Power in Solidarity
Editors Letter - November 2024
“As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the inspiring stories of resilience, unity, and impact. From the success of The Baton Awards during the 16 Days of Activism to the incredible achievements of trailblazers like Dawn Ferdinand and Rita Joseph-Olivetti, this month’s Editor’s Letter celebrates the unshakable strength of women.
With heartfelt stories of activism, education, literature, and leadership, we explore how solidarity drives change and why standing together is more important than ever. Let’s close the year with purpose and embrace the spirit of #NationalGivingMonth by empowering others and fostering community.
Read now and join the movement for change!”
BWSMEditor - in - Chief
Well, November gave me a spring in my step.
The combination of the 16 Days of Activism and its potential to raise awareness for domestic abuse is always an important one for me. More so because I designed my annual awards ceremony The Baton Awards to take place during those 16 days.
This year’s event was a humdinger as women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and our male allies, turned out in their droves, making the awards theme of ‘Power In Solidarity’ event more appropriate.
I wasn’t the only one taking action this 16 Days of activism as PLIAS Resettlement hosted its inaugural Domestic Homicide Review (DHR), Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA), and Criminal Justice Summit in London, and Black Wall St Media were honoured to report on it.
Domestic abuse disproportionately affects Black women and so this summit was greatly needed. Presently in London, black women are four times more likely to be victims of Afrofemicide which gives me shivers every time I hear it.
As black women, we need support, encouragement, inspiration and solidarity more than ever. When my mum Caroline died, I pledged to do my best to honour her legacy of empowering women, by paying it forward. She taught me the true meaning and value of power in solidarity. That’s why I loved reading about Dawn Ferdinand, the esteemed headteacher at The Willow Primary School on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, Haringey, has been honoured with the prestigious Silver Award for ‘Headteacher of the Year’ in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
This accolade celebrates her exceptional dedication and impact on the lives of her students and the broader school community. Students expressed their gratitude through kind words and heartfelt messages, showcasing the profound impact that dedicated educators like Dawn Ferdinand have on their lives, and showing us that solidarity can be intergenerational.
A testimony to the awesome power of women was an article on Rita Joseph-Olivetti’s remarkable transition from a distinguished career as a High Court Judge to the captivating world of Caribbean literature. Her odyssey really represented that bumpy climb to new heights and also not being afraid to chase your dreams or change direction later in life as a black woman.
Black Wall St Media covered a powerful interview hosted by Voices of Windrush where Diane Abbott MP joined Marcia Mascoll to share her journey as the UK’s first Black female MP. With insights from Jacqui McKenzie and Frances Swaine, Abbott reflected on her upbringing, achievements, and the challenges of breaking barriers in British politics.
Tellingly, Abbott called for greater solidarity and collective action, emphasising that systemic change requires persistence, courage, and community support, reminding us of the importance of power in solidarity. ‘Solidarity’ is more than a buzzword.
Solidarity is a powerful action, when we fuse our talents and skill sets together as a tribe of women, it’s incredibly powerful. It’s essential that we stand together, support each other, inspire each other, boost, elevate and bolster each other, if we want to see real change in our lifetime.
We also covered The Met Police Black History Month Planning Committee which recently hosted a powerful event titled Black Personnel in Public Service at the U.S. Embassy in London. Hosted by Acting Police Sergeant Nnaemeka Onyema and Tracy Washington, the event highlighted the invaluable roles that Black professionals play in the public sector—including Lord Michael Hastings, Festus Akinbusoye (Former Police & Crime Commissioner), and Jacqueline McKenzie (Lawyer and Partner at Leigh Day Solicitors).
Sadly, I’m not writing about America’s first female president in this editor’s letter. Not because I agree with her politics, but symbolically what she represents, as a woman from an ethnically diverse background who, like many of us, had to smash through the glass ceiling just to make the running.
That’s what true solidarity is, we all have different journeys, ideas, perspectives and methods but we are united as a global tribe of women and as a diaspora in general. December is known as National Giving Month, a time when people can give back to their communities and make a difference in society.
It’s a month when people can celebrate those who work to address the needs of their communities and to help others in need. I hope as this year draws to a close that we can achieve that, whether it’s at work or just helping a lonely neighbour this Christmas, let’s remember the power of solidarity.
