Monumental Welsh Women Launch Annual Betty Campbell Monument Lecture in Partnership with Senedd Cymru and Cardiff Council. 

It’s hard to believe that it’s just over a year since a statue to honour Betty Campbell MBE, Wales’ first black headteacher and champion of equality and diversity was unveiled in Cardiff city centre following a campaign by the Monumental Welsh Women group.

Take a look at our feature of the unveiling HERE.

Now, 13 months later, an annual lecture to honour the work of Betty Campbell is being launched by the Monumental Welsh Women group. The first is to be given by Professor OLIVETTE OTELE and is taking place in Cardiff Bay’s historic Pierhead Building this Thursday, October 27th. 

The BETTY CAMPBELL MONUMENT LECTURE aims to examine the areas of life in Wales and beyond that the educator and community leader worked to improve and promote. The event is part of this year’s Black History Month celebrations in the capital city. 

The title of the inaugural lecture is ‘Celebrating the Infinite Power of Education.’

Betty Campbell championed Wales’ multicultural heritage throughout her professional teaching career and in her community. Under her leadership, Mount Stuart Primary School in Butetown, Cardiff became a beacon for best practice in equality and multicultural education throughout the UK, a legacy that continues today. Betty Campbell also influenced Welsh life through a series of public appointments, serving as an independent councillor for Butetown, a board member for BBC Wales, a member of the Home Office’s race advisory committee and a member of the Commission for Racial Equality. She helped to create Black History Month. 

This year’s event will also mark the first anniversary of the unveiling of the Betty Campbell Monument in Cardiff, which took place in September 2021. The monument was designed and created by renowned figurative sculptor Eve Shepherd. 

The monument is the first of five statues of named Welsh women being erected by Monumental Welsh Women and was the first ever statue of a non-fictionalised Welsh woman in Wales. 

Cerith Mathias from Monumental Welsh Women told us…….

“​​Our Mission is to celebrate female ambition and success by commemorating the achievements of great Welsh Women  – and  to encourage the next generation of great Welsh women. Betty Campbell’s impact during her life was incredible, and I’m thrilled that we’ll continue to discuss the issues that she championed and hear from inspirational women doing important work today. 

We’re delighted that Professor Olivette Otele will give the first Betty Campbell Monument Lecture. Professor Otele is one of the most vital voices in the UK and we’re very much looking forward to hearing her speak.’

Professor Olivette Otele is an historian and author based in Newport. Otele is a Distinguished Professor of Legacies and the Memory Slavery at SOAS, University of London. She is a Fellow and former Vice President of the Royal Historical Society,  a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and has been a judge of the International Man Booker Prize.

Professor Otele said………..

“Betty Campbell was instrumental in my journey as a scholarly activist. It is an immense honour to give the first keynote for the Betty Campbell Monument Lecture”

Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS, Llywydd of the Senedd added……

“Betty Campbell’s enduring drive and energy continues to inspire and I’m looking forward to hearing Professor Otele speak.’

Councillor Julie Sangani, Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Equality and Public Health, Cardiff Council said…..

“Cardiff Council is delighted to partner with Monumental Welsh Women and the Senedd on delivering this wonderful event celebrating Betty Campbell’s lasting legacy. The monument dedicated to Mrs. Campbell stands with pride in our city centre and Cardiff Council is dedicated to ensuring that the work she championed in delivering inclusive education long continues in our city and beyond.”

The BETTY CAMPBELL MONUMENT LECTURE is taking place in the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on Thursday, October 27th between 12pm and 2pm.

For further information and to reserve a ticket go HERE