TRIBUTES HAVE flooded in to leading race equality campaigner and educator Dame Jocelyn Barrow who has died. She was 91.
Born in Trinidad, Dame Jocelyn came to the UK in 1959 to complete her postgraduate teaching qualification thus becoming part of the Windrush Generation migration to Britain.
She went on to become a founding member and General Secretary of CARD (Campaign Against Racial Discrimination), the organisation responsible for the Race Relations legislation of 1968.
In addition to her race equality campaign work she was a senior teacher, and later a teacher-trainer, at Furzedown College and the Institute of Education, University of London in the ’60s.
Dame Jocelyn pioneered the introduction of multi-cultural education, which stressed tailoring learning to the needs of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds.
High profile appointments
And her equal opportunities and educational expertise was reflected in the many high profile appointments and government positions she was given and the awards that were bestowed upon her.
She was the first black woman Governor of the BBC and Founder and Deputy Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Council, Governor of the Commonwealth Institute for eight years, Vice-president of the United Nations Association in the UK and Northern Ireland and a Patron of the Brixton-based Black Cultural Archives.
In 1972 she was awarded the OBE for work in the field of education and community relations.
In 1992 she received the DBE for her work in broadcasting and her contribution to the work of the European Union as the UK Member of the Social Economic Committee.
A statement on the Black Cultural Archives website said: “It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dame Jocelyn Barrow on Thursday 9 April 2020. Our deepest condolence go to her family at this difficult time.
An illustrious educator, campaigner and leader
“Dame Jocelyn was our first Patron and the first of many things in her illustrious life as an Educator, Campaigner, Leader and Friend of BCA.
“She was the first black Governor of the BBC, also the founder and Deputy Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Council and it was around that time she had a key influence in the founding of Black Cultural Archives.
“She was a driver for positive change throughout her life and made a huge impact on countless generations within her community.”
The statement went on: “Dame Jocelyn was tireless in championing the cause for a better Britain, maintaining that it was the key reason to wanting to travel to the United Kingdom as a Windrush pioneer, to join in the collective rebuild of the “mother country.’
‘A great pioneering spirit’
Dawn Hill CBE, Chair of Black Cultural Archives, said: “Dame Jocelyn was a great pioneering spirit and was a true champion of racial equality and our history and culture. We will miss her very much.”
Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott also paid tribute.
She told The Voice: “When I first met Joycelyn Barrow I was a brash young activist in my twenties and she was already a grand dame of the anti-racist struggle.
“Long before she actually became a dame, she had a natural authority and could command any room.
“But Joycelyn was at the heart of post-war West Indian politics in London and a pioneer of anti-racist struggle. Like all of that post war generation of black activists Jocelyn’s roots were in the anti-colonial struggle of her homeland. In her case this was Trinidad.
“Anti-colonialism was not just incidental to the black activism of the era. It offered a coherent and unifying analysis. And brought together black and brown activists whose origins were in many different parts of the Commonwealth.
“In 1965 she helped to set up the Campaign against Racial Discrimination (CARD). She worked alongside a number of activists who were to become well known including: Anthony Lester, David Pitt, C. L. R. James and Dipak Nandy. (Dipak Nandy’s daughter is the well known Labour politician Lisa Nandy). David Pitt was a particularly close ally.
Abbott continued: “Jocelyn went on to occupy senior positions in a number of organisations including being a governor of the BBC. Without the work of her generation of activists, black and brown people in this country could never have achieved the advances we see today. Rest in power Dame Jocelyn.”
Without the work of her generation of activists, black and brown people in this country could never have achieved the advances we see today. Rest in power Dame Jocelyn.”
Diane Abbott MP, former shadow Home Secretary
Brent MP Dawn Butler tweeted: “The amazing Dame Jocelyn Barrow has sadly died. A pioneer, without her we wouldn’t have the Race Relations act. She was the first black woman to become a governor of the BBC. On her shoulders we stand. May she R.I.E.P.”
Activist and campaigner Patrick Vernon said: “It was honour working with Dame Jocelyn Barrow over the years especially in promotion black history and breaking the glass ceiling in the heritage sector. I had the priviledge in presenting the lifetime achievement award back in 2018 at the Blacksox awards. She was a true icon and hero for us all from the Windrush Generation who has now passed on to the ancestors.”
Broadcaster Brenda Emmanus tweeted: “A pioneer and a powerhouse. May she rest in peace. R.I.P sweet lady.”
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9 Comments
Dame Jocelyn was a powerhouse in my life, too. She selected and mentored me in my early role in public service while I was artistic director of Temba Theatre Company in the late 1980s. She was always there to ask advice in my work to achieve diversity in Broadcasting. The last time we had a long conversation was when one of our leading spokespeople got into trouble and she was as keen minded in her later years as she always was. Just about two weeks ago I was minded to call her to see how she was during the lockdown to see if I could do anything to help her. I am mad that I didn’t act on this feeling and now it is too late. But she will know that she lives on in the hearts and minds of many who connected with her. Like my mother, she was a strong woman from the Caribbean who made sure things that needed to be done got done. We will always remember her.
Dame Jocelyn was a family friend and was instrumental in helping my daughter a medical Dr and later specialist as a GP May she rest in peace
Eternal Thanks to u Dame Jocelyn Barrow for all u have done .May you R.I.P
Too often our black heroes and heroines only attain international acclaim after they depart from this life. Dame Joycelyn Barrow’s achievements should be celebrated worldwide. I had the honour of having had many insightful conversations with her when she and my sister, Kamala Ramdeen, Barrister-at-Law, ran the North Kensington Family Centre, lifting young at-risk black women to another level. And throughout my career in London, as an Inspector of Schools in the ILEA, as Deputy Director/Head of Quality Assurance in the Borough of Haringey, and as Chair of the late Cardinal Basil Hume’s Committee on the Catholic Church’s commitment to the black Community, I often turned to her for advice. Indeed, in many ways she was my mentor. There are many, like me, who stood on the shoulders of persons like Dame Joycelyn, who initiated the struggle for justice for black and minority ethnic communities. The struggle continues. Dame Joycelyn, as you join the Heavenly hosts, intercede for us so that our efforts to promote justice for all will become a reality. May you Rest In Peace.
Although I never met Jocelyn Barrow, she paved the way for activists like myself both on the broader political and community fronts and in the so called Trade Union movement. Her pioneering work was invaluable, especially around the early race relations acts , which laid the foundations of what we now have.
There can be no doubt that racial equality has improved in England and the rest of the UK, however, we cannot afford to take our collective eyes off the ball and must continue with the fight, otherwise we run the risk of ruining Jocelyn Barrow’s legacy.
Sorry to learn about this.
Such an honour to have worked with you for those years we shared in Brussels at ECOSOC but more than ever to have had you as a long time friend has enriched my life.
A champion of equality for non white peoples she showed by example the fearless approach needed to face the challenges.
We will miss her leadership she was a powerhouse I suggest there must be a service/event to celebrate and honour this hero of our community when the current situation is brought under control and freedom of movement returns ??
It was a real honour to have worked alongside Dame Jocelyn for over a decade and to have been mentored by such a formidable woman in the early years of my career. She taught me so much and I dedicate all my ED&I work and personal values to her. She created so much of the foundation upon which we build today. Rest in Power DJB x