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
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
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
Priscilla Agufwana married Johnson Abwao.[11] They had five daughters.[11] She died in 2009, in her eighties.[12]
References
- ^ 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.