The Purple Plaques (Welsh: Placiau Porffor) scheme in Wales, UK aims to install plaques on buildings to increase recognition of the lives of women who have had a significant and long-lasting impact associated with Wales.
The scheme was initiated by several members of the National Assembly for Wales, led by Julie Morgan, Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North.[1] The purple colour was chosen because of its association with the women's suffrage movement. The scheme was initially organised in partnership with the gender equality charity Chwarae Teg, (Fair Play) and subsequently became an independent charity.[2]
It was launched on 8 March 2017 (International Women's Day) with the aim of installing the first plaque on the Senedd building to commemorate Val Feld. The plaques are glazed purple ceramic with white lettering. Subsequently, one to three plaques have been installed each year.[3]
Criteria for a plaque include that the person must be a deceased woman with strong links to Wales, and that she must have made a remarkable contribution in Wales or beyond. The extent of her impact on women, including as a role model, will also be considered, as well as whether she has already been commemorated.[4][5] In addition to those who are already well known but may not yet be commemorated publicly, the scheme especially aims to recognise women who have previously not been recognised.[2] Practical considerations such as a need for planning permission will also be considered.
Val Feld plaque at The Senedd
Plaques installed
As of September 2024, 18 purple plaques have been installed[6] to mark the following:
Val Feld, installed on Senedd building 2018. One of the architects of devolution for Wales; Director and founder of Shelter Cymru; activist for social and gender equality.[7]
Dinah Williams, installed on a cow byre at her home in Borth, Ceredigion, 2021. Pioneering woman organic farmer and entrepreneur.[11]
Eirene White, Baroness White on Flint Town Hall in June 2022. She was one of the first three women to represent Wales in the UK Parliament, and indeed Wales's only female MP for ten years.[12]
Thora Silverthorne in 2022 in Abertillery; international brigader, trade unionist and nurse.[6]
Frances Hoggan on 3 March 2023 at her birthplace in Brecon; campaigner, social reformer and the first female doctor to be registered in Wales.[13]
Patti Flynn, installed in the Wales Millennium Centre on 24 March 2023 in her home town of Cardiff: singer and black rights activist.[14]
Minnie Pallister, a political activist, peace campaigner, writer and feminist.[21]
References
^Cavill, Nancy (3 July 2021). "The war reporter and her 'retreat' in Wales; Nancy Cavill uncovers the little-known links between an American war correspondent and novelist and Wales - as a Purple Plaque is unveiled in her memory at her former home in Monmouthshire... pages 12 - 14". The Western Mail.
