Annette Judah Morris
July 29th 1964 – July 7th 2024
Following the recent passing of our friend, colleague, fellow activist and warrior spirit, Annette, Women Friendly Leeds and the Women & Girls Alliance Leeds would like to take a moment to reflect on Annette’s rich, wide, and colourful life, the memories we have of her time with us, and the dedication she poured into women’s rights and activism, particularly relevant to culturally diverse women and their families.
Annette was full of life, it oozed out of every pore. She had passion and soul. Annette started at Leeds Women’s Aid in early 2020, as the women’s hub development worker, just before the pandemic hit. As part of a small team, at a difficult moment at the start of a global pandemic, Annette, with a typical level head, threw herself into the work of leading voice and influence work for a women’s movement, and the timing was relevant. Annette could see right into communities, as she was central to many. She could see how unfurling events were affecting the women and families around her and she knew just how to help and have conversations, and stop people feeling alone or worried. She carried people. She was passionate about women’s rights, specifically around women’s health and also their safety. She had daughters, sisters, nieces and so many friends, all who backed her, trusted her and let her lead. She was a quiet, no fuss leader and commanded a space.
At Women Friendly Leeds, Annette went on to shape the Women’s Hub, the Culturally Diverse Women’s Hub, the Women Friendly Leeds Menopause Meetups, the relaxed Friday Hub, the COVID19 Women’s Survey, the Dear Future You project, Women’s Wellbeing packs, campaigns, events and so much more for women, through the movement-based work. The successful ‘Recipe’s For Life’ book was Annette’s gem of an idea… to put women’s voices and ideas into the pages of a book, side by side, to show a vast array of diverse and inspirational women in Leeds. She wanted to put normal women with extraordinary lives on the map, and recognise them for all they do for their families and communities.
My favourite memories of Annette, were open meetings we would hold online during the pandemic. Sometimes, no one would attend so Annette and I would have an hour to ourselves. Never wasted, we would put the world to rights, plan and scheme, and come up with the ideas we hoped would change Leeds for the better, for women and girls. Annette’s passion rubbed off on me and there was always a new idea being formulated, and loads of belly laughing!
When Annette left for a new job, and her wonderful sister Paulette took over the reins, Annette was still a friend, Ambassador and a close Ally to the movement. She still attended Hub meetings, linked her new work in with the women’s movement and performed countless times at events for Women Friendly Leeds, in particular the International Women’s Day event. She stayed a strong, dedicated friend and ally to us all.
We will miss Annette deeply, and are so grateful for all she did for us. She will always be a part of our movement, and our work, to represent the voices of women and girls in Leeds and help them to lead safer, healthier and more fulfilled lives. In solidarity with Annette, Paulette and her wider family and friends, we will miss your sunshine and your beautiful uplifting singing voice. Thank you for all you shared with us.
