From the battlefields of the Roman era to the front lines of medical science and social reform, here is a look at some of the most influential women in British history.

1. Boudica: The Warrior Queen (c. 30 – 61 AD)

Long before the UK existed as a unified nation, Boudica, Queen of the Iceni tribe, led a massive uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire. Though her rebellion was ultimately suppressed, she remains an enduring symbol of British resistance and female leadership. Her legacy was famously revived during the Victorian era, cementing her place as a foundational figure in the British national identity.

2. Mary Wollstonecraft: The Mother of Feminism (1759 – 1797)

A philosopher and writer, Wollstonecraft authored A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792. In an era when women were considered domestic subordinates, she argued that they were not naturally inferior to men but only appeared so because they lacked education. Her daughter, Mary Shelley, would go on to write Frankenstein, but Wollstonecraft’s own intellectual blueprint provided the foundation for the modern women’s rights movement.

3. Mary Seacole: The Pioneer of Nursing (1805 – 1881)

While Florence Nightingale is a household name, the story of Mary Seacole is equally vital. A British-Jamaican nurse, Seacole set up the “British Hotel” behind the lines during the Crimean War. Despite being refused official support by the War Office, she used her own resources to provide food and medical care to wounded soldiers. Her resilience and knowledge of traditional medicine made her a hero of her time.

4. Millicent Fawcett & Emmeline Pankhurst: The Fight for the Vote

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were defined by the struggle for suffrage.

• Millicent Fawcett led the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), advocating for change through peaceful, constitutional means.
• Emmeline Pankhurst, weary of the slow progress, founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). Their motto, “Deeds, not words,” led to more militant tactics.Together, these different approaches eventually secured the right to vote for women in 1918 (partially) and 1928 (fully).

5. Rosalind Franklin: The Unsung Hero of DNA (1920 – 1958)

Science in the 20th century was largely dominated by men, yet one of the greatest discoveries in human history—the double helix structure of DNA—relied heavily on the work of Rosalind Franklin. Her X-ray diffraction images, particularly “Photo 51,” provided the crucial evidence used by Watson and Crick. Though she passed away before the Nobel Prize was awarded, history has since corrected the record to honor her indispensable contribution to genetics.

6. Baroness Doreen Lawrence: The Campaigner for Justice

In more recent history, Doreen Lawrence transformed the British legal landscape. Following the tragic murder of her son Stephen in 1993, she fought a decades-long battle against systemic failings in the police force. Her campaigning led to the Macpherson Report, which fundamentally changed how institutions address discrimination and led to the partial repeal of the “double jeopardy” law.

Why We Remember

Women’s History Month is more than a history lesson; it is a reminder that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were not inevitable. They were won through the persistence of women who dared to challenge the status quo.

As we celebrate March, we look back to these historical figures not just to admire the past, but to find the inspiration to continue building a more equitable future.

How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in the UK:

Support Modern Pioneers: Follow the work of women currently making history in STEM, politics, and the arts.

Visit the Museums: The Museum of London and the V&A often hold specific exhibits on suffrage and fashion history.

Read Local Stories: Look into the “Blue Plaques” in your city to find women who lived and worked in your neighborhood.