Monira Ahmed Chowdhury
Case Study
How would you like to be described?
First Bristolian born to parents of British Bangladeshi ethnicity, a woman who is proud to be a British Bangladeshi Muslim Bristolian.
How would you describe what you do?
I work in the community to bring about equality for all, otherwise known as a community worker or activist
What is your greatest achievement?
Giving evidence to national Stephen Lawrence (Macpherson) Inquiry and being chosen by the national Guardian newspaper as “A Rising Star”
What was the cause or ’trigger for this journey of making the world a better place through being useful and kind? And how old were you? When did you realise you could make a difference?
Started in my mid to late teens when I got involved in challenging racial inequality by direct community work through joining and supporting numerous community and anti-racist groups and campaigns both locally and nationally especially to achieve social justice
Was it something your parents are/would have been proud of and encouraged?
Yes, my parents especially my father actively encouraged me, he was also involved in community work and to start with took me with him to meetings
Who or what were your early influences?
My parents and my family especially my brothers and sisters were my earliest influences; also very influenced by the Bangladesh War of Independence when I was young and by my cultural background; I particularly enjoyed wearing “traditional clothes” for special occasions such as religious and national festivals as well as weddings and celebrations.
What were you doing at 16?
Going to school, just finished my GSCE exams and enjoying my passion of reading as well planning to study law and becoming a lawyer who fought for social justice and equality.
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
Believe in yourself more, don’t let others like teachers undermine your ability or ambitions
What advice would you give to other young people?
Find something to be passionate about and try to follow it, don’t let others’ opinions matter or influence you negatively
What has been the most difficult challenge on the way and how did you overcome it?
As a young woman I was quite often ignored, stereotyped or discriminated against, I just continued my work without being put off and got involved in making things better for others, this gave me motivation
What do you think are the changes we need to see in the world and how can being U&K help solve those things?
Everyone needs to be valued for who they are, all our multiple identities matter and we need to encourage everyone to respect others and to actively challenge inequalities and stand up for our and others’ rights
How are you useful and kind to yourself - what helps and hinders?
Make sure you spend time doing things you enjoy and also help others who aren’t as fortunate as us; don’t worry too much as we can’t solve or put right everything but don’t think you are better than others you just may be more fortunate.
How are you both useful and kind to others (the easy ones and those who are more difficult to be U&K to)?
I am totally committed to challenging inequalities wherever I see them, I don’t do it to be popular and very often many others don’t want to hear what you say and may stop listening but you need to continue to speak out for truth and justice, you need to be strong to ensure things get better
What is your biggest challenge in the future?
Continuing to have the energy to keep going and not be put off by the negativity of others or society
What do you wish you had done differently?
Maybe continued to have completed becoming a qualified lawyer but despite this I think I used my legal academic qualifications in my professional work; maybe not taking enough time for myself or my family as I was too busy working hard