Leeds: Inspirational women to be honoured on walls of council chamber

The Civic Hall contains numerous tributes to men, the council said

Inspirational women are to be commemorated in Leeds Civic Hall for the first time.

The selected women will have their names inscribed on the walls of the building's council chamber.

Leeds City Council is asking the public to choose those to be honoured from an initial list of six names

These "remarkable women" include a sporting legend, the city's first black head teacher and munitions factory workers, the council said.

The Civic Hall, built in 1933, is covered in the names of men who have contributed to the city's history.

However, the council said it was "keen to ensure inspirational women from the city's past are also recognised".

Munitions factory workers killed in an explosion during World War One are among the suggestions

Debra Coupar, deputy leader and executive member for resources, said the names on the walls of the council chamber echoed "a time when the accomplishments of women were not held in the same high esteem which they are today".

"It's high time we begin to ensure that the achievements of these truly remarkable women get that same recognition and that their names stand as a lasting inspiration for future generations."

Champion cyclist Beryl Burton OBE (pictured middle) is also included on the list

The authority has issued a list of six women and the public have their change to register a vote until the 1 March, they can also suggest other women who should be recognised.

The initial list features:

• Gertrude Paul - the city's first black head teacher and an advocate for the Afro-Caribbean community in Yorkshire

• Leonara Cohen OBE - a leading member of the campaign for the right of women to vote, who was arrested for smashing a glass case at the Tower of London

• Alice Bacon CBE - became the city's first female MP and later served as a Home Office minister in the 1960s where she oversaw the abolition of the death penalty, the legalisation of abortion and the decriminalisation of homosexuality

• Beryl Burton OBE - the racing cyclist who dominated the sport in the UK and abroad, winning more than 90 domestic championships and seven world titles

• The Barnbow Lasses - these were the women and girls who worked in the Barnbow Munitions Factory during World War One, 35 of them were killed in an explosion in 1916

• Ivy Benson - a saxophonist and bandleader, who led an all-female swing band. Her band were the first entertainers to be invited to perform at the VE celebrations in Berlin in 1945.

Ivy Benson led the BBC's resident house band in 1943

The names of those chosen will be announced on International Women's Day on 8 March 8, and will form part of a report for the final decision making process later in the year.

The names formally agreed will be added to the walls of the chamber alongside the men from the city's past who already feature there.