From the world of work and sport to pioneering women’s education and being a charity champion, their achievements are far-reaching and have had an impact way beyond their home city. Here’s 21 women who’ve really made a difference, in no particular order.
21. Susan Peareth, Educator
A blue plaque was recently unveiled on The Blue Bell Inn in Washington to honour the work of a pioneering educator who worked to better the lives of those less fortunate. Susan Peareth, the Lady of Peareth Hall in the 1800s, is known for her work with poorer families and children, teaching them numeracy, reading and writing. At the time, there were very few schools in existence for the poor. When she died in 1821, she left money to build a school on the site of what is now the Blue Bell Inn in Peareth Hall Road. High Usworth School, as it became, stood from 1826 until 1969 and played a key role in educating people in the Washington area. Pictured at the plaque unveiling are, from left: Coun Bernie Scaplehorn, Blue Bell staff Emma Forsyth, Washington Trust Susan Brown and Blue Bell landlady Lisa Dorman. Photo: JPI Media