Sussex is home to some incredible sports people, not least powerful former track and field athlete and Steyning resident, Sally Gunnell. Let’s console ourselves over the postponement of this year’s Tokyo Olympics by revisiting and celebrating Sally Gunnell’s inspiring sports achievements. … Continued
When recalling the name Margaret Hardy, a number of Brightonians will no doubt cast their minds back to the teachers, uniform and fellow students of their former school. ‘Maggie Aggie’ as some knew it operated as Margaret Hardy High School … Continued
How many books have you read during this lockdown period? Have you found yourself devouring novels to transport yourself to another world temporarily? During this time we are more grateful than ever for the creative talents of writers and artists. … Continued
Today’s Pioneering Women of Sussex blog marks Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, with Dr Helen Boyle, Mental Health Pioneer and Hove’s first woman GP. There are a number of houses and flats tucked away on Brighton and Hove streets that, unbeknown … Continued
Guest blogger, Amy Zamarripa Solis of This is Too Real and Brighton & Hove Black History Project, highlights the importance of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex as a pioneering woman. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, means a lot to people … Continued
Brighton alumni, Rachel Whiteread was the first woman to win the prestigious Turner Prize in 1993. Her work is described by Tate as ‘minimalism with a heart’. Born in Ilford, London in 1963, Rachel Whiteread was influenced by her father’s … Continued
Today we celebrate another incredible Sussex musician. One of the first and most successful women to make the most of the potential of recorded music was Southwick born, Dame Clara Butt (1872 – 1936). Dame Clara went on to become … Continued
In celebration and recognition of what would have been the start of this year’s Great Escape music festival in Brighton, today’s pioneering woman of Sussex blog puts the spotlight on Shirley Collins, the so-called ‘first lady of folk’. When Hastings-born … Continued
In honour of today’s International Nurses Day, we are recognising and celebrating the story of Brighton woman and military nurse, Florence Holdgate. Today we recognise the incredible work that all nurses do across the NHS to bring us health and … Continued
Today’s Pioneering Women of Sussex blog is written by Museum Assistant Lisa Hinkins. Lisa celebrates the incredible Lady Denman, director of the Women’s Land Army during the Second World War, and President of the Women’s Institute from 1917 – 1946. … Continued
Today marks 75 years since Europe marked the end of the war that had changed the face of the world forever. 8 May 1945, saw Winston Churchill proclaim peace in Europe with the words, ‘My dear frends, this is your … Continued
Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe. Over the next few days we’ll be sharing stories of pioneering women who placed important roles in the Second World War, from flying planes, to setting up key wartime … Continued
Nus Ghani has served as the MP for the East Sussex constituency of Wealden since 2015, re-elected in last year’s General Election, taking over 60% of the votes for the Conservative Party. She is the first woman ever to hold this seat and has spent … Continued
From a postal boutique to an international lifestyle brand, Barbara Hulanicki trailblazed her way through the Swinging Sixties, revolutionising highstreet shopping and cementing her place in fashion and social history. In 1963 Barbara Hulanicki started a small mail-order fashion company, … Continued
‘I loved the freedom on the bike’. Crawley-born Katie-George Dunlevy (b1981) is a high scoring paralympic road and track cyclist, best known for winning gold and silver medals with pilot Eve Crystal at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. Before arriving at Rio in 2016 Dunlevy who … Continued
Today is Beltane, the ancient Celtic festival that marks the beginning of summer, and is celebrated by the Wicca movement. Today we celebrate one of Brighton’s most intriguing women, the mother of modern witchcraft, Doreen Valiente (1922 – 1999). In … Continued
Sussex has no shortage of talented women who have had trailblazing careers in entertainment. Two sisters who were household names in the middle of the twentieth century and found a home in Steyning were Elsie and Doris Waters, aka ‘Gert … Continued
There’s no shortage of talented cooks and cookery writers to have come from Sussex. Perhaps the one who has had the most influence on how we eat today is Polegate born Elizabeth David, CBE, (1913 – 1992) Perhaps fitting for someone … Continued
Before the days of social media Facebook mutual aid groups and neighbourhood Whatsapp teams, a young woman called Violet ‘Betty’ Baxter, became known as the ‘Silver Lady’, for her support and work with those facing homelessness and destitution. The Silver … Continued
Any fan of early cinema will be familiar with Hove’s pioneering history of early film-making and film makers. They may have even heard of George Albert Smith, the showman and early film maker who bought the town’s St Ann’s Well … Continued
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