We decided to save the best for last in our Women’s History Month celebrations. So, today’s Woman of the Day is the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) very own Dzaier Neil, introduced here by Jessica Goldfinch:
“Dzaier “Zi” Neil, what can one say?! Javelin Gold medallist at the Los Angeles Paralympics 1984 and table tennis Bronze medal finalist against France in Beijing 2008.
“She welcomed the 2012 Olympic Flame when it passed through Jubilee Gardens and performed in the same year at the Paralympic opening ceremony “Enlightenment”.
“A stalwart of disability rights, Councillor, Convenor of the Green Party Disability Group, former Co-Chair of Equality & Diversity on the Green Party Executive and Disability Officer for Greens of Colour, to name just some of Zi’s “hats” and campaign involvement.
“Zi is straight-talking, cogent, and compassionate. She turns her frustrations and acute sense of injustice into action. A credit to her self-will and determination, to the Green Party, to her country, to those with or without disabilities, and to women and girls.
Thank you Zi.”
Born in Algeria Zi was orphaned at an early age. She received a spinal injury from a bullet when crossing the border between Algeria and Tunisia and wasn’t expected to survive. After a short period in hospital the Red Cross arranged for her to be flown to Stoke Mandeville in the UK.
Despite this life changing event Zi has not let her subsequent disability define her and she has gone on to be an absolute role model of how to live life with a severe disability.
After initially studying Interior Design Zi would go on to work for over twenty years as a social worker focusing on child protection. Always active in her local community she has been a volunteer for Crisis working with the homeless, is a mentor to young people and a table tennis coach.
Her role in GPEW is legendary. Greens of Colour was dormant in the Green Party until Zi, along with others, reinvigorated the group and she is currently an advisor on the Deyika Fund, supporting people of colour becoming elected.
She also convened GPEW’s Disability Group, and added disability to the London Manifesto. As a result disability rights have finally gained prominence in GPEW.
Watch Zi’s speech at the 2021 GPEW conference below and hear from this amazing woman yourselves:
Green Living Room:
https://livingroom.greenparty.org.uk/2021/03/15/green-wave/
Disability News Service – Zi speaks to Green Party policy on free social care:
Beijing Olympics 2008 Table Tennis: