Betty Campell, who was born in Butetown in 1934, was raised at Tiger Bay by her mother, who struggled to make ends meet following the death of her father in the Second World War. She was a lifelong reader who received a scholarship for high school, but when she expressed interest in teaching, she was informed, “Oh, my dear, the problems would be insurmountable.” This reaction, according to Betty Campbell, once brought her to tears. This was “the first time I ever cried in school,” she proclaimed. But that only strengthened my resolve—I was going to become a teacher by any means necessary. She was one of Cardiff Teacher Training College’s first six female students and earned a degree.
Born in Castries, Saint Lucia, VERNESTA CYRIL OBE immigrated to the UK in 1962. She just had one burning desire in life: to become a nurse. At the Royal Gwent and St. Woolos Hospitals in Newport, Mrs. Cyril received her nursing and midwifery training first. She spent three years working at the Lydia Beynon Maternity Hospital, which is now a part of the Celtic Manor Resort, before moving back to the Royal Gwent, where she remained for the following thirty years. Mrs. Cyril was elevated to Senior Midwife Manager after putting in a lot of effort. In 1999, Vernesta received an OBE for her work in community relations in South East Wales. She then travelled to Buckingham Palace to accept her award from the Queen. In 2003
FACULTY UZO IWOBI CBE Uzo, who is originally from Nigeria, is a licenced attorney and solicitor. She moved to Wales after obtaining experience as a barrister in Nigeria, where she currently leads Race Council Cymru and actively participates on the boards of several nonprofit organisations. One of her outstanding accomplishments is leading the African Community Centre in Wales, which she started back in 2004. Uzo’s engagement with the Police National Diversity team, where she worked closely with the Home Office to draught national policy on race relations and diversity, is indicative of her commitment to advancing diversity and equality.
ROMA TAYLOR, MRS. Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Roma Taylor all had children. Despite this, Roma is always there to provide a hand, dedicating her life to charitable, religious, and communal activity. She is continuously breaking barriers and improving her community at the age of 79. Roma, who arrived in Cardiff from Antigua in 1959 at the age of 15, stayed at Tiger Bay, Cardiff Docks, with her mother. At this young age, she first came to the notice of the media when she donned a Welsh costume to see Queen Elizabeth II at the Rainbow Club in Tiger Bay. As a member of the Queen Alexandra Nursing Corps, Roma completed nurse training before joining the 203W General Hospital (now 203W Field Hospital) Army barracks at Llandaff North.
She has an enormous heart and is constantly ready to give to those who want a smile, a meal, or a kind word. Roma has also put in a lot of effort to better the lives of others in her community, whether it is through nurseries, foster care, Labour campaigns with Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan, or elsewhere. She is an inspiration to many people since she always puts her best interests first in all she does. Through the Windrush Cymru Elders, which she founded with assistance from Race Council Cymru, Roma continues to donate to the commun
She took on the responsibility of the organisation to provide people who arrived in Wales during the Windrush era of mass immigration in response to the demand to rebuild the UK after World War 2 (and relatives and friends over 50 years old). The organisation makes sure the ‘Elders’ have secure weekly gatherings, which is a lifeline to many as it gives them something to look forward to and prevents them from being at home by themselves “twiddling their thumbs.” The organisation is a success, and everyone enjoys the connections it offers. Roma is a force to be reckoned with, and many are appreciative of her dedication and ‘get it done’ mentality, which have been helpful to her and her community.
