The idea for Black Northern Women came about when we (the three co-founders Carol, Jacqueline and Maxine) were on holiday in October 2018 and had a discussion about the lack of empowering events in Sheffield for Black women.
We decided to put on an International Women’s Day conference in 2019 and had an amazing response to our request for speakers and with the amount of women who attended.
We gained a lot of media attention and were featured on BBC Radio Sheffield, and in The Star and the Sheffield Telegraph. We got sponsporship from Tesco.
With speakers and women attending from Sheffield, Derby, Manchester, Newcastle, Bradford, Chesterfield, Nottingham, London and more, it was a well attended, informative and inspirational event that left everyone encouraged and empowered.
Feedback was amazing and the women attended wanted more and Black Northern Women was born. Initially called Northern Women of Colour, we changed the name to Black Northern Women because of the negative connotations associated with people of colour and women of colour.
We consulted with our members as to what name they preferred and Black Northern Women was the the most favourable choice.
Whilst our focus is women who identify as Black and with the struggle Black people have faced over the centuries, we still stand alongside our non Black ethnic minority sisters in the quest to eradicate racism, and value their input and presence with us.
We also value our allies who use their White privilege to further the cause and bring about change.
Meet the Co Founders
Carol Stewart
As a black woman born in Sheffield and living in London, I was aware that most of the high profile events and activities for women of colour were London centric. As someone who coaches women to achieve their full potential, i wanted to see the profile of women of colour in the North of England elevated.
I believe that if ALL women have the self belief to be their authentic selves, achieve their full potential, and be given access to opportunities (as well as creating their own), they will become spheres of influence in their respective fields, communities (and society in general) to bring about social justice for all.
I see Northern Women of Colour providing a platform for women of colour in the North of England that will help to achieve this.
Jacqueline Clarke
As a single black female I wanted to be part of a women’s group that are like minded and want to make a difference amongst women of colour.
There are so many successful women of colour who are doing great things, isolated without support from women with the same vision, which is to succeed.
NWOC gives a platform, an opportunity for women of colour to come together as ONE in a positive empowering environment, where we can celebrate our achievements and share our skills and experiences.We encourage women to purse their career path and seek out dreams by networking and workshops.
Being one of the Co founders it gives me the pleasure and an opportunity to meet positive educated women who have defied the stereotypes of women of colour or what society expects us to be. NWOC gives women of colour who have become successful and who are contributing to today’s society to meet, share and celebrate success.
Maxine Lewis
I see Northern Women of Colour being a fantastic opportunity for women of colour in the North to come together to celebrate their achievements and share with others ways of reaching their full potential in a society where women of colour constantly have to struggle with inequality.