Elouise Edwards Collection

The collection consists of reports, leaflets, letters, newspaper cuttings, photographs and interviews. Special items include issues of locally produced newspaper Moss Side News, reports and interviews around the uprisings in Moss Side in 1981 and a Moss Side and Hulme photographic collection. Much of the material relates to the many projects that Elouise was involved with during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. This includes her work at the Family Advice Centre in Moss Side and her role as community activist.

See our online catalogue for further details

This collection consists of the papers of Elouise Edwards. Elouise was born in 1932 in Guyana, South America. She travelled to England in 1961 to join her husband Beresford Edwards. They settled in Manchester and soon became active in the struggle against inequality and racism that existed at that time. They challenged racist attitudes and campaigned for the needs of people from overseas. This developed into a lifelong fight for equality. Elouise Edwards was instrumental in celebrating Black culture, battling racism and developing vital community resources in Moss Side. She was awarded an MBE for her amazing contribution. Elouise also has an African Chieftaincy. She was nominated for her work with African people in Manchester and the honour was bestowed by the Nigerian organisation at the British Council.

The collection is organised into the following series:

• Photographs - Roots and miscellaneous
• Roots ephemera
• Policing, education and uprisings
• Abasindi, Nia and other organisations
• Family Advice Centre
• Hulme and Moss Side Photographic Collection

24 hours notice is required to view this collection. Material will then be accessible through Manchester Central Library Search Room, Manchester Central Library, St Peters Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. To access this collection please: Contact the archive

Roots Oral History Project, located in the Local Studies of the Race Relations Library (MAN/HI.3/NOB) and Shattered Illusions (MAN.HI.3/LAW) an autobiographical account written by an interviewee in the Roots Oral History Project.