Ethel Simon

Age: 59 years old and has lived here in the city for 41 years. For 30 years, she has been a rep for Avon, the cosmetic company and holds many other jobs too.

Mrs. Simon was born in Jamaica and arrived in Great Britain in 1961 heading straight for Gloucester, where her brother and friends were already living.

One of the issues that has affected her the most is the prejudice she encountered whilst living here. She recalls that when there was a sugar shortage in the early seventies, she was unable to buy sugar in her local Co-op store despite having a large family to feed; however when her white lodger went shopping, she would always able to get some. Ethel was finally told she could have 2lbs brown sugar but white was not available. In the end, Ethel resolved this problem by having her lodger do her shopping for her, but didn't know who to complain to about this. Another example was her treatment in a job she has held for 20 years; never in that time has she been asked if she is happy in her job or would want to change or progress to a higher position.

On the positive side, Ethel remembers when she was in hospital having one of her children, how a friend of one of her lodgers offered to look after Ethel's small children, which was a great help to her and was done out of kindness, not for any money. As a thank-you for this, Ethel showed this lady how to cook Jamaican food such as rice and peas, which she cooked beautifully according to Ethel.

Ethel has 7 children - 2 step children and 5 of her own, all living in Gloucester. The eldest is 43, her youngest is 30 years old, and sadly, one has passed away. Their occupations are varied and include a probation officer, nurse, mechanics, factory workers and care assistant.

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