Mabel Race Norton lived through two world wars and, although constrained by social convention and the Church, was at the forefront of social change.

She chose to spend her time, energy and skills working both within the Church of England, as a lynchpin of the Mothers’ Union, and within her community as a quiet influencer for the rights of disabled war veterans, child evacuees and young women struggling to find their place in a post-war world.

Mabel Norton, campaigner for child welfare, the rights of mothers, the disabled and working women
Mabel Race Norton, campaigner for child welfare, the rights of mothers, the disabled and working women

Wakefield Blue Plaque for Mabel Norton

The Round our Way team in WW1 VAD Costume with Mael Norton's Blue Plaque
Mabel Norton Blue Plaque, Photo: Mark Ratcliffe

Mabel is Blue Plaque Number 36 in our campaign for Blue Plaque Parity. Her plaque is on the small column next to the noticeboard at the west entrance to Wakefield Cathedral. We unveiled it during the September Artwalk in 2024.

Mabel’s was the first blue plaque commemorating a Forgotten Woman to receive its entire funding through ticket sales from heritage walks around Wakefield. The volunteer Round Our Way team organised the walks.

As the creative heritage arm of Dream Time Creative, Sarah, Jack, Olivia, and Debbie have worked tirelessly to provide entertaining, interactive and immersive walks for people interested in our history.

We were absolutely delighted to be able to gift this beautiful blue plaque to the Mothers’ Union. Money raised by the Round Our Way volunteers meant that we could remember and celebrate Mabel Norton’s story as a quiet feminist and pioneer in child welfare.

A huge thank you to everyone involved.

Mabel Norton’s Blue Plaque Installation

Watch the installation of Mabel’s plaque at Wakefield Cathedral.

A Wonderful Connection – Memories of Mabel Norton

Sometimes wonderful things happen. People remember our Forgotten Women and come forward with stories about them. We were delighted when the Cathedral office received this lovely personal memory of Mabel Norton:

I have just been reading an article (online) about Miss Mabel Race Norton – this was so interesting as she was my Sunday School teacher at the Kitchenroyd Reading Room.

I also remember going to a ‘club’ at Bagden Hall called the King’s Messengers, and meeting a girl, slightly older than me, called Barbara Butler – i presume she was one of her evacuees.

My Grandma Clara Askham also had a girl called June Brackenbury to live with her (I have photographs of her, and presume she was one of Miss Norton’s evacuees?

Best wishes to you all for keeping up the good work at Wakefield!

A group of Mothers' Union members with researcher Sue and Mabel Norton's blue plaque
A group of Mothers’ Union members and researcher Sue (4th from left) with Mabel Norton’s blue plaque outside Wakefield Cathedral
A group of Mothers' Union members with Mabel Norton's blue plaque outside Wakefield Cathedral
A group of Mothers’ Union members with Mabel Norton’s blue plaque outside Wakefield Cathedral

Researching Mabel Norton’s Life

Researching the lives of forgotten women can have a profound effect on the people involved.

In this video, one of the researchers reflects on what discovering Mabel’s story meant to her.

Press and Further Information

Wakefield’s Mabel Race Norton – defender of the faith, disabled, displaced and disaffected (yorkshirebylines.co.uk)

Blue plaque to be installed at Wakefield Cathedral to mark life of Mabel Norton