Angels of the North (Volume Two) More Notable Women of the North East

(Authors Joyce Quin & Moira Kilkenny)

This is a fascinating read which follows the original 2018 book, offering celebratory pen pictures of a further 35 North East women.

Including achievements in sport, the arts, medicine, politics, engineering, aviation, education and social campaigning and spanning from the 1400s to recent times. As the introduction says “Women whose actions have led to improvements in different aspects of our national or local life, or women whose personal creativity, bravery and persistence is inspirational and which can encourage and motivate us all.”

Among them we hear about Mary Jane Hancock, botanist and artist, who was an active partner with her brothers in setting up Newcastle’s Hancock Museum of natural history.

Miner’s daughter Bella Reay who was drafted into munitions work in WW1 and became the star of Blyth Spartans when women began to play football – which thrived until the Football Association banned the use of affiliated grounds post war, a ban which was to last until 1971!

Paediatrician Dr Christine Cooper, who raised the profile of caring for the mental and emotional development of children as well as their physical health. She was one of the first child specialists to recognise the extent and nature of child abuse, and also developed child health service in Africa.

Perhaps the most novel entry is about Matilda Burgh and Margaret Usher, serving maids who staged a protest in 1417 against the exclusion of women from visiting the shrine of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral. Pioneers for Women’s rights.

A theme in many of the entries is the importance of access to education in enabling women to achieve their potential – either from social disadvantage or from limited expectations. Perhaps another example of the “bridge” theme of this edition of Curious Squirrel.

A couple of questions.  How can we ensure that education services are resourced and supported to do the same for young people today?  We know that the North East is more challenged than some other areas. Who from current times will be their inspiring role models?                                                                                            

Christine Brown