Article Empowering Women of Colour: The Legacy of the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD)
Article Empowering Women of Colour: The Legacy of the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD)
Oct 16 2025, 10:08 PM
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/civil-rights-movement/empowering-women-of-colour-the-legacy-of-the-organisation-of-women-of-african-and-asian-descent-owaad/
Quote:The Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD) was a pioneering feminist group that emerged in the UK in the late 1970s. Founded by a group of black and Asian women who felt that their experiences were not adequately represented in the mainstream feminist movement, OWAAD sought to empower women of colour and challenge the intersecting systems of oppression they faced due to their race, gender, and class. The group placed a strong emphasis on activism, community organising, and political education, and was involved in a number of campaigns and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women of colour in the UK.
[...]
One of the key issues OWAAD addressed was the intersection of race and gender. The group argued that racism and sexism were intertwined and that women of colour faced a “double burden” of oppression that was not adequately recognised by the mainstream feminist movement. OWAAD produced a number of influential publications, including the book “Heart of the Race: Black Women’s Lives in Britain” (1985), which documented the experiences of black women in the UK. The group was also involved in the publication of the journal “Sisterhood” and the anthology “Charting the Journey: Writings by Black and Third World Women” (1988).
Found via the thread about Olive Morris.
Edited Oct 16 2025, 10:09 PM by Clover.
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Black History Month Magazine, March 30 2023
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/civil-rights-movement/empowering-women-of-colour-the-legacy-of-the-organisation-of-women-of-african-and-asian-descent-owaad/
Quote:The Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD) was a pioneering feminist group that emerged in the UK in the late 1970s. Founded by a group of black and Asian women who felt that their experiences were not adequately represented in the mainstream feminist movement, OWAAD sought to empower women of colour and challenge the intersecting systems of oppression they faced due to their race, gender, and class. The group placed a strong emphasis on activism, community organising, and political education, and was involved in a number of campaigns and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women of colour in the UK.
[...]
One of the key issues OWAAD addressed was the intersection of race and gender. The group argued that racism and sexism were intertwined and that women of colour faced a “double burden” of oppression that was not adequately recognised by the mainstream feminist movement. OWAAD produced a number of influential publications, including the book “Heart of the Race: Black Women’s Lives in Britain” (1985), which documented the experiences of black women in the UK. The group was also involved in the publication of the journal “Sisterhood” and the anthology “Charting the Journey: Writings by Black and Third World Women” (1988).
Found via the thread about Olive Morris.
Kozlik's regular member account. 🍀🐐