Famous and infamous women from Hackney's history
We were pleased to be able to meet again in St Margaret’s in March with a select group of members. Sue and Wendy from Hackney History Society gave an inspiring illustrated presentation on Famous – and Infamous – women who had lived, worked or somehow been connected with Hackney.
The project had been driven by a curiosity to discover both the well-known, and some forgotten or ‘unknown’ remarkable, (dead) women and create a 500-word piece for each to contribute to the book by The Hackney Society and Hackney History, Women from Hackney's History. (This has sold out, but may be reprinted, and Natasha possesses a copy!)
Clearly, women were the backbone of the industries – matches, Clarnico sweets for example – as workers and also as entrepreneurs. Designers, silversmiths, illustrators, artists, actors, agony aunts, activists for the vote and against fascism, the first policewomen, and shoplifters and a single woman driven to despair who drowned her child and was hanged: all have a history in Hackney. Difficult to choose one, but Nelly Power, a ‘lesser-known Music Hall star’, pictured above, who appears in a painting rescuing a woman at Southend whilst a crowd (of men) look on from the shore, did coincidentally feature in a Tate Modern talk just the previous week!
The Society is keen to continue the research.
Get involved, comment or ask:
historywomen@hackneysociety.org
Walk and learn:
Join:
They kindly donated their fee to NIA (Swahili for Purpose or Intent) the charity working to support women against sexual and domestic violence which has its roots in Hackney Women’s Aid and does work in many East London boroughs including Tower Hamlets.
Other News:
We have our first fundraising event at the East End Canal Festival 16 & 17 July. Dust off those cake tins…
Don’t forget April is the subscription month – do let our Treasurer Celya have £44 – no increase this year!
April will see a coffee morning in Bethnal Green Beehive; a walk to Cody Dock (with a chance to look at a couple of Madge Gill pieces there and at Three Mills; and another remarkable woman, Florence Nightingale, being illuminated at the next meeting.
Look out for our What's on in April blogpost for more information.
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