Only 14% of Blue Plaques in Cambridge are dedicated to women

Blue Plaque dedicated to Gwen Reverat on Darwin College Credit: ITV News Anglia

What do the suffragists Millicent Fawcett and Emily Davies, and the scientist Rosalind Franklin all have in common?

All of them achieved great things in Cambridge, but not one of them is recognised in the city with a plaque.

The Cambridge Blue Plaque Scheme was set up in 2001 to honour people who have made a contribution to the city, and places of special significance.

There have been 27 plaques put up around the city since then. 6 of them recognise events or places and 18 of them are dedicated to men. Just 3 blue plaques in Cambridge honour the achievements of women.

  • Eglantyne Jebb founded the charity Save the Children charity and is honoured with a plaque in Regent Street

  • Artist and author Gwen Raverat has a plaque on Darwin College

  • Quaker Ann Docwra has a plaque on the Friends' Meeting House, which she donated to the city in 1700

Plaque dedicated to Henry Fawcett on Brookside Credit: ITV News Anglia

Millicent Fawcett was a suffragist who campaigned tirelessly for women's right. Her husband - the Liberal MP Henry Fawcett - is honoured with a plaque outside the home they shared on Brookside in Cambridge. Millicent gets a mention on the plaque, but is only referred to as 'his wife'.

Another prominent suffragist with strong ties to Cambridge was Emily Davies. She co-founded Girton College - Britain's first residential university college for women.

Both Millicent Fawcett and Emily Davies have plaques in London, but neither is honoured here in Cambridge.

Plaque dedicated to Enid Porter will soon go up outside the Museum of Cambridge Credit: ITV News Anglia

One woman who is about to be recognised with a blue plaque is Enid Porter, the founder and curator of the Museum of Cambridge.

When it's installed, her plaque alone will boost the number dedicated to women by a quarter.

Cambridge City Councillor Ann Sinnott has responded to the findings of our investigation by putting forward a proposal to the Cambridge Blue Plaque Committee.

  • Women to be commemorated should:

  • have been dead for at least ten years

  • have been born or educated in Cambridge, or lived here

  • be eminent through their profession or calling

  • have made a significant contribution to the life of the city and its residents

  • merit recognition because of an outstanding or notorious act.

The council are asking Cambridge residents to get in touch with their nominations so that more women can be remembered in the city they contributed so much to.

Click below to watch a report by ITV News Anglia's Chloe Keedy