If you’re in London do take a look at the blue plaques dotted around. If you’re really lucky you might even see a woman honoured in this way. But if you’re looking for women’s blue equality with the men you’ll need to stroll around for about another three hundred years or so.
So said English Heritage at the unveiling of the plaque pictured above, of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. She was an extraordinary woman and deserves commemoration. And so do many others. (You can read more about her here in this interview with Anita Anand).
Women’s Blue Equality in London
Currently there are about 900 blue plaques in London with about 85% of them commemorating men. yes, 85%. If only women were honoured from now on (imagine that, no men getting honoured at all…) it would still take fifty years for women to reach parity with men. (Photo by Nationaal Archief on Unsplash)
There is some good news, however. English Heritage has a female curatorial director, Anna Eavis, who says all applications are treated equally. So get your nominations in!
Who Is Your Blue Plaque Woman?
Who would you nominate to receive a blue plaque? There is a catch – they have to have been dead for at least 20 years and have made a significant contribution. I really hope those women who worked on the Covid vaccine get a plaque when the time comes. (Check out Professor Sarah Gilbert, to name but one) but there will be plenty of unsung women out there who deserve a mention. Our children need to see women represented everywhere if they are to grow up with a sense of equality.
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Posted on June 7th, 2023 by Jane
