Funmilayo Ransome Kuti: 5 Facts That You Did Not Know About The Nigerian Heroine
-5 amazing facts about the history and activism of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a teacher, women’s rights activist, and political campaigner.
Most people know her as the first woman to drive a car, however, she did much more than that.
This article is going to take you into Nigerian history and show why Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a hero.
1. Education and Teaching
Funmilayo was born on October 25, 1900, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She attended Abeokuta Grammar school before moving on to Wincham Hall School for Girls in England.
Funmilayo Kuti later returned to Abeokuta Grammer School as a teacher. She went on to play a prominent role in Education.
2. Feminist Activist
Kuti had a career in feminism which kickstarted in 1932. She was the founder of Abeokuta Ladies Club (ALC) a group that works against the injustice and exploitation of market women.
The club was very helpful and expanded to the Nigerian Women’s Union (NWU), a national organization. This coalition tackled all concerns of Nigerian women in society.
3. Right to vote for women
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was one of those who actively campaigned for the rights of women to vote in Nigeria. In a time when inequality was prevalent among genders, she dared to fight from a losing position.
4. Mother of Music Legend Fela
Funmilayo wasn’t just great, she raised 4 great children. She was the mother of Afrobeats King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Nigeria’s former health Minister.
Her children also took up activism, especially Fela. The music legend is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest political activists.
Read also: The life and history of King Jaja of Opobo
5. Death
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was killed by the Nigerian authorities in 1978. She was pulled by her hair and thrown out of the window several times.
Kuti sustained leg injuries and shock from the incident, which caused her death on 13th April 1978. The attack on her residence was known as the “Kalakuta War”.
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