Amy Ashwood Garvey must be seen as a key player in the liberation fight of people of Afrikan origin to throw off the yoke of colonialism, imperialism and other forms of oppression and to see themselves as independent people with the right to define their own reality. She made significant contributions to the Garvey Movement in the last century and was the first founding member along with her husband Marcus Garvey. It is my view therefore that anyone who has serious knowledge and awareness of Pan-Afrikanism and the effort needed to commit to fighting for the liberation of Afrikan people cannot but be influenced by the exemplary contribution made by this great woman to furthering that work.
Cecil Gutzmore, contemporary historian has this to say of Amy Ashwood, “The life lived by this very grand female ancestor between 1897-1969 became a model of Pan-Africanist Commitment” Liberty Hall Bulletin: Volume 3, issue 3, Newsletter produced by the Garvey Museum at Liberty Hall in Jamaica.
There is indeed a great deal of controversy surrounding Mrs Garvey’s life with and without Marcus Garvey. This arises chiefly from the fact that she spent a great part of her life challenging Garvey’s divorce from herself, his subsequent marriage to her friend Amy Jacques and some would say cashing in on the Garvey legacy over a number of years.
There was a lot of bitterness involving these three people, which even today in the 21st century creates divisive views within some sections of the Afrikan community. This controversy is fully highlighted in Dr Tony Martin’s book “Amy Ashwood Garvey Pan-Africanist, Feminist and Mrs Marcus Garvey N0.1, 2007.” There were many court cases against Marcus Garvey, which many see as wasting of valuable time which Afrikan people, given their situation in the world as an oppressed and exploited people, can ill afford to spare.
I choose to look at this whole episode in a more human way. The reality is that if we study human beings we will understand that when people are hurt or feel “dissed” as the youth would say, they are apt to create a great deal of dysfunction. Indeed people who feel rejected and disrespected can go so far as to commit crimes of passion, unfortunately, unless people are able to subdue their EGO and see the bigger picture they can create havoc and in the end there are no beneficiaries from the conflict.
I believe that Amy Ashwood despite the issues related, spent much of her time, her resources and her energy developing services for our community. Her work is very significant and she deserves the highest honour from her own people and also from the world at large because she is a great historical figure. She fought for the rights of Afrikan people, she championed women’s rights, and she was a poet, playwright, community development worker, social worker, and political activist. Over her life span she brought Afrikan people together and developed a number of organisations such as the Nigerian Progress Union, the Women’s Resource Centre and Caribbean Student’s Hostel at 1 Bassett Road, in the Ladbroke Grove area of London.
Amy Ashwood worked with many prominent Afrikan scholars, leaders and activists during the last century and she contributed to the fight for independence for Afrikan countries working with people such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Claudia Jones, C. L. R James, George Padmore, Henry Sylvester Williams, (all major contributors to Afrikan peoples history). She chaired the 5th Pan-Afrikan Congress held in Manchester England in 1945, which helped to push forward the fight of Afrikan nations to overthrow colonialism. Mrs Garvey also traced her roots back to the Ashanti people in Ghana and spent many years of her life visiting various Afrikan countries.
There are different views in the community regarding Amy Ashwood and her legacy, however, it is clear that her work is of great value in the history of her people. I would say that critical, analytical thinkers would have no hesitation in promoting, valuing and advancing the work of this great Afrikan Warrior Queen. Mrs Garvey has left a legacy of commitment, dedication, courage and resourcefulness, which should be the envy of any serious freedom fighter female or male. She is an example that I use as a role model and I am indeed in awe, when I read about her contribution and that of the other women who worked in the Garvey Movement.
On the 5th November 2009 a blue plaque was unveiled at 1 Bassett Road, to acknowledge this great Afrikan woman. I had the very great privilege of performing poetry and saying a few words to celebrate Amy Ashwood Garvey.
NB: I use a K for the spelling of Afrika, which reflects the Pan-Afrikan spelling of the continent.
For more information on the Garvey Movement in Jamaica, go to www.garveylibertyhall.com
Women in the Garvey Movement – Nzingha Assata (2008)
Documents the work of women such as Amy Ashwood who contributed to the movement and also features Essays by Amy Jacques Garvey and some of my own work.
The Will to Change, Men, Masculinity and Love – Bell Hooks
Highlights Patriarchy and its negative impact on humanity; Mrs Garvey would have liked this book because she was a woman’s rights activist.
Race First – Dr Tony Martin
Explores Pan-Afrikanism and the work that was developed by the Garvey organisation.
Roots – Alex Hayley
Mrs Garvey through her own great grandmothers stories traced her roots, which is what Alex Hayley has done in this valuable book.
Books can be obtained from these booksellers:
Nzingha Assata (Mitcham) – 07908 203 533
Hylton Estate (Peckham) - 07951 506676
Pepukayi Book Distributor (Tottenham) - 0208 801 0205
Mama Afrika Kulcha Shap (Leyton) – 0208 539 2154
Centerprise, (Darlston) – 0207 254 9632
Maarifa Books (Darlston) – 0207 503 0300
Muatta Books (Hackney) – 07956 134 370
Sista Nzingha Assata is a mother, grandmother, author, poet and community worker
External Links
Nzingha Assata Website
Cecil Gutzmore, contemporary historian has this to say of Amy Ashwood, “The life lived by this very grand female ancestor between 1897-1969 became a model of Pan-Africanist Commitment” Liberty Hall Bulletin: Volume 3, issue 3, Newsletter produced by the Garvey Museum at Liberty Hall in Jamaica.
There is indeed a great deal of controversy surrounding Mrs Garvey’s life with and without Marcus Garvey. This arises chiefly from the fact that she spent a great part of her life challenging Garvey’s divorce from herself, his subsequent marriage to her friend Amy Jacques and some would say cashing in on the Garvey legacy over a number of years.
There was a lot of bitterness involving these three people, which even today in the 21st century creates divisive views within some sections of the Afrikan community. This controversy is fully highlighted in Dr Tony Martin’s book “Amy Ashwood Garvey Pan-Africanist, Feminist and Mrs Marcus Garvey N0.1, 2007.” There were many court cases against Marcus Garvey, which many see as wasting of valuable time which Afrikan people, given their situation in the world as an oppressed and exploited people, can ill afford to spare.
I choose to look at this whole episode in a more human way. The reality is that if we study human beings we will understand that when people are hurt or feel “dissed” as the youth would say, they are apt to create a great deal of dysfunction. Indeed people who feel rejected and disrespected can go so far as to commit crimes of passion, unfortunately, unless people are able to subdue their EGO and see the bigger picture they can create havoc and in the end there are no beneficiaries from the conflict.
I believe that Amy Ashwood despite the issues related, spent much of her time, her resources and her energy developing services for our community. Her work is very significant and she deserves the highest honour from her own people and also from the world at large because she is a great historical figure. She fought for the rights of Afrikan people, she championed women’s rights, and she was a poet, playwright, community development worker, social worker, and political activist. Over her life span she brought Afrikan people together and developed a number of organisations such as the Nigerian Progress Union, the Women’s Resource Centre and Caribbean Student’s Hostel at 1 Bassett Road, in the Ladbroke Grove area of London.
Amy Ashwood worked with many prominent Afrikan scholars, leaders and activists during the last century and she contributed to the fight for independence for Afrikan countries working with people such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Claudia Jones, C. L. R James, George Padmore, Henry Sylvester Williams, (all major contributors to Afrikan peoples history). She chaired the 5th Pan-Afrikan Congress held in Manchester England in 1945, which helped to push forward the fight of Afrikan nations to overthrow colonialism. Mrs Garvey also traced her roots back to the Ashanti people in Ghana and spent many years of her life visiting various Afrikan countries.
There are different views in the community regarding Amy Ashwood and her legacy, however, it is clear that her work is of great value in the history of her people. I would say that critical, analytical thinkers would have no hesitation in promoting, valuing and advancing the work of this great Afrikan Warrior Queen. Mrs Garvey has left a legacy of commitment, dedication, courage and resourcefulness, which should be the envy of any serious freedom fighter female or male. She is an example that I use as a role model and I am indeed in awe, when I read about her contribution and that of the other women who worked in the Garvey Movement.
On the 5th November 2009 a blue plaque was unveiled at 1 Bassett Road, to acknowledge this great Afrikan woman. I had the very great privilege of performing poetry and saying a few words to celebrate Amy Ashwood Garvey.
NB: I use a K for the spelling of Afrika, which reflects the Pan-Afrikan spelling of the continent.
For more information on the Garvey Movement in Jamaica, go to www.garveylibertyhall.com
Amy Ashwood Garvey
Related books
Women in the Garvey Movement – Nzingha Assata (2008)Documents the work of women such as Amy Ashwood who contributed to the movement and also features Essays by Amy Jacques Garvey and some of my own work.
The Will to Change, Men, Masculinity and Love – Bell Hooks
Highlights Patriarchy and its negative impact on humanity; Mrs Garvey would have liked this book because she was a woman’s rights activist.
Race First – Dr Tony Martin
Explores Pan-Afrikanism and the work that was developed by the Garvey organisation.
Roots – Alex Hayley
Mrs Garvey through her own great grandmothers stories traced her roots, which is what Alex Hayley has done in this valuable book.
Books can be obtained from these booksellers:
Nzingha Assata (Mitcham) – 07908 203 533
Hylton Estate (Peckham) - 07951 506676
Pepukayi Book Distributor (Tottenham) - 0208 801 0205
Mama Afrika Kulcha Shap (Leyton) – 0208 539 2154
Centerprise, (Darlston) – 0207 254 9632
Maarifa Books (Darlston) – 0207 503 0300
Muatta Books (Hackney) – 07956 134 370
Sista Nzingha Assata is a mother, grandmother, author, poet and community worker
Nzingha Assata
External Links
Nzingha Assata Website
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Click here to speak out or read (1) comments about this articleAmy Ashwood spent much of her time, her resources and her energy developing services for our community. She fought for the rights of Afrikan people, she championed women’s rights, and she was a poet, playwright, community development worker, social worker
Nzingha Assata
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