The life of Glenys Thomas, a woman whose decades of dedication to social work, teaching and challenging injustice left a profound mark on communities from North Africa to the Midlands, has been celebrated following her death at the age of 87.
Early Years and Education
Born on a farm in Hampden in the Cotswolds, Glenys was the daughter of Alice and Gordon. Her parents were resolute in ensuring their three daughters had every opportunity. At Westwood’s Grammar School in Northleach, she stood out as the sole girl studying science, initially with ambitions for medicine. However, she found her true calling lay more with people than anatomy, leading her to pursue psychology at Reading University.
Her time at university hinted at the spirited character to come. In a memorable act of protest, she once entered a campus beauty pageant disguised as an elderly woman pushing a pram, a stunt that effectively brought an end to such contests at the institution.
A Global Commitment to Aid
After graduating in 1959, Glenys immediately immersed herself in humanitarian work. During World Refugee Year, she joined the United Nations Association, serving in displaced persons camps in Austria. She worked with the UNHCR and took on the role of "Head Sister" in a Quaker-run camp, organising volunteers and helping refugees rebuild a sense of community.
Her commitment took her further afield. In a remarkable endeavour, she helped deliver knitted blankets from Austrian refugees to families in newly independent Algeria, driving a donated truck through France, Spain and Morocco. She then remained in Algeria for four years, helping to build schools and working in medical clinics.
Building a Legacy in Birmingham
Returning to Britain, she completed a postgraduate diploma in youth work at Manchester University. It was there she met Les Essex, sharing his passion for social justice. They married in 1968 and taught in East Africa until 1972 before settling in Birmingham, where they raised two children.
For over fifty years, Birmingham was her home and the focus of her professional energy. During the 1970s and 80s, she taught and trained social workers at Selly Oak College, specialising in the critical areas of racism awareness and women’s studies. She also served as a trustee for Martineau Gardens, the therapeutic community charity in Edgbaston.
Her activism continued throughout her life, encompassing support for the Greenham Common protests and advocacy for young people with ME. In later years, she cared for her husband Les after Parkinson’s disease led to his early retirement from Birmingham University, where he lectured in social policy. He died in 2011.
Glenys Thomas is remembered for her compassion, sharp wit and fierce independence. She is survived by her two children.
