100 Welsh Women
A celebration of 100 years of women getting the vote
WEN Wales and an expert panel created the 100 Welsh Women list to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. We wanted to celebrate the contribution these 100 women have made to our national life. The list comprises 50 women from the past who made a big impact on Welsh life and 50 inspiring women who are currently shaping Wales.
It includes politicians, suffragettes, anti-slavery campaigners, champions of the Welsh language, poets and science pioneers and many more but all have made a significant and lasting impact.
WEN Wales also worked with the Monumental Welsh Women group in campaigning for the first statue of a welsh woman in an outdoor space in Wales. A panel of experts chose five women from the 100 Welsh Women list to be put forward for a public vote for their ‘Hidden Heroine. ’
Betty Campbell, the first BME woman to be a head teacher in Wales, was announced as the winner in January 2019 and will have a statue erected in Central Square, Cardiff.
WEN Wales continues to work with our partners to ensure that women can take their rightful place in history across Wales and are properly recognised in street names, statues and by Purple Plaques.
100 Welsh Women illustrations by Molly Allen