Sybil Phoenix (born Sybil Marshall, 21 June 1927[1]) is a British community worker. She is the first black woman to receive an MBE.[2]
She was born in British Guiana, and grew up in Georgetown. She and her fiance Joe Phoenix moved to England in 1956, and married in June of that year.[1]
Sybil Phoenix started fostering for Lewisham in 1961. She made her own hostel for girls and became a community worker. She has been involved in Black History Month[3] and was given an MBE in 1973.[4] In 1987, Princess Margaret asked her to be Minister without Portfolio for Guyana.
In 1996, Phoenix was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Lewisham,[5] and in 1998 was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.[6]
She received an OBE in 2008.[4][7]