Visit the Events Page for Off the Shelf events 2024

Shining a light on Hidden Figures

“When we look at our evolution from slavery, through Civil Rights and Windrush to where we are now, we’ve come a long way. Many people have helped to pave the way and break down barriers. We won’t forget our journey but somewhere along the way, some of our stories and…

When we look at our evolution from slavery, through Civil Rights and Windrush to where we are now, we’ve come a long way. Many people have helped to pave the way and break down barriers. We won’t forget our journey but somewhere along the way, some of our stories and histories have been hidden.”

Ruth McDonald, Social Worker and Race Equality Business Lead at Sheffield City Council, is helping to shine a light on the many inspirational figures whose stories are rarely told. Ruth has curated the ‘Hidden Figures’ Off the Shelf strand to bring these remarkable stories to life through a series of talks, exhibitions and musical performances.

We sat down with Ruth to learn more about the inspiration behind Hidden Figures.

Tell us about your background and what led you to where you are today?

I grew up on the Wybourn estate with a single mum and three older brothers. At the time, my family was one of only three Black families on the Wybourn estate. I was excluded from school at 14 with no qualifications and never went back. I was told I would never succeed in life. I went on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) when I was 16 and a Black teacher, who was such a positive role model, told me I was bright and could do better. Those words stuck with me forever.

Against the odds I went to university and studied for a degree in social work, eventually being diagnosed as dyslexic when I was 28. Since then I’ve been on the front line working with children and families, understanding the challenges and demands they face and trying to empower them to help themselves. I think of myself as a motivator and a problem solver, which is something that can be applied to anything, from helping families to curating exhibitions.

From an exhibition celebrating forgotten Black inventors to gospel, ska and reggae in the Winter Gardens, what inspired the wonderfully eclectic Hidden Figures strand?

I’ve worked with the University over the past couple of years to curate events including the Sheffield MOBOs celebration and the Caribbean Footsteps exhibition at Weston Park Museum so this felt like a natural progression. When it comes to Black History Month, a lot of people come to me to see what’s happening. I have strong connections in the community and I like to think I’m good at bringing people together. 

With Hidden Figures, I want to show people that anything is possible. It’s about highlighting those positive role models who’ve helped and inspired me along the way. I specifically wanted to look at scientists too, a discipline where women and those from diverse communities are very much underrepresented. I want to see more young people who don’t see it as an option go to university and do brilliant things with their lives. Too often we give up on our young people and it’s so much wasted potential. There has to be a better way.

What are your Hidden Figures highlights?

I love all of it! But if you’re going to make me pick, I can’t wait to hear the Sheffield Gospel Choir in the Winter Gardens. We’re also being joined by a brilliant visually impaired musician Jason Dasent from Trinidad who is incredibly talented and just inspirational. It’s very important that those with disabilities are also represented and we want the events to be accessible to everyone.

I can’t wait to see the amazing Stella Kisob Knowles, who has featured on Hairy Bikers on TV, share the secrets to her mouthwatering West African cookery. I’m also very excited to hear from Sheffield boxing legend Johnny Nelson who will be discussing his autobiography, Hard Road to Glory, How I Became Champion of the World. I’ll stop now before I list everything!

What else are you looking forward to at Off the Shelf?

Black Women Writers – Dorothy Koomson and Kit de Waal

Bestselling authors Dorothy Koomson and Kit de Waal discuss their paths to publication, what it was like being Black women writers when they began their careers, what it’s like now and advice for new writers.  This event is open to all and aimed at readers and writers alike.

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Read: The Dear Sister Anthology

For the Dear Sister project, its participants wrote letters to "sisters"—inspirational women in their lives. Read the anthology.

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