19 January 1940 - Maria Mary Burton, former national president of the Black Sash, is born | sahistory.org.za/dated-event/maria-mary-burton-former-national-president-black-sash-born Maria Burton was born on 19 January 1940 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She moved to South Africa in 1961, and upon witnessing the injustices of Apartheid, became a member of the Black Sash in 1965. Founded ten years prior to Burtons membership, the Black Sash was a womens anti-Apartheid movement that initially sought to protest against the Separate Representation of Voters Bill. It soon grew into a momentous organization, with its members opposing discriminatory policies through marches, demonstrations and vigils. These were characterized by the wearing of black sashes and by silently standing outside public buildings in major cities. Among the leaders of the Black Sash were Jean Sinclair and her daughter Sheena Duncan, as well as Maria Burton, who acted as its national president from 1985 - 1990. The Black Sash is still in existence and still aims to fight against discrimination and human rights abuses in South Africa. One of its functions is to provide free legal advice and paralegal support. References: Black Sash - Our History [online] Available at: blacksash.org.za [Accessed 12 January 2010] Gastrow, S. (1995). Whos Who in South African Politics. Johannesburg:Ravan Press South Africa - Overcoming Apartheid [online] Available at: overcomingapartheid.msu.edu [Accessed 12 January 2010]
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 07:23:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015