Baard, Francina (1901–1997)

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Baard, Francina (1901–1997)

South African activist. Name variations: Frances "MaBaard" Baard. Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1901; died 1997; husband died, 1953; children.

Worked as a domestic servant, then as a teacher; joined ANC (1948) and was involved in organizing ANC's Women's League; was secretary of Women's League in Port Elizabeth by 1952; served as a leading member of Food and Canning Workers' Union and South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) Local and Management Committees; was among ANC's 156 members and allies caught up in government sweep (1956); tried for treason, was eventually released but charged again under the Suppression of Communism Act (1963) and held in jail in solitary confinement for 1 year before trial; was imprisoned for 5 more years; released (1969) and "endorsed out" to Mabopane, near Pretoria.