Barbara Dettering, a pioneering civil rights campaigner whose efforts have profoundly impacted racial equality in the UK, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Bristol.
Dettering, 85, was recognized for her six decades of advocacy, during which she has been a driving force in dismantling racial discrimination and promoting social justice.
During the ceremony on Aug. 1, Dr. Marie-Annick Gournet, associate professor at UoB, praised Dettering as a “formidable force for change” who has shaped the civil rights landscape in Bristol and beyond.
Dettering’s legacy is particularly tied to her pivotal role in the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, a movement that ultimately led to the UK’s first racial discrimination law.
Arriving in Bristol from British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1961, Dettering quickly became an influential figure in the fight against systemic racism.
She co-founded the Bristol West-Indian Parents and Friends Association, which was instrumental in mobilizing the bus boycott after a young Black man was denied a job interview solely due to his race.
The boycott, which captured national attention, was a catalyst for the 1965 Race Relations Act, which banned workplace discrimination.
Beyond her activism in the 1960s, Dettering co-founded the St Pauls Carnival in 1968, a celebration of Caribbean culture that has since evolved into one of the UK’s largest cultural events, drawing over 100,000 attendees annually.
Reflecting on the carnival’s origins, she recalled:
“[In the UK] there was segregation at the time and we thought we’d do something for ourselves.”
Dettering’s tireless work extended across various social justice issues, including health inequality and housing discrimination. Her contribution to Bristol’s community was further commemorated in 2019 when she was featured as one of the “Seven Saints of St Pauls,” a series of murals honoring Black leaders in British history.
When asked about her motivations, Dettering’s response was characteristically humble:
Her message to young activists today is to remain committed, saying:
“You’ve got to know what you’re doing and just persevere and continue and continue. Reach for the stars.”
The University of Bristol’s recognition of Dettering also honors the enduring significance of her work. Her life and contributions is a reminder that individuals dedicated to justice can effect lasting change.
As Dr. Gournet noted during the ceremony, Dettering’s story is an inspiration; one that pushes us to persist in the fight for equality through unity and perseverance.
