Social and Environmental Activism in the Community
Many of Plymouth’s Powerful Women did not have a political, professional or commercial profile – and it is telling that they form one of the largest sections in this list – these are the ordinary women from a mix of social backgrounds who all, by their extraordinary efforts in the face of real challenges in many cases, made substantial contributions to the lives and welfare of their fellow Plymothians, shaping today’s city as a result of their efforts.
Erin King She is a PhD student at the University of Plymouth, with the Coastal Processes Research Group, and working in the area of hydrodynamic modelling. An oceanographer, she is also a keen sportswoman and outdoor enthusiast, and a contributor to Woman in STEM. With… Read More »Erin King
Hilary Kolinsky (architect and heritage activist) A prominent local architectural and heritage activist in Plymouth, working for McCaren Architecture in Plymouth as business manager and marketing she has a PhD in architectural history. Her research focus was on Plymouth’s post-war suburbs, particularly the Ernesettle development,… Read More »Hilary Kolinsky
Miss G.M. Lippert One of the important female figures associated with the interwar Virginia House Settlement project, acting as Warden.
Mrs Mabel March (1896-) Born in Stonehouse, the youngest daughter of Isabella and Thomas Pring, who ran Pring’s General Stores on George Street, she was brought up working in the well-known and locally respected family shop. Both Isabella and Mabel’s older sisters all had suffragist,… Read More »Mabel March
Miss Mabel Ellen March One of the two daughters of Mrs Mabel March, and born in Stonehouse, she grew up and remained there. She never married, but was – like her mother and sister Phyllis Russell – a community activist, and a highly practical one.… Read More »Mabel Ellen March
Mrs Heather Ogburn MBE Heather Ogburn came to Plymouth with her husband, when he was posted to the city, and over the succeeding 33 years, she has worked in the field of education, becoming a senior education advisor for Plymouth City Council. Her focus throughout… Read More »Heather Ogburn
Karen Pilkington A busy mother, Karen is also a committed activist in the Village Hub, an initiative which covers the electoral wards of Devonport and Stoke. This works to encourage, develop and sustain a community support network in these areas, capitalising on their heritage of… Read More »Karen Pilkington
Mrs Elspeth Sitters (1912-2008) Arriving in Plymouth as a young bride, the wife of Norman Sitters, Elspeth Sitters began the work that saw the establishment of Plymouth Age UK. Figures such as the City Estates Supervisor doubted her ability to sustain the initiative during the 1970s, but… Read More »Elspeth Sitters
Hannah Sloggett She worked for Plymouth City Council in the Planning Department, which gave her insight into the importance of community regeneration. She has employed her expertise to help a variety of community groups to engage with the planning process as part of her work… Read More »Hannah Sloggett
Mrs Lorraine Tucker BEM A dedicated campaigner working to improve services in her local community, she has a particular interest in promoting opportunities for children and young people in Plymouth, and the wider county. Mrs Tucker has worked for over 30 years in various fundraising… Read More »Lorraine Tucker