Remembering Olive Morris and the Black Women’s Movement

Olive Morris was a political activist and community leader. Born in Jamaica, she moved to London in 1962. Committed to social change, Morris played an important role in the Black Women’s Movement. She was one of the founders of the ‘Organisation for Women of Asian and African Descent’ and the ‘Brixton Black Women’s Group’. She was also a member of the ‘Manchester Black Women’s Cooperative’, ‘Black Women’s Mutual Aid Group’, and the ‘Brixton Youth Section’ of the ‘Black British Panther Party’.

Morris’ social activism was both tireless and courageous. In 1969, she intervened when a Nigerian diplomat was arrested for a perceived driving violation. As a result, she was physically beaten and racially assaulted. She was also active in the squatters’ movement. In 1973, she squatted at 121 Railton Road, Brixton, which eventually became an organising centre for community activism. It went on to house the first Black community bookshop, Sabarr.  As a student at the University of Manchester, Morris campaigned for the abolition of fees for overseas students.  She established a supplementary school after campaigning for better educational provision for Black children.

Morris died in 1979 at the age of 27. She left a lasting imprint on women’s activism and the Black Freedom Movement. In 1986, Lambeth Council named a local building in her honour. In 2008, the ‘Remembering Olive Collective’ established a community project to promote her legacy. Morris was voted to feature on the Brixton Pound. 

The Olive Morris Collection can be found in the Lambeth Archives.

by Saima Nasar