12 Top Women From Notts

image: Natalie Owen
 

All the letters after her name...

1. Margaret Humphreys CBE OAM
The Notts-born author and social worker smashed it out the park in 1987, with her incredible investigation into the government’s Home Children scheme that forcibly relocated British children from poor families to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The parents had no idea, and the poor nippers were told that their parents had died. In 2011, she was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Nottingham. Well-deserved too, we might add.

2. Dame Stella Rimington
While not strictly born and bred in Notts, she did attend Nottingham High School for Girls after her father got a job over in Ilkeston, so we’re claiming her as our own. Not only does she have a couple of books under her belt, but my girl was the first ever Director General of MI5. From 1992-96, Rimington was in charge of our countries national intelligence organisation. Bond, eat yer heart out. Stella’s in town.

illustration: Christine Dilks

3. Helen Watts
If you’re diligent followers of the ‘Lion, you might have heard of this top dollar woman before. Way back when – 1893, to be exact – Ms Watts was the daughter of the Vicar of Holy Trinity in Lenton. She gave up her cosy lifestyle in favour of securing the vote for women, and joined the Suffragette movement. She was imprisoned in 1909 for her involvement, but it didn’t put her off. Good on yer gal, your efforts were not in vain. Read the full article by the Dilettante Society here.

4. Alice Zimmern
This addition to our list began her career writing history books, which, in the nineteenth century, was a pretty mean feat for a woman. Her children’s books in particular were so popular that they were reprinted several times over. Later on in her career, she began to take a vested interest in women’s rights and education, and hung out with fellow suffragist authors, Edith Bland, Eleanor Marx and Beatrix Potter. There’s a girl gang we wish we belonged to.

Our Ada...

5. Ada Lovelace
While most will know her as the daughter of Lord Byron, we know she was much more than just that. The nineteenth century mathematician was primarily known for her work on Charles Babbage’s mechanical general purpose computer – the Analytical Engine. In fact, her notes are recognised as the very first algorithm, and as such, she is regarded by many as the first ever computer programmer. Proper brainy.

6. Samantha Morton
A modern-day superwoman, the actress, writer and director hails from Nottingham’s Television Workshop. Best known for role in 2002 thriller, Minority Report, her directorial debut The Unloved earnt her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Single Drama. We’re buzzing to see her take to our screens again in the Harry Potter spin off, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

TV Workshop Grad

7. Vicky McClure
Another Television Workshop graduate, the actress is best known for her work playing Lol in Shane Meadow’s This Is England. During a harrowing scene, Lol fights off her sexually abusive father’s advances, and ends up killing him – a defining moment in British television. Her standout performance won her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress. Read an interview with Vicky here.

8. Annie of Annie’s Burger Shack
An honorary Nottinghamian, and official representive of Hoodtown, her burgers alone are enough to secure her a position in this lineup. The Rhode Island resident moved to Notts way back when, and has since seen her business boom. A shining example of a modern business woman at her best. Plus, her parent’s crib is apparently proper haunted, so that automatically makes her super cool.

illustration: Christine Dilks

9. Maid Marian
This legend is far more than the love interest of a certain tight-clad male. Originally thought of as a shepherdess, her tale has evolved, making her a skilled fighter and self-proclaimed outlaw in Sherwood Forest. Her character was transformed into a feminist hero in Theresa Tomlinson’s Forestwife novels, depicting our Maz as escaping an arranged marriage, and setting up shop in owd Sherwood Forest.

10. Rebecca Adlington
She’s one of Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympians with four medals to her name. Not only that, but she’s an Ambassador for the Encephalitis Society following her sister’s struggle with the condition that causes brain inflammation. Charitable, a true winner, plus she ate bugs Down Under in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here. Yep, we like her.

Do your thaang, Jayne...

11. Jayne Torville
With both a gold and a bronze Olympic medal under her belt, there was no way we could avoid including our Jane in this here list. The infamous Bolero has made both herself and her skating partner, Christopher Dean, Nottingham heroes. She’s been appointed an Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham, as well as Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Oo-er. Read an interview with Jayne (and Chris) here.

12. Su Pollard
After playing an angel in her school nativity aged six, Su took on an apprenticeship at the Arts Theatre and took her career to the next level by appearing in Opportunity Knocks in 1974, losing out only to a singing Jack Russell. Happens to the best of us, duck. She’s appeared in numerous West End shows, and made her name as Peggy Ollerenshaw in Hi-de-Hi! She’s right funneh, and we’re right proud to have her. Read her long-awaited LeftLion interview here.

Find out about International Women's Day events in Nottingham here.

International Women's Day website