Muriel Matters was an Australian born suffragette who died in Hastings in Hastings in 1969, aged 92. She was organiser of the first 'Votes for Women' caravan that toured the south east counties of England and once chained herself to a grille in a House of Commons gallery.Muriel Matters was an Australian born suffragette who died in Hastings in Hastings in 1969, aged 92. She was organiser of the first 'Votes for Women' caravan that toured the south east counties of England and once chained herself to a grille in a House of Commons gallery.
Muriel Matters was an Australian born suffragette who died in Hastings in Hastings in 1969, aged 92. She was organiser of the first 'Votes for Women' caravan that toured the south east counties of England and once chained herself to a grille in a House of Commons gallery.

Womens Day: 11 famous Hastings women

By Andy Hemsley
Published 8th Mar 2023, 12:03 BST
Updated 8th Mar 2023, 14:00 BST
Today is International Womens Day and Hastings has had its share of influential woman ranging from explorers and political protestors to writers and a punk rock icon.

These women made a real impact, often on an international scale, and their memories and legacies live on in buildings named after them, their music, and the books they left behind. One even features as a large painting on the outside of a popular Hastings pub.

Have you read? View dramatic pictures of the West Hill Lift as you have never seen it before

Have you read? Flood hit Hastings town centre shop re-opens

Have you read? Flood hit Hastings town centre shop re-opens

Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake (1840 – 1912) was an English physician, teacher and feminist who led the campaign to secure women access to a University education and was involved in founding two medical schools for women. She was born in Hastings and died in Rotherfield.

9. Sophia Jex-Blake

Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake (1840 – 1912) was an English physician, teacher and feminist who led the campaign to secure women access to a University education and was involved in founding two medical schools for women. She was born in Hastings and died in Rotherfield. Photo: supplied

Barbara Flynn is an actress who first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War. She was born in St Leonards She has starred in a number of television shows and films, such as Miss Potter, The Durrells and Elizabeth I. (Photo by Miles Willis/Getty Images)

10. Barbara Flynn

Barbara Flynn is an actress who first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War. She was born in St Leonards She has starred in a number of television shows and films, such as Miss Potter, The Durrells and Elizabeth I. (Photo by Miles Willis/Getty Images) Photo: supplied

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was the first woman in the world to qualify as a doctor. She lived in Hastings from 1879 until her death and worked at a practice in the town.

11. Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was the first woman in the world to qualify as a doctor. She lived in Hastings from 1879 until her death and worked at a practice in the town. Photo: supplied

Previous
3 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:Hastings