English Heritage is marking the start of women’s history month with a new campaign to raise the profile of women who have made a significant impact to our lives, seeking nominations for blue plaques as part of the 150 year anniversary celebrations; their recent survey reveals that 40% of people think women have had less impact on history than men, and a quick video asking people to name three women from history resulted in some interesting responses!
English Heritage write:
To celebrate the start of women’s history month – as well as 150th anniversary of the blue plaque scheme – we are asking you to nominate significant women from history who lived or worked in London, and made a notable contribution to their field.
Anna Eavis, English Heritage Curatorial Director, said: ‘This year to mark women’s history month English Heritage will be celebrating the profound impact women have had on history. We’re calling on the public to help us to include more women amongst those recognised by the iconic blue plaques scheme, and will be launching an online hub of content to help inspire people.
‘Since English Heritage took over the blue plaques scheme in 1986 we have unveiled over 70 plaques commemorating women (61% of the total number) but with the scheme entirely reliant on public nominations we’re hoping that the public can help us continue to celebrate the impact of women.’
Only 13% of over 900 English Heritage blue plaques across London are dedicated to women. They include Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the suffragette movement, Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first woman to qualify as a doctor in Britain.
The blue plaques scheme relies on public nominations to commission new plaques, so we need you to nominate notable women who inspire you.
Proposed plaques must meet certain criteria, including:
- At least 20 years must have passed since a candidate’s death
- At least one building associated with the figure must survive within Greater London (but outside the City of London, which has its own scheme)
- Usually no more than two plaques are allowed on one building
View the press release and ‘name three women…’ video
Find out more about these women on EH’s Women’s History hub, which highlights the achievements of women in history
