20 Facts About Hilda Bernstein

Hilda Bernstein OLG was a British-born author, artist, and an activist against apartheid and for women's rights.

Hilda Bernstein was born Hilda Schwarz in London, England, and emigrated to South Africa at the age of 18 years, becoming active in politics.

Hilda Bernstein married fellow activist Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein in March 1941, and together they played prominent roles in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa.

Hilda Bernstein returned with her husband to South Africa in 1994 for the South African election in which fellow activist Nelson Mandela was elected President.

Hilda Bernstein died at the age of 91 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Hilda Bernstein was not able to return to Britain, and after his death she quit school to work, before emigrating to South Africa at the age of 18 to work in journalism.

Hilda Bernstein demonstrated her speaking and organizing skills on the party's district committee and national executive committee.

Hilda Bernstein used this position for three years as a platform for publicizing the injustices of racism.

Hilda Bernstein was a founding member of the multi-racial Federation of South African Women in 1956, and she was one of the organizers of the Women's March to Pretoria.

Hilda Bernstein's writings were appearing regularly in periodicals in South Africa and other nations in Africa and Europe.

Hilda Bernstein was therefore required to go underground with her political work.

Hilda Bernstein fled from their home as the police were on the way to arrest her.

Hilda Bernstein dedicated her written and oral communication skills to the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the British peace movement.

Hilda Bernstein wrote several books, including The World That Was Ours, which documented their flight from South Africa.

Hilda Bernstein dedicated more time to her art, which appeared in several shows and became part of many public and private collections.

Hilda Bernstein's artwork was used in many publications for the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

Rusty and Hilda Bernstein returned to South Africa in 1994 to participate in the South African election which was the first democratic election where all races were allowed to vote, and see the end of apartheid and their fellow ANC member Nelson Mandela become president.

In 1998, both Rusty and Hilda Bernstein were awarded honorary degrees from the University of Natal for their role in helping to bring democracy to South Africa.

Hilda Bernstein died from heart failure at the age of 91 at her home in Cape Town, South Africa.

Hilda Bernstein was survived by their four children: Toni, Patrick, Frances, and Keith Bernstein.