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WELL KNOWN WOMEN OF EAST LONDON

This online exhibition featuring Politicians, Social Reformers, Artists, Activists and Performers, celebrates some of the wonderful women who are an important part of our history and have made valuable contributions to society. They are an inspiration to every woman everywhere.

With thanks to the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, Hackney Society & Hackney History, Eastside Community Heritage.

MABEL LUCIE ATTWELL

1851-1936
Writer & Illustrator

HENRIETTA BARNET

1851-93
Co-Founder Toynbee Hall

ANNIE BESANT

1844-1933
Matchgirls Strike

BEVERLEY SISTERS

Active 1944-2000s
Singers

CATHERINE BOOTH

1829-1890
Mother of the Salvation Army

BETTY BOX

1915-1999
Film Producer

ANGELA BURDETT-COUTTS

1814-1906
Philanthropist

EDITH CAVELL

1865-1915
Nurse

ALMA COGAN

1932-1966
Singer

NELLIE CRESSALL

1882-1973
Suffragette & Labour Activist

ELIZABETH FRY

1780-1845
Social Reformer

ELIZABETH GARRET-ANDERSON

1836-1913
Physician & Surgeon

MADGE GILL

1882-1961
Artist

KATE GREENAWAY

1846-1901

Illustrator

CLAUDIA JONES

1915-1964
Founder Notting Hill Carnival

OONA KING MP

b 1967
MP for Bethnal Green & Bow

HETTY KING

1883-1972
Music Hall Artiste

MINNIE LANSBURY

1889-1922
Suffragette & Politician

JOAN LITTLEWOOD

1914-2002
Theatre Director

MARIE LLOYD

1870-1922
Music Hall Artiste

DAME VERA LYNN

1917-2020
Singer

ALICIA MARKOVA

1910-2004
Ballerina

MIRIAM MOSES

1884-1965
Community Worker

MO MOWLAM

1949-2005
Politician

SYLVIA PANKHURST

1882-1960
Suffragette & Founder of the ELFS

ANNA SEWELL

1820-1878
Writer

HELEN SHAPIRO

b 1946
Singer

VESTA TILLEY

1864-1952
Music Hall Artiste

ELSIE & DORIS WATERS

1900-1978
Singers

BARBARA WINDSOR

1937-2020
Actor

WOMEN UNITE AGAINST RACISM

1990s
Bengali Women’s Group

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT

1759-1797
Mother of Feminism