The Catwalk MVMT

This week we learn about Olive Morris. Olive Morris was a Jamaican-born British-based community leader and activist in the feminist, Black nationalist, and squatters' rights campaigns of the 1970s. Olive Morris led protests and demonstrations, and helped to found the Brixton Black Women's Group in 1973, one of Britain's first networks for black women.

Olive Morris reminds us not only of our power but the importance of tending to our health. Dying sadly at the young age of 27 from Cancer, her existence strikes a number of chords. You are never too young, too small, too black, too anything to make a difference but please ladies walk in your greatness and your wellness.

This week we delve into the life and work of Mary Prince who saw no threat in asking for what she wanted despite the life she had endured.

'Mary Prince was born into enslavement in Bermuda around 1788, and sold away from her family at the age of ten.

In 1828, she was brought from Antigua to England by her then owners, Mr and Mrs John Wood. Slavery was still legal in the West Indies, but no longer in Britain itself, so once in London, Prince left the Woods and went to the Anti-Slavery Society.

In 1829, she unsuccessfully petitioned parliament for her freedom, so she could return to her husband in Antigua without finding herself once again enslaved. She told her life story to abolitionist sympathisers, and it was published in 1831 as 'The History of Mary Prince' - attracting a large readership just as the anti-slavery movement was mounting a powerful and ultimately successful campaign for the emancipation of all Africans enslaved by the British'.

As always the detail of Mary Prince's life as documented has uncovered a number of revelations and questions. Tune into our School in Motion Podcast to listen and learn as you walk.

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It's a new month and so a new theme rises. In acknowledgement of Black History Month and Mental Health Awareness Week, we open October's CatWalk with a discussion on how we practice resilience as the seasons change. We also explore our very contrasting experiences on how wellbeing was incorporated into our lifestyles and routines, reflecting on childhood to present day. 

Join us on The CatWalk MVMT, stay moving, be present and keep well.

You can find out more and keep up to date with The CatWalk MVMT using our social media @thecatwalkmvmt or email us on [email protected]

In our final week of our [in]Visible Women series. It’s been such an insightful month and we have had so much fun learning about the four women who we chose to amplify, and we hope you have too.

This week we are hailing up and paying our due to Lilian Bader, most commonly known as the first Black woman to be signed up to the army but as always we have found that there is so much more to her story. Born in Liverpool to a family who had a long history, Lilian Bader took the A, B and C route fulfilling a number of roles as stepping stones until she eventually graduated as a First Class Airwoman after many other notable achievements.

As we end September, ahead lies Black History Month. After this summers Black Lives Matter Movement taking up all spaces after the tragic murder of George Floyd, many organisations will be especially mindful of 'making a stand'. We make a point of this phrase because this summer we saw the tearing down of a stale, pale, male statue glorifying histories that left deep scars on our rich culture, but we wanted to focus on a particular statue that we are proud of. Dame Professor Elizabeth Anionwu is responsible for the first statue in Britain representing a Black Woman; nurse Mary Seacole.

Born Bi-Racial and raised in an Irish community, we can learn how Dame Professor Elizabeth Anionwu has amplified the needs and recognition of the black community for her entire career.

As we enter September, we leave the summer months behind and ordinarily we would close the season with Europe’s biggest ‘street party’- The Notting Hill Carnival. The global pandemic has meant that for the first time in its entire history, Carnival did not take place this year. Whilst many enjoyed the online option and other Bank Holiday festivities, many took some time to reflect on the origins of Carnival. We dedicate this week’s episode to Claudia Jones the founder of Notting Hill Carnival. We reflect on what it means to bring a vision to life and the joy of having the freedom to bask in your culture without being policed.

Welcome to our very first episode, we are so glad that that you have made the decision to go on this journey with us.

This month’s theme is about seeing the women who may have become invisible despite their important work and through September’s podcast we will say their names and amplify their voices.

In this first podcast episode we are discussing Sharon Atkin, former Labour Party Black Sections member. In the early 1980’s Sharon Atkin worked shoulder to shoulder with Diane Abbott but their political careers took very separate paths. On speaking Sharon Atkin’s name, we explore the ‘implications’ of being your authentic self, failed sisterhood and being silenced.

Please remember to like, comment, follow and subscribe to our content on our social media @thecatwalkmvmt. 

You can also email us on [email protected]

By joining The CatWalk MVMT, you are taking a steps to stand in your power- actively engaging in paying attention to your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and political being.

We introduce you to what The CatWalk MVMT is, why we have called it The CatWalk MVMT, what The CatWalk MVMT represents and what to expect from The CatWalk MVMT team.

Thank you for joining, we are really looking forward to this journey.

Please remember to like, comment, follow and subscribe to our content on our social media @thecatwalkmvmt. You can also email us on [email protected]