| Biography of an Outstanding Woman |
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| Written by Esme Lancaster | |||||
| Wednesday, 01 November 2000 | |||||
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Esme Lancaster In August of this year, Esme Lancaster was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the community and for her pivotal role in the Young Mother's Relief Association set up in 1985. Her involvement in improving the welfare of young black women can be seen as an extension of her overall passion for education. Esme, who is 83 years old, was born in 1917 in Wilmington, Jamaica. As a child she excelled in her studies, but was hindered by personal circumstances. Without parents to pay for college, she was forced to take on the job of domestic servant in order to fund herself. However, in what is still a mystery to Esme, she was sent by an anonymous benefactor to train as a teacher whilst working at a sugar estate. She taught for many years until 1950 when she decided to come to the UK for a short duration and made her way to Birmingham to stay with relatives. She had made arrangements to teach at a local school but on the morning of her very first day at the school she received a letter informing her not to turn up. Other members of staff had refused to teach alongside a black person. This proved to be a turning point for Esme, who arrived at the school regardless. When asked about the letter she announced, 'I am a colonial citizen. I came to see this country but not for too long. Having seen your system I am not going to leave your country until I am in great demand!' Esme says, 'the main difficulty in adjusting to living in England was the rejection of the society'. This inescapable barrier led to Esme training in social services and moving from childcare to probation work. She says, 'I knew what it was to be without parents', and this seemed to be her vocation. Although officially retired from 1977, the last 20 years or so have seen Esme at her most vocal and determined for change. She spoke out at a Labour Party Conference about her community work and has been successful in assisting many young mothers to return to education. Our Risky Adventure by Esme Lancaster We came to the Land of Money, So the saying goes, From the land of poverty, That was what we had supposed; But soon our hearts with sorrow were filled, As we wondered along each day; Trying to find somewhere to live, And to make our new abode. Many doors were closed in our faces, Many looked on us with scorn; Many refused to answer, When we asked to be let a room. The houses that gave us shelter, Had no real kind of life, The things that we never shared at home, We had to share them then. The beds were on shifts as the workers were, The kitchen, the dining halls, Many landlords were not very courteous, The landladies just as bad; There was nowhere for relaxation except for the dining halls. We gathered round the coal-fires, In the Winter-time. Originally published in the Millennibrum Supplement, "Black History in Birmingham", The Birmingham Post, November 1 2000.
Icilda Buckley
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| Isn't it wonderful how women can and do achieve so much. Forget being the weaker sex!!!!!! |
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