IWD in Islington
From facing down police officers to teaching the next generation of gymnasts, Islington women are a force to be reckoned with.
That’s why community group, Islington4Women is releasing a new book, The Bold, Brave, Wonder Women of Islington, to celebrate local women and tell their inspiring stories.
To mark International Women’s Day 2022, Islington4Women and Islington Council hosted a special event to celebrate the nominees for the book so far and discuss their experiences.
Nominations are going to remain open for a few more months to ensure that nobody is missed, and then the book will be brought together with beautiful images to illustrate their stories. Read about the nominees below:
Caroline Russell:
- Caroline Russell is one of two Green Party representatives on the London Assembly and is a councillor for Highbury East.
- She is also the national transport spokesperson for the Green Party, a community activist, and a clean air campaigner.
- According to the nomination Caroline is a tireless campaigner who stands up for what she believes in. She injects creativity into all of her campaigns, and is passionate about creating lasting, sustainable changes that will benefit the future of Islington.
Something you wouldn’t know by looking at me? “About two and a half years ago I was arrested in Trafalgar Square. I was handcuffed by about eight very burly policemen and taken to Charing Cross police station. And this was for protesting, by singing and dancing, about the illegal prorogation of parliament by our prime minister. And if you’re going to get arrested for anything, that is something I’m actually proud to share.”
Sheri Lawal:
- According to the nomination Sheri Lawal is a community hero and works tirelessly to help Islington to become a safer and more equal place.
- Sheri is the founder and director of Choices, an organisation that facilitates access to education, training, and employment for young people, as well as offering support to local residents, helping to resolve benefits issues, and attending tribunals and legal appointments with locals.
- Sheri is also the chair of multiple groups, such as of the Islington Safer Neighbourhood Board, the Islington Stop and Search Community Monitoring Group and the Black Leaders Alliance Community Forum.
Something bold, brave and/or wonderful that you’ve done: “I think it would have to be chairing the stop and search community network. I have a real passion for social justice and holding the police to account is a really good way of doing that. I used to be scared to ask them questions in the beginning and now I’ve been holding them to account, especially the police in Islington. I also run a project called the Auntee project, which is teaching young people about their rights in regards to being stopped and searched, as well as offering mentorship and advice.”
Sarah Benioff:
- Sarah Benioff is the Director of the Cripplegate Foundation and the Director for Islington Giving.
- One of her more recent initiatives was Walk the Line 2020, which encouraged locals to get out and explore the borough of Islington in a socially distanced way, whilst raising money for local businesses.
- According to the nomination Sarah is a local woman with an eye for change. She is not afraid to challenge those in power, and has vast experience in using the system for good.
One thing you would like to do to change the lives of women and girls? “For me, it’s around ensuring that all women and girls have the opportunity to do whatever they want, whatever their hearts desire. And that they have the support that they need to ensure that any barriers, whether that be institutional or otherwise, are removed.”
Ebony Mackenzie:
- Ebony Mackenzie has been working at the Sobell Leisure Centre for almost 14 years and is now the head coach for gymnastics. She runs the trampolining classes and has established a competitive trampolining club that competes regionally and nationally.
- According to the nomination Ebony tirelessly trains her trampolining squad and encourages them to believe in themselves.
Something bold, brave and/or wonderful that you’ve done: “I was with the trampolining team for Sobell, and we were competing regionally in 2018 and there was a woman they wouldn’t let compete because she was wearing a hijab, and this is a British gymnastics rule. We pushed and pushed the rules and then as of 2019, you are now allowed to wear hijabs when you compete. And with trampolining, you can now compete wearing full-length leggings as well.”
Jean Willson O.B.E:
- Jean Willson has worked as a social worker and has led organisations working with and for people with disabilities.
- Jean Willson was appointed an OBE for her services to people with learning disabilities and their family carers. She has also received the ‘Freedom of The Borough’, Islington’s highest award, in recognition of her major and unique contribution to improving the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities.
- In 1968, alongside Jeanette Caruana and Anne Power, Jean was one of the founder members of the Martin Luther King Playgroup and Adventure Playground in Islington.
Something you’re proud of: “My ability to speak up for the people without voices. I had a disabled daughter with learning disabilities, who was a child and a woman without words, and I experienced such social injustice that I felt I had to speak on her behalf. I remember we took on social services, education, and the medical profession, we took on these gigantic organisations and we learned to picket. I was prepared to go to prison for that.”
