Civil rights activist’s daughter is first black woman lord lieutenant
THE daughter of an American D-Day hero and civil rights campaigner has become the first black woman to be appointed a Lord Lieutenant.
Peaches Golding OBE will represent the Queen at ceremonial events in her adopted home city of Bristol.
The 64-year-old was born in South Carolina and went on to serve as a High Sheriff in Bristol after moving there 35 years ago.
Miss Golding said: ‘I came from an ordinary background and if I can inspire people to do extraordinary things, then that makes me very happy.’
Born and raised in the US south under segregation, she has a long family history in civil rights campaigning. Her father, D-Day veteran Charles Howser was an early defender of black rights who took on the Greyhound bus company after it tried to force him to sit at the back. He refused to do so – just like civil rights figurehead Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat for a white passenger.
His actions in 1947 challenged racial segregation laws and a judge ordered a $2,000 payout, which he used to buy a car. He told his daughter: ‘I gave some to the church and I bought a car so I won’t gotta ride the bus again.’
Miss Golding, who was give an OBE in 2009, met her husband Bob while he was running a zoo in Nigeria and the couple decided to settle in his home city of Bristol. She is known for her active part in public service and said the historic role of High Sheriff was a dream come true.
She said: ‘I think in terms of where I came from to get this is just amazing. I’ve lived and worked in Bristol for 35 years and very much taken Bristol to my heart so this means an enormous amount to me.’
‘I would really like to see Bristol proud of what we have achieved and what we do.
Miss Golding is also thought to have been the only black person to take on the 1,000year-old role of High Sheriff.