DAME SYBIL PHOENIX

Dame Sybil is a tireless worker on behalf of the many in our society without the power to be heard. How she finds the time, energy, strength and enthusiasm to give so much to the community is beyond most people’s comprehension. It has been said of her: “Sybil has a tremendous capacity for loving in the face of hatred, rejection and discrimination”.

Sybil founded a youth centre for black and white youngsters that was burned down by members of the National Front in 1977. "My name is Phoenix", is what she said " and I will build a new centre from the ashes of this club, so help me God."

The Prince of Wales attended the grand opening of the new centre in March 1981

Society values her work tremendously even though she still is a critical authority and fights against any kind of discrimination.

Her native country Guyana honoured her with an award for her service to the people of her country both within and without Guyana. In 1973 she was made a Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

That same year, Sybil suffered a personal tragedy when her daughter Marsha was killed in a road accident. In 1980 Dame Sybil and her husband founded the Marsha Phoenix Home for young women in Lewisham. She also founded MELRAW, an organisation which offers Racism Awareness Training programs.

Her work serves as a model in many respects.  Her unquestioning care for people and her campaign against any kind of discrimination have affected most people profoundly. Sybil teaches us that a battle against unjust structures must not necessarily involve bitterness but can rather be driven by the belief that it is possible to change conditions and people living under these conditions for the better.