shared with us her fight to recognize the contributions of merchant seamen during the war, among other stories. She was incredibly supportive and encouraging to her large family and was an inspiration to us all.
Her legacy of leadership has been passed down to many in our family, and we all have her to thank for showing us that we can see ourselves in distinguished professional positions and deserve to take up space. When she passed away in 2017, it was a painful loss, but her legacy lives on through her family and the anti-racist work happening in Wales today.
My grandmother was a trailblazer, a word that is often used to describe her, and for good reason. She was part of the Commission for Racial Equality and made sure her students learned about apartheid. Her ability to connect with people from all backgrounds was a gift that was recognized by the current King Charles during his visit to Mount Stuart in 1994.
This Black History Month, The Agency is celebrating the lives of Black trailblazers through their mini-series, Let Me Tell You About... I am proud to share my grandmother's story and the impact she had on education in Wales. Her legacy is something our family is incredibly proud of, and I have no doubt that the anti-racist work happening in Wales today would not be possible without her. She truly was a trailblazer.
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