At Sponge, we are thrilled and excited to sponsor the Changemaker Award as part of NWMN 2023.
To celebrate other standout changemakers in our region, we thought we’d spend a little time acquainting ourselves with a few mold-breakers and action-takers. From revolutionary writers to beloved performers, we think there’s a lot to be inspired by in our local history if only we take a moment to appreciate it.
Julian of Norwich
Let’s start in the Middle Ages with Julian of Norwich. Julian (or Juliana) became an anchoress at a young age, meaning that she dedicated her life to religion and prayer, choosing to live as a recluse outside of the norms of society.
She lived through a challenging period that many of us today would empathise with, as the Black Death ravaged Europe (killing an estimated 4,800–9,600 people in Norwich alone) and the Peasants’ Revolt led to violence and uprisings due to taxation and political instability.
Plague and political instability? Sound familiar?
In her lifetime, she became well-known and respected for her writing, despite the timing and her gender, publishing ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ and being best known for her calming phrase, ‘All shall be well’.
Harriet Martineau
Skipping forward to the 19th century, Harriet Martineau, who was born just off Magdalen Street, is seen by many as the first female sociologist.
As a pioneering feminist and campaigning abolitionist, her work (journals, books, some 1,600 articles, as well as translations) helped shape Victorian attitudes towards women’s rights and social justice.
Additionally, writing allowed her to financially support herself and her family following the collapse of her father’s textile business – something that was pretty much unheard of for a woman at the time.
She also traveled widely in the United States and was vocal in her criticisms of slavery and the treatment of women, in particular.
Olivia Colman
Delving into more current female changemakers, Olivia Colman is a local talent we simply have to talk about.
Born in Norwich in 1974 and educated at Norwich High School for Girls as well as Gresham’s School in Holt, it is truly inspiring to witness someone achieve great heights while remaining so humble.
Her successful career in the arts makes that pathway much more tangible, as the media often portrays the industry as being so competitive that only those from elite, London-centric backgrounds have any hope of a career. She proves this is not the case.
Olivia Colman is truly a brilliant changemaker who has proven that no matter your background, you can achieve great things, like winning Academy and Golden Globe Awards, and stand-out performances on both stage and screen.
Bimini Bon-Boulash
Bimini Bon-Boulash, ‘the world’s biggest and punkiest nonbinary superstar’, is perhaps one of the most iconic changemakers to have come out of Norwich. Growing up in Great Yarmouth, then moving to London in 2012 to study journalism, Bimini discovered drag, beginning their career as a drag performer in 2017.
Bimini was announced as one of twelve contestants competing on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2021, where they placed as the runner-up and became a legendary celebrity, breaking norms and being an all-around badass icon.
They are currently signed to the women’s division at Next Models as the first nonbinary talent, also scoring a book contract with Penguin: ‘Release the Beast’ as well as releasing ‘God Save this Queen’: a single about growing up working class and being non-binary. It’s a great song; you should give it a listen!
These individuals represent just a handful of the many talented and accomplished changemakers from Norwich and Norfolk. Maybe it’s in our DNA to be a bit radical here in the East? We’ll let you decide.
We’re excited to be celebrating another changemaker in September. Check out the shortlist here.
