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Trailblazing Woman Championed the Less Fortunate
5 Apr
Summary
- She was the first woman to chair the University of Bristol council.
- She founded The Community Self Build Agency for housing.
- She served as a North Somerset councillor for 25 years.
Dr. Stella Clarke CBE, a pioneering figure known for her dedication to improving the lives of those less fortunate, has passed away at the age of 94. She leaves behind a legacy of impactful work across various sectors.
Clarke made history as the first woman to chair the University of Bristol's council. Her tenure there, from 1982 to 1997, provided invaluable leadership. She also served as a BBC governor and dedicated 25 years as a councillor in North Somerset, where she resided for most of her life.
Her commitment to community welfare was evident in her founding of The Community Self Build Agency (CSBA) in 1989. A notable project, Zenzele, successfully trained unemployed individuals to build their own homes, a model later replicated. Earlier, in 1967, she established the Brighton Street Project, a vital women's refuge in Bristol.
Remembered fondly as 'Tess' by friends and family, Clarke was instrumental in opening doors for women in decision-making roles. Her son described her as a facilitator who brought expertise and resources to empower communities and a trusted figure for her five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
