My mother, Gloria Jenkins, who has died aged 86, embarked on a career in social work and education in the late 1950s. She first worked as a house mother in children’s homes, then as a childcare officer in Camberwell, south-east London, and Glamorgan, south Wales.
In 1972 Gloria was appointed lecturer in social work at Gwent College of Higher Education and thus embarked on 25 years of social work education and latterly university administration. Just as she had been a professional, skilled and empathetic social worker she became an inspirational teacher. As course director for the certificate of qualification in social work she supported hundreds of social workers in their desire to join the profession.
Gloria spent time in the Netherlands, Spain and Israel sharing social work practice. In 1988–89 she was visiting professor of social work at the University of Texas. In 1990, she began the final part of her professional career, as leader of the small team working to gain university status for the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (now Cardiff Metropolitan University), which was attained in 1996, the year before her retirement.
The elder daughter of David Moulds, a miner, and his wife, Cassie (nee Morgan), Gloria was born in Blaenllechau, in the south Wales valleys, and attended Ferndale grammar school. She was one of the first to attend university from her community, graduating in 1958 with a degree in English and history from Cardiff University, and marrying a fellow student, Tony Jenkins, in 1960. She later completed the diploma in applied social studies, followed by the certificate of qualification in social work at the university. In 1981 Gloria gained a master’s in education.
Gloria joined the British Association of Social Workers in 1971 and remained an active member until her retirement. She was a member of the Labour party for 60 years, took part in early CND marches and sat in the mud at Greenham Common.
In 2001 Gloria founded the Welsh chapter of Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. She attended the very first Pride events in Cardiff, and was one of the first co-chairs of Stonewall Cymru. In 2003 she received an achievement award from Stonewall and in 2017 was delighted to be honoured as part of Pride Cymru’s Icons and Allies exhibition.
Gloria loved the arts. She was an active patron of Welsh National Opera and the Contemporary Arts Society for Wales. In 2006, she completed a degree in the history of art, graduating with first-class honours and became a popular guide for the National Museum of Wales.
Her marriage to Tony ended in 1984. Gloria is survived by three children, Sian, Michael and me, and two grandchildren, Owen and Ieuan.
