6 Inspiring Women of Gillingham
International Women’s Day may have come and gone, but I have recently learnt of six inspiring women that have strong connections to our beautiful town of Gillingham – and I would like to share that knowledge with you. As I think International Women’s Day should be everyday 🤗 (International Women’s Day x 2 😝) – here is more about those 6 wonderful and inspiring Women of Gillingham.
Rosemary Desmond Boswell Tonks – author and illustrator of children’s books
Rosemary Desmond Boswell Tonks was the author and illustrator of children’s books and also wrote novels and poetry. Her career as a published author began in 1948 and she continued to be published into the 1970s. Interest in her poetry was revived in 2014 with the posthumous publication of Bedouin of the London Evening: Collected Poems and Selected Prose. (Read more)
Verena Winifred Holmes – women led business pioneer, leader and advocate for women in engineering, and helped establish the Women’s Engineering Society
Verena Winifred Holmes was one of the founders of a Gillingham engineering firm that employed only women. She was a strong advocate for women in engineering and helped establish the Women’s Engineering Society in 1919. During World War Two she worked on naval weaponry and became an advisor on the training of munitions workers. (Read more)
Sarah Forbes Bonetta – ward and goddaughter of Queen Victoria
Sarah Forbes Bonetta was born a Yoruba princess in Nigeria in 1843. Captured as a child, she was gifted to a British naval captain and taken to England. Queen Victoria took her under her wing, making Sarah her ward and goddaughter, and by the time she reached adulthood she had taken her place in Victorian high society and become a celebrity – as well as part of the contemporary debate about race, slavery and empire. The significance of Sarah’s residency in Gillingham is forward thinking and inspirational – a true leader taking charge of her own life and blazing a trail for others. (Read more)
Dame Kathleen D’Olier Courtney – one of the founders of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and Suffragette
Dame Kathleen D’Olier Courtney was one of the founders of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and chair of the British section for ten years. She was a strong voice in the suffrage movement before and after the Great War and was granted the UN peace medal in 1972. (Read more)
Eileen Tirzah Garwood – artist
Eileen Tirzah Garwood was a talented artist who worked with wood engravings and was awarded commissions such as illustrations for the composer Neville Bantock’s oratorio The Pilgrim’s Progress. She also designed book covers. She went on to create collages and models and produced paintings in oils. Her husband was the artist Eric Ravilious. (Read more)
Dr Lorna Wing – the Society for Autistic Children
Dr Lorna Wing worked tirelessly to develop educational programmes that catered for autistic children. She helped establish the Society for Autistic Children – the first parent-led organisation for children that later went on to become the National Autistic Society. (Read more)
We are proud of these women of Gillingham, and hope that you enjoyed reading about and learning more about the lives and achievements of such great women, all of whom have a local connection. As a community, we should pay homage to their legacy by celebrating them and their life stories, whilst endeavouring to be as inspirational as them in our own lives 👏 🙌. It has been our pleasure to highlight and share more information about them, especially if you were not aware of them before reading this.
Thank you to each and every one of our wonderful and inspiring Six Women of Gillingham.
Click here to visit the town of our 6 Inspiring Women of Gillingham
Looking for an accommodation experience that goes beyond the ordinary?
At Address Apartments, we specialise in creating stays that are as relaxing as they are memorable. With beautifully furnished spaces, flexible booking options, and a team that’s dedicated to making your experience exceptional, we’ve got everything you need to enjoy your visit. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a group, or on business, we’re here to make your stay unforgettable. Book today and see why so many guests choose Address Apartments.
Sources: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-04-21/portraits-of-six-inspirational-women
