Posted 1 week ago
Mon 03 Feb, 2025 08:02 AM
Born in 1933, Dorothy Kuya was a lifelong campaigner, active in Communist circles from the age of 13, becoming the first Community Relations Officer for the Liverpool Community Relations Council, fighting against South African Apartheid and becoming a member of the Granby Residents Association, who had to fight the council to save their area from demolition.
In her later life, she worked with the National Museums Liverpool and helped to open the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery in 1994. Thanks to her openness and support of local campaigns, her archives are now available to look at online and at the Slavery Museum and Writing on the Wall showcase her important work on a daily basis.
As you may well know, Dorothy Kuya also has a presence here at the University of Liverpool. Students expressed concern and discomfort at Greenbank Halls of Residence being named after William Gladstone – a former Prime Minister and statesman who lobbied for Home Rule for Ireland and had historic familial involvement in the slave trade. The campaign to have this name changed spanned three academic years, consisting of multiple actions ranging from Change It petitions as well as writing open letters and meeting with senior University leaders. Adnan, the Guild’s previous President, utilised student voice as well as the wider social pressure resulting from the BLM movement and other decolonisation efforts from other universities and cities.
In the end, following a cross-campus ballot for new names, the halls were renamed in celebration of Dorothy Kuya.
Due to the importance of this figure in both Liverpool and the Universities’ recent history, Liverpool Guild’s student officers are coming to Greenbank's Paint & Chill event on 12th February. In honour of her life and to celebrate her legacy, you can paint and design tote bags, t-shirts, mugs and more 6-8pm in Greenbank's Lounge. Expect hot chocolates and snacks to fuel your masterpiece! You can find out more about Dorothy Kuya on 12th February and take part in a small discussion on Dorothy Kuya’s impact in Liverpool and wider student campaigning for change. If you want to learn more about her, why not come along?
Click here to find out more about Greenbank's Paint & Chill event!