Priscilla Abwao
Priscilla Abwao | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1924 Vihiga County, Kenya |
| Died | 17 November 2009 |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, social worker, activist |
Priscilla Ingasiani Agufwana Abwao (1924 – 17 November 2009) was a Kenyan educator, social worker, and political activist. She represented Kenyan women at the Lancaster House Conference in London in 1962.
Early life and education
[edit]Abwao was from Vihiga County, Kenya, the daughter of Andrew Liko Agufwana and Maria Lavoga. She attended Kaimosi Friends' Primary School, and graduated from Nabumali High School in Uganda.[1] She trained for a career in teaching at the Women's Training Centre in Kabete, and studied domestic science at Radbrook College in England in 1955.[2]
Career
[edit]Abwao taught at her alma mater, the Kaimasi Friends Primary School, from 1949 to 1951. She became a social worker, assigned to Nyanza province. She became a Community Development Officer in 1956.[2][3] She was appointed an official visitor to Kisumu Prison in 1962.[4]
In 1961, Abwao was nominated by Sir Patrick Muir Renison to be the only African woman delegate to the Lancaster House Constitutional Conference.[5] She presented her "Memorandum on Behalf of African Women to the Kenyan Constitution" at the 1962 meeting, but was not allowed to speak at the event.[6] She resigned from the conference council in June 1962.[2] She organized a women's conference in 1962 to plan for women's rights after Kenyan independence, saying "It is not time to sit and gossip. We have to work and build."[7]
In 1961 and 1962, Abwao served in the Legislative Council (LegCo),[8] and visited the United States to speak on Kenya's transition to self-rule, sponsored by the Overseas Educational Fund of the League of Women Voters.[9][10]
Personal life
[edit]Priscilla Agufwana married Johnson Abwao.[11] They had five daughters.[11] She died in 2009, in her eighties.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Smith, R. Drew (2006). Freedom's Distant Shores: American Protestants and Post-colonial Alliances with Africa. Baylor University Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-932792-37-9.
- ^ a b c "Priscilla Ingasiani Abwao". Paukwa. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ Onyango, Emily Awino (2018-10-31). Gender and Development: A History of Women's Education in Kenya. Langham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78368-490-8.
- ^ "The Prisons Ordinance; Appointment of Official Visitor" Kenya Gazette (February 13, 1962): 161.
- ^ Oduo, Bethuel (2022-11-18). "Immortals: Priscila Abwao deserved more than just a flight". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ Mwangi, Waiyego; Opongo, Omondi (2019-06-25). The State and Nation-Building Processes in Kenya since Independence: Remembering the Marginalised and Forgotten Issues and Ac. African Books Collective. p. 141. ISBN 978-9956-550-23-4.
- ^ Mugumbate, Rugare; Zvomuya, Wilson; Abur, William; Rankopo, Morena Jerkarman; Diraditsile, Kabo; Maripe, Kgosietsile; Bohwasi, Phillip Manyanye; Muzondo, Edward (2025-02-14). Ubuntu in Social Services and Development in Africa: A Comprehensive Guide. Zivo Publishing. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-1-0370-0235-9.
- ^ "African wives want more respect". Southern Daily Echo. 1961-10-04. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-07-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nevin, Susan B. (1962-09-21). "Legislator from Kenya Visits Here". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-07-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kenyan Visitor". The Morning News. 1962-10-20. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-07-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Rice, Willa Mae (1962-09-22). "Wife, Mother of Five is Kenya Legislator". New Pittsburgh Courier. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-07-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard). 2010-03-24. p. 39.