South Africa
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Lilian Ngoyi
Pretoria, South Africa
Archival Overview
Revered as 'Mother of the Black Resistance' who led the historic 1956 Women's March of 20,000 women against apartheid pass laws to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Biographical Record
Lilian Ngoyi worked as a garment machinist and joined the Garment Workers Union before becoming the first woman elected to the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC). A passionate orator, she was elected president of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).
On August 9, 1956, Ngoyi led 20,000 women of all races to the Union Buildings in Pretoria delivering 100,000 petitions against the hated pass laws, chanting: 'Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo!' Targeted with the Treason Trial and sixteen years of continuous banning and solitary confinement, she remained an unbroken pillar of resistance.
Key Life Milestones
1956 Pretoria Women's March
Led 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in the greatest anti-pass demonstration in history.
Defendant in Treason Trial
Stood trial for four years alongside Nelson Mandela, acquitted of high treason in 1961.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialSoweto, South Africa