The work of a north Powys foundry was in the spotlight as a statue of an inspirational Welsh teacher was unveiled in Cardiff this week.
Betty Campbell MBE, who died in 2017 aged 82, has been immortalised in bronze for her "pioneering" work championing equality and diversity - after Castle Fine Arts Foundry cast the four metre high statue in their Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant works.
She was chosen for the memorial by the Welsh public who voted in BBC Wales' Hidden Heroines campaign, and is thought to be the first named, non-fictionalised woman to have a monument in her honour erected in an outdoor public space in the country.
It was commissioned by Monumental Welsh Women, an organisation on a mission to create five statues honouring five Welsh women, with Mrs Campbell's being the first.
"We're absolutely very proud to have been involved in a project like this, it's phenomenal. It's been a big project for us which has run over a couple of years, somewhat delayed by coronavirus as well," said Castle Fine Arts Foundry spokesperson Faye Pearson Jones.
"All our work is equally important to us regardless of the size of the project, but we're always very grateful and very appreciative to be involved in something like this.
"It's such a hopeful and inspirational project, it's been a privilege to work on for us."
The statue by sculptor Eve Shepherd was transported from the factory by lorry to Cardiff, where final touches were added before the official unveiling outside the new HMRC building in Central Square on Wednesday, September 29.
Representatives from the company travelled to the capital for an emotional unveiling ceremony, which saw the statue unveiled to the tuneful backdrop of a choir of children from the school she once ran.
"I have had the total privilege and honour to create a monument which is a celebration of diversity," said Ms Shepherd.
"I hope this sculpture is a fitting tribute to Cardiff and Tiger Bay, the richly diverse community in which Betty grew up in and loved. I aimed to continue through this monument, the education in which Betty felt so passionately about, especially black education.
"At the start of this project the statue of Edward Colston was still looming above the public on his plinth for another 12 months and George Floyd was still alive. Thank goodness that the tide is now turning within our society, and I believe Betty’s monument is a testament to this."
Born in Butetown in 1934, historically one of the city's most multi-cultural areas, as a child Betty Campbell was told by teachers her dream of becoming an educator was "insurmountable".
After her father was killed in the Second World War, her mother struggled to make ends meet and as a young girl she was raised among the poverty of Tiger Bay, now the regenerated Cardiff Bay.
During her time as headteacher of Mount Stuart Primary School in Butetown pupils began being taught about slavery and black history, inspired by the US civil rights movement.
Her work to provide equality and multicultural education became recognised internationally, and Nelson Mandela sought her out on his only visit to Wales during his presidency of South Africa in 1998.
She went on to help create Black History Month, serve as councillor for the Butetown ward, and was a member of the Home Office's race advisory committee.
In 2003, she was awarded an MBE for her services to education and community life.
Mrs Campbell's daughter Elaine Clarke told the PA news agency: "I feel very emotional, but really proud that it's my mum who is going to be the first statue in Wales of a woman.
"If my mum, bless her, was here she'd be delighted. It's an unusual sculpture, and my mum was a very unusual woman so I think it's very fitting that a sculpture like this was made by Eve."
Mrs Campbell's granddaughter Michelle Campbell-Davies added: "Representation really, really matters.
"The images we see as young women, as people of colour, as Welsh citizens, they influence our thoughts and our thinking.
"One of the great things is having this statue of nan and all it represents in the centre of Cardiff it goes to show the tide is turning.
"It gives a nod to the younger generation as well to just believe in yourself and know that there are people out there advocating for you.
"You don't have to settle for the boundaries people set for you."
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