TRIBUTES FOR TRAILBLAZER
TRIBUTES have been paid to “iconic legend” Betty Campbell, who in the 1970s became Wales’ first black headteacher.
Mrs Campbell, who died on Friday night, has been described as someone who “was held in great affection by so many young people”.
Born in 1934, she became the country’s first black headteacher with her post at Mount Stuart Primary in Butetown, Cardiff.
She got the job despite being left in tears after being told it was an impossible dream to become a black headteacher in post-war Britain.
Margaret Thomas, who knew Betty through Unison’s Black Members Group, said: “She was a great pioneer for black women in Wales, showing the way forward.
“She was a positive role model for all black people and was loved in the community.”
Mrs Campbell was a patron of Black History Month in Wales. Her friend Uzo Iwobi, who is on the Black History Month committee, said a tribute would be paid at the event’s finale later this month.
Only last month Betty was honoured at Black History Month’s launch at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay when she was made a Patron of the Black History Movement in Wales.
Mrs Iwobi, who is also chief executive of Race Council Cymru, said Mrs Campbell had been ill for some months.
She said: “We are absolutely devastated to hear of the death of our much-beloved patron Betty Campbell.
“We salute this iconic legend, a remarkable headmistress, an inspirational leader and a genuine champion of Black History Month in Wales.
“Once known, never forgotten. Betty will be sorely missed by all of us who have served on Black History Month alongside her.”
Cardiff South MP Stephen Doughty, who first met Mrs Campbell as a child, said: “This is incredibly sad news. Betty was a stalwart of the Butetown and Bay community for decades.
“She was fiercely independent and fiercely strong in her advocacy for local people, and fiercely passionate about the diversity and history of the amazing docks communities, which she served for so many years.
“She was held in great affection by so many young people who grew up under her teaching at local schools, but she was also known for her work as a councillor and community activist.
“When I last saw Betty a month ago she was, as ever, wanting to put me on the spot about various community concerns but, as ever, she did it with a genuineness and passion for her community and the people she herself represented.
“She was truly one of the greats of the docks community and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to work with her, be taught by her or worked alongside her.
In 2003, Mrs Campbell was made an honorary fellow of UWIC – now Cardiff Metropolitan University – for services to education and community life, for which she was also awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. She was on the Race Relations Board from 1972-76, a governor of BBC Wales from 1980-84, a member of the Home Office’s Race Advisory Committee, and served in many education roles.
In 2015 Kebba Manneh, chairman of Unison Cymru’s Black Members Group, presented her with a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to black history in Welsh education.
He said what she achieved was “fantastic”.
“She was a lovely lady; people respected her hugely,” he said.
“The role that she played was very important and she was a role model for all of us.
“She was wonderful and will be missed a lot.”
Former pupils have spoken about how every month was Black History Month at school with Mrs Campbell.
Mrs Campbell herself said: “When I was a head in my school, I looked at black history, the Caribbean, Africa and slavery and the effects.
“That was just a junior school, but there were people who said, ‘You should not be teaching that.’
“Why not? It happened. Children should be made aware.
“Even now I have ex-pupils in their 60s saying, ‘Thanks for the black history that you taught us.’
“What should come out is that you can eventually rise up from these depths.”
Mrs Campbell also represented Butetown for both Labour and as an Independent.
Her husband Rupert Campbell confirmed she died at home in Butetown, Cardiff, on Friday.
Her family told the BBC they were all “deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother”.
“Coming from humble beginnings, she was an inspiration to us all and to the wider community and proved that with determination, anything is achievable,” they said.
“Betty Campbell was a beacon of light that helped, encouraged and inspired many people from all walks of life. Her legacy will continue now and in future generations to come.”
EVERY so often someone comes along who has the courage and determination to change things for the better, for themselves and others.
Betty Campbell was one of those people.
As Wales’ first black headteacher, she was a role model and friend to many.
Told her dream of being a black headteacher faced “insurmountable” barriers at a time when racism was overt, she was left in tears – but soon set herself to overcoming all obstacles in her way.
As a visibly successful black woman leader, her legacy cannot be underestimated.
She stood as a symbol that black people in Wales could achieve at a time when society was very different.
And after she got her headteacher post in the 1970s, she didn’t stop there.
She used the role to push the barriers even further. Told she should not teach black history, she promptly set about doing just that.
Grown-up former pupils say they still recall those lessons.
Teaching pupils of all colours, her very presence was proof that times were changing forever.
But times cannot change without pioneers like Mrs Campbell, who have the courage, energy and talent to challenge stereotypes in such a positive way.
While there is still prejudice today, it is easy to forget just how much more there would have been when she was growing up and how tough it must have been for a black woman to forge a path in education.
Despite a busy job, she still found time for friends and the community she lived in.
She was described by those mourning her as being like family as well as a leader.
Born in 1934 in Cardiff Docks to a Jamaican father and Welsh Barbadian mother, Mrs Campbell won a scholarship to the city’s Lady Margaret High School for Girls.
There, a teacher told her that her ambition to become head of a school was beset by insurmountable problems.
Little could that teacher have known that the child in front of her would not only become Wales’ first black headteacher, but achieve other notable successes on top of that.
Mrs Campbell went on to represent Butetown for Labour and as an independent councillor, sat on the Race Relations Board between 1972-76, was governor of BBC Wales and a member of the Home Office’s Race Advisory Committee among other roles.
Awarded an MBE for services to the community and education, Mrs Campbell always had the courage to stand firm and that is truly inspirational – do not be deterred by an obstacle on your route to deserved success, break it down.
When told by some that she should not teach pupils about black history and slavery, she made it her mission to do so.
Mrs Campbell knew the importance of history if you are trying to make the future a better place.
Now she stands as an important part of Wales’ history.