Jessie Donaldson: Swansea Anti-slavery campaigner remembered on International Women’s Day

The University marked International Women’s Day on March 8, by sharing the inspirational story of Swansea’s Jessie Donaldson, who bravely fought slavery in America around 170 years ago. Professor Elwen Evans, KC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales and UWTSD, delivered a lecture at UWTSD’s Reading Room in the Alex Building in Swansea, as part of the annual IWD Lecture series by UWTSD in collaboration with the University’s Women’s Network.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 was Inspire Inclusion.

Professor Evans said:

“Jessie Donaldson has been described as a pioneer, who fought for equality and change, not only in Wales, but in the USA. Her story was once described as being ‘long forgotten.’ However, that has now changed, with a blue plaque to proudly recognise her contribution in Swansea.

“By showcasing diverse narratives such as Jessie’s, we can inspire others like her to share their work, fostering a more inclusive and empowering society.”

The blue plaque dedicated to Jessie’s work can be found on the outside wall of the University’s Dynevor Building in the city centre.

It was unveiled in 2021 on June 19 – also referred to as Juneteenth – the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Jessie travelled to Ohio in the 1850s to operate a safe house on the famous ‘underground railroad’, risking fines and prison sentences for offering shelter and protection for slaves as they tried to escape from the southern states to the north of America.

The blue plaque nomination was submitted to Swansea Council by the late Swansea cultural historian Professor Jen Wilson, founder of Jazz Heritage Wales, which is based in the city’s Dylan Thomas Centre as part of UWTSD.

Professor Wilson, who researched Jessie’s life over many years, including making several visits to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati, said at the time: 

“Jessie Donaldson, at the age of 57, left Swansea to embark on an extraordinary life of international politics on a grand scale, her house on the banks of the Ohio river was the third of the Welsh safe houses for runaway slaves.

“Throughout the American Civil War Jessie worked alongside her friends, enabling fugitives from the plantations across the river to seek freedom.”

Following the lecture an awards ceremony marked and celebrated the achievements of women across the University.

Caroline Lewis, Head of UWTSD’s Centre for Professional Learning & Leadership (interim) and a founding member of the University’s Women’s Network said:

“On International Women’s Day we were delighted to be able to bring colleagues together to acknowledge the achievements of the past whilst also looking ahead to the future and to highlight those who are working to develop a more inclusive society. 

“We celebrated those nominated for our Women’s Network ‘Women of the Year’ award, marking the incredible contribution colleagues continually make to transforming education and transforming lives for both our staff and students.”

Note to Editors

Jessie was born in 1799, the daughter of lawyer Samuel Heineken and Mother Jennet. She lived in a three-storey terraced house in Dynevor Place, Swansea, for 41 years with sister Mary and brother Samuel.

In the 1820s she opened a school in Wind Street and at the age of 41 in 1840 Jessie married Francis Donaldson.

They set up home in a three-storey terrace in Grove Place where they lived for 16 years.

In 1854 the couple emigrated to Cincinnati and lived there throughout the American Civil War (1861–65) which began primarily as a result of the controversy over slavery.

The couple returned to Swansea in 1866 and lived briefly at Phillips Parade before moving to Ael-y-Bryn, Sketty. Jessie died in 1889.