Sybil Phoenix
Encyclopedia
Sybil Phoenix is a British community worker. She is the first black woman to receive an MBE
.
She was born in British Guiana
, and grew up in Georgetown
. She and her fiance Joe Phoenix moved to England in 1956, and married in June of that year.
Sybil Phoenix started fostering for Lewisham
in 1961. She made her own hostel for girls and became a community worker. She has been involved in Black History Month
and was given an MBE in 1973. In 1987, Princess Margaret asked her to be Minister without Portfolio for Guyana.
In 1996, Phoenix was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Lewisham
, and in 1998 was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
She received an OBE in 2008.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
.
She was born in British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
, and grew up in Georgetown
Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
. She and her fiance Joe Phoenix moved to England in 1956, and married in June of that year.
Sybil Phoenix started fostering for Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
in 1961. She made her own hostel for girls and became a community worker. She has been involved in Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
and was given an MBE in 1973. In 1987, Princess Margaret asked her to be Minister without Portfolio for Guyana.
In 1996, Phoenix was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Lewisham
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
, and in 1998 was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
She received an OBE in 2008.