Bronze Woman
Poetry Celebration
8 October 2012
12:00pm -1:10pm
Stockwell Memorial Garden
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Introduction
The Bronze Woman is many things – she is the first public monument of a black woman in
England, a symbol of the contribution of Caribbean, and indeed all, women to society and
proof that people who have the courage to pursue their dreams can inspire others to great
achievements.
Cécile Nobrega wanted to celebrate the role of Caribbean and other women in society –
women as mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and professionals in all their different and vital
roles. Cécile wanted to raise awareness and remind us of the importance of diversity and
of valuing the contribution of all communities to British society.
This monument looks back through history to celebrate past lives and forward to the
generations to come, prompting them to take pride in their communities and strive to make
contributions of their own. This is what public art can achieve, this is why the many years
of struggle to erect this evocative monument were worthwhile, and why Cécile’s personal
journey will be remembered.
“"It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to contribute and support the Bronze Woman event.
The beautiful Bronze woman statue, the poem and all the untold stories behind this historic event, to
me it is a distinctive part of the history of Stockwell and its people. It is a legacy that should be
carried on by all of us, regardless of where we are from.
This event pays a tribute to all women past or present who have suffered, struggled and survived for
a better life in which their future generation can shine.
Moreover, it was such an honour to have met Mother Cecile a graceful and talented lady, who
indeed has left a mark, with her extraordinary poem and she will always be remembered."
Nasra Ado, 2011
The Bronze Woman Project
Inspired by Cécile’s poem, the Bronze Woman Committee set out to create a lasting
reminder, a monument that would reflect the main idea of her poem Bronze Woman. The
building of the monument was part of a project that will fulfil the aims and objectives:
• Promotion of the Caribbean community’s contribution to society
• Strengthening the role of women
• Establishing a sense of pride amongst the Caribbean community
• Representing diversity in the art world
• Creation of a legacy programme of education and engagement
• Transmitting a positive message to young people of Caribbean descent about their
heritage.
Olmec
A brief history and achievement
Olmec is a social enterprise committed to race equality through economic and social
justice. It runs a series of programmes across London supporting social enterprise,
employment, community leadership and development, equalities diversity, and
human rights training, community research and community arts.
Communities living in inner city social housing estates are challenged with higher levels of
social exclusion from poverty, unemployment, crime and exposure to illegal drugs. Olmec
set up the following programmes that aimed to empower and transform people’s lives:
• Solid Foundations: a comprehensive employment and training service.
• Inspire Change: a portfolio of business advice and support for minority led social
enterprises including First Steps, Step Ahead and Co-operative Diversity Action
• Black on Board: a training programme that empowers people onto governing boards in
the housing, health, education and charitable sectors.
• I.comm: delivers community development activities on social housing estates.
• Midnimo: training and consultancy in equality, diversity and human rights.
• Eye and I: community research.
About the sculptors Ian Walters and Aleix Barbat
The renowned sculptor, Ian
Walters was approached to
design the Bronze Woman in
2001. His work includes the
statue of Nelson Mandela in
Parliament Square.
Inspired by Cécile’s poem, Ian
produced a maquette
illustrating a figure representing a woman holding aloft a
child.
Sadly, Ian passed away in
2006 before he could start the
monument.
In October 2007, Aleix Barbat
was chosen to take the
project forward. Aleix is the
2007 winner of the Tiranti
Prize for Young Sculptors
and was in his last year of his
Figurative Sculpture diploma
at the Heatherley School of
Fine Art. Aleix, influenced by
Ian’s design, wanted to create
a strong image of a mother
lifting her child high above her
head and looking into each
other’s eyes representing her
strength, hope and pride.
Ian Walters
Aleix Barbat
Bronze Woman
by Cécile Nobrega
Find me a place
in the sun
in the sea
on a rock
near an Isle
in the Caribbee:
There I will set her,
Honoured, Free!
Free
to be kissed and petted by the wind;
Free
to be washed with the brine of sweet
and bitter memoirs
Sin:
Free
to be stubborn and steadfast as night,
Dark is her Destiny
Wrong her right.
The Bronze Woman
monument is based
on a poem written by
Cécile Nobrega, the
President and Founder
of the Bronze Woman
Monument Project which
was established on 1st
December 1995. Cécile,
now 91, was born in
Guyana and came to
London in 1968.
Her poem was written
to honour all women,
especially those of
Caribbean descent.
Woman of Bronze!
Symbol of Slavery
Free
Strength
sweat and toil,
who can foil
your quest
for best
to give your child?
One night a woman
says the Book,
went to Him late,
late in the gloomy darkness
of the night;
Went to Him, the Light,
for places for her sons
the left, the right
to sit beside Him.
Chide her not!
Mother instinct is the same
today
as then
for evermore
however mild,
she seeks the betterment
of her child.
Bronze Woman!
You were no different
When you laid with massa boss,
Free
or
forced
you knew there was no loss
of favours
food:
Food for the black and hungry
brood,
Mulato-Eurasian child money
subsidised economy,
guaranteed
a step away
from want and need:
a step away
from toil and sweat
the heat of day:
Pray
Feel no hurt
with those who talk
of illegitimacy
and illiteracy,
Social stigmas - Language Craft;
Feel proud
that you have done your part:
Stained your skirt
with water-mark
waist deep
paddy beds
cane fields
to keep
stinted stomachs
hungry mouth
salt and rice
such sacrifice
as those passed on many know of
Death!
Consumptive death
Malarial death,
visited troolie huts
clean earthen floor
the same as
Overseer, Manager
before
promotion
to driver
extortion
child labour.
All this you bore,
Feel hurt no more.
Feel Joy
with those who served the mine,
today your sons and daughters shine
like the bright gold
you bartered for,
in great professions,
Music, Medicine, Law.
White Man’s purse
has no curse
his seed
no need:
but Men
poor Men
they run away
after the night
the day
is done they’re
gone through
need disown their
seed
then you are left alone
Bronze Woman
father-mother
Caribbean Woman
To play a dual role.
Stalwart woman-man
With the sun in your bones
and the bloods in your veins;
strength in your heart
and love in your limbs,
Your buxom breasts
hang down
like juicy brown mangoes
in the mouth of your child,
Your eyes are determined
Yet gentle and mild,
Who can help but set you
Bronze Woman
above!
Who can help but cherish
This monument of Love......
Then find me a place
in the sun
in the sea
on a rock
Near an Isle
In the Caribbee:
There I will set her
Bronze Woman
Free
Honoured for shaping
Our Destiny.
Unveiling Ceremony
The Bronze Woman Monument was revealed on 8 October 2008
at Stockwell Memorial Garden.
“This monument is incredibly symbolic, as it celebrates the many splendid
achievements and contributions that women from the Caribbean and the African
Diaspora have made towards the life and cultural heritage of this country.
I believe it is important not only for the black community, but for all the people of the
United Kingdom to acknowledge the past and the values we share; and to
acknowledge how much we owe each other.
The Caribbean - its past, present and future - is a subject very close to my own heart
and I was delighted to be part of this
tremendous celebration”.
Baroness Scotland QC
The Attorney General
October 2008
Supporters
Bronze woman 2012
Bronze Woman 2012 has been coordinated by Olmec and is being developed and
supported by Lambeth Libraries, Lillian Baylis Technology School and the Runnymede
Trust.
Olmec would like to offer our thanks to all the supporters of this project, past and present
for their participation in this significant celebration and for their valued help in raising
awareness of this important celebration.
This monument was unveiled thanks to funding and support from the following
organisations:
The Bronze Woman Committee
Presentation Housing Association
Transport for London
European Regional Development Fund
Stockwell Partnership
Capital Community Foundation
The Linbury Trust
And has been supported by
Hyde Housing Association
Lambeth Libraries
Lillian Baylis Technology School
Runnymede Trust