New campaign to get more London women recognised

The Liberal Democrat Assembly member, Caroline Pidgeon, is backing a campaign to nominate an Ealing sportswoman for a blue plaque.

Currently only 14 per cent of London's 943 iconic plaques commemorate  women. The scheme, which has been running since 1866 and is overseen by English Heritage, honours Londoners who have made a positive contribution in their field, communities and wider society. 

As part of this centenary year, the London Assembly is seeking to submit 100 nominations of women worthy of a Blue Plaque.

Charlotte Cooper (1870-1966)

Tennis player, Charlotte Cooper who was born in Ealing was the first ever woman to win an Olympic title, when women were admitted into the Games in Paris in 1900.

A five times Wimbledon singles champion, she also won the mixed doubles event, as well as the Swiss, German and Irish titles which were prestigious at the time. Charlotte went deaf in her mid 20s, and had two children, but continued playing – and winning – until the age of 37. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.

As part of the drive to recognise more women  the campaign #backtheplaque is inviting everyone to submit any nominations of female Londoners who have contributed that you believe to be deserving of a Plaque.

If you have a suggested nomination for a female Londoner that passed away and made a positive contribution to London that the Assembly can present to English Heritage, then please email BackthePlaque@london.gov.uk.

Read more here

22nd January 2019