Sarah Cobham leads a history walk based on blue plaques for women about
Sarah Cobham leads a history walk based on blue plaques for women

The Forgotten Women of Wakefield project is working to uncover the lives of women from many different backgrounds and ensure that their contributions are recognised and remembered.

One of the ways we do this is through our blue plaque programme. Blue plaques help make women’s history visible in the places where these remarkable individuals lived, worked and made a difference. They provide a lasting reminder of the people who helped shape Wakefield and the surrounding district.

To begin our research, we focused on a number of notable women whose stories offered valuable starting points for exploring the wider history of women’s lives in Wakefield. The women featured below form part of our growing blue plaque scheme and represent just a few of the many stories we continue to uncover.

Click on any plaque to learn more about the woman it commemorates and her place in Wakefield’s history.

Women Honoured with Blue Plaques

Baroness Alice Bacon, Yorkshire's first woman MP
Baroness Alice Bacon, Yorkshire’s first woman MP
Florence Beaumont, a born feminist
Florence Beaumont, a born feminist
Louisa Fennell, an extraordinary Wakefield artist
Louisa Fennell, an extraordinary Wakefield artist
The Gissing Sisters, who opened Wakefield's first prep school for boys
The Gissing Sisters, who opened Wakefield’s first prep school for boys
Gertrude McRoben, Head Teacher of WGHS, Teacher and Schools Inspector
Gertrude McRoben, Head Teacher of WGHS, Teacher and Schools Inspector
Edith Mackie, philanthropist, Founder and President of Wakefield Victoria Nursing Association
Edith Mackie, philanthropist, Founder and President of Wakefield Victoria Nursing Association
Phyllis Lett, acclaimed contralto
Phyllis Lett, acclaimed contralto
Dame Marjorie Williamson, University Administrator and Physicist
Dame Marjorie Williamson, University Administrator and Physicist
Edna Coates, a tireless charity fundraiser who helped to establish Wakefield Diabetes Centre
Edna Coates, a tireless charity fundraiser who helped to establish Wakefield Diabetes Centre
Eva Lett, the first woman to be appointed Principal of Ripon College
Eva Lett, the first woman to be appointed Principal of Ripon College
Clara Clarkson, whose diaries provide valuable insight into local history and the lives of Victorian women
Clara Clarkson, whose diaries provide valuable insight into local history and the lives of Victorian women
The Staynes Sisters, who stood up for Justice at the Siege of Quebec Street
The Staynes Sisters, who stood up for Justice at the Siege of Quebec Street
Mary Heaton, the "Tragic Patient" who created a legacy of needlework samplers
Mary Heaton, the “Tragic Patient” who created a legacy of needlework samplers
Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell, established the first Northern St John Ambulance Brigade division
Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell, established the first Northern St John Ambulance Brigade division
Ann Hurst, Wakefield's first female newspaper owner and proprietor, abolitionist
Ann Hurst, Wakefield’s first female newspaper owner and proprietor, abolitionist
Sarah Parker Remond and Elisabeth Dawson, campaigners for abolition, suffrage, human rights
Sarah Parker Remond and Elisabeth Dawson, campaigners for abolition, suffrage, human rights
Eliza Gleadall, British Botanical Artist, Headmistress and Author
Eliza Gleadall, British Botanical Artist, Headmistress and Author
Clara Clarkson, whose diaries provide valuable insight into local history and the lives of Victorian women
Clara Clarkson, whose diaries provide valuable insight into local history and the lives of Victorian women
Fanny Stott, the first female Mayor of Wakefield, and magistrate
Fanny Stott, the first female Mayor of Wakefield, and magistrate
The Edmonstone Women, Conservationists, mixed heritage women who saved Charles Waterton's legacy
The Edmonstone Women, Conservationists, mixed heritage women who saved Charles Waterton’s legacy
Elizabeth Moxon, influential cookery writer
Elizabeth Moxon, influential cookery writer
Hannah Pickard, Ossett Philanthropist
Hannah Pickard, Ossett Philanthropist
Alice Gostick, artist and ground-breaking art teacher at Castleford Secondary School
Alice Gostick, artist and ground-breaking art teacher at Castleford Secondary School
Mabel Norton, campaigner for child welfare, the rights of mothers, the disabled and working women
Mabel Norton, campaigner for child welfare, the rights of mothers, the disabled and working women
Denise Castle, Bronze Medal Winner at the Athens European Athletic Championship
Denise Castle, Bronze Medal Winner at the Athens European Athletic Championship
Gwendoline Beaumont, Florence Beaumont, Millicent Fawcett, pioneering feminists of Hatfeild Hall
Gwendoline Beaumont, Florence Beaumont, Millicent Fawcett, pioneering feminists of Hatfeild Hall
Emily Fennell and Edith Wright, leading the way in medical reform
Emily Fennell and Edith Wright, leading the way in medical reform

In November of 2024, Wakefield Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque to Mabel Lucy Matthews (nee Hanlon), an electrical engineer.