Halifax, West Yorkshire – In a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, family members and supporters, Halifax Civic Trust, in partnership with Calderdale Industrial Museum Association, unveiled a commemorative blue plaque to Laura Annie Willson MBE at Elmwood Street, the place of her birth.
The event was held in the presence of The Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Steven Leigh MBE, who performed the unveiling. Councillor Leigh shared his personal admiration for Laura Annie Willson’s life, saying that prior to the invitation, he had not heard of her—but had since been deeply inspired by her story. “I spent many hours reading about her humble beginnings and how she achieved so much in her life,” he said.
Laura Annie Willson was a truly remarkable woman. From her early days as a mill worker and trade union leader to her courageous activism in the suffragette movement, she consistently broke new ground. During the First World War, she mobilised and supported women in engineering, earning her an MBE for her service. She went on to co-found the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), serving as its President from 1926 to 1928.
After the war, she turned her attention to the housing crisis, building over 800 affordable and high-quality homes, many of which still stand today. She became the first woman to join the National Federation of Housebuilders, setting new standards in women’s leadership and business.
Following the unveiling, guests gathered in the garden of the nearby Big 6 Inn where a series of short tributes celebrated her extraordinary legacy. Speakers included:
- Lynette Willoughby, Past President of WES, who stated:
“Laura was a founder member of WES in 1919, also a founder member of the Electrical Association for Women. A wonderful, feisty woman who I would love to meet – a self-described terror!”
- Henrietta Heald, author of Magnificent Women and their Revolutionary Machines, remarked:
“Laura Annie Willson is a great inspiration to me. She broke all the boundaries of her sex and social class and became a successful businesswoman and housebuilder as well as a great feminist!”
- Joanna Stoddart, granddaughter of Laura Annie, recalled some of the family stories about her Grandma, who died when Joanna was still a toddler. She also expressed her thanks to everybody who had made this commemoration possible.
- Councillor Tim Swift commented:
“I am pleased to see Laura Annie Wilson commemorated. An inspiring role model who campaigned for women’s rights and put her beliefs into practical action.”
- Councillor Danielle Durrans, Lead Member for Public Services and Communities, added:
“Our heritage in Calderdale is very important to us, and blue plaques are a great way of connecting our past with our present. I really am delighted to see a plaque for Laura Annie Willson—an inspiring woman whose work leaves not only a local legacy but one that spans much wider.”
She also highlighted Calderdale Libraries’ ‘History Out Loud’ podcast, which features an episode on Annie’s life:
🎧 From Suffrage to Housebuilding: The Life of Laura Annie Willson
Other speakers included Anne Kirker who, with Tim Kirker and John Pickles, carried out much of the historical research which led to the exhibition of Laura Annie Willson’s life, mounted by the Calderdale Industrial Museum to mark the centenary of women getting the vote, in 1918, and the formation of the Women’s Engineering Society in 1919. Since that exhibition, Huddersfield University have named their Engineering and Computing building the Laura Annie Willson Building, and Calderdale Council have named the new road bridge over the canal at Salterhebble the Laura Annie Wilson Bridge.
Dr Jill Liddington, acclaimed author and historian, concluded by reflecting on Laura Annie’s vital role in the women’s suffrage movement.
📸 A gallery of photographs from the event can be viewed here: (all images expandable)
Pictured with the new blue plaque: L-R are Mayoress Linda and Mayor Stephen Leigh MBE and Chair of Halifax Civic Trust Alan Goodrum.
Halifax Civic Trust award blue plaques as part of a broader initiative to preserve and promote the town’s rich heritage. The scheme was originally launched in the early 1990s, inspired by a similar effort in other towns and supported by Calderdale Council. These days Halifax Civic Trust raise funds through walks, events and memberships to fund the purchase of the distinctive handcrafted metal blue plaques.
Halifax Civic Trust would like to extend sincere thanks to those who contributed to the creation of the blue plaque, including:
- Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC)
- Calderdale Industrial Museum Association (CIMA)
- Joanna & John Stoddart
- Tim & Anne Kirker
- Halifax Civic Trust
Halifax Civic Trust are also very grateful for permission from the owner and householder for their permission to place the plaque on their house.
Plaques are given to celebrate local figures such as diarist Anne Lister, geneticist Oliver Smithies, and novelist Phyllis Bentley; and marking of historic events, like the founding of Halifax Town AFC. Halifax Civic Trust has a green plaques scheme as part of its annual awards for buildings and quality redevelopments in the town.
Blue plaques are chosen and installed in collaboration with local historians, community groups, and sometimes the families or institutions connected to those honoured.
About Halifax Civic Trust
Celebrating, enhancing and safeguarding Halifax’s built and natural environment. Founded in 1962. Registered Charity no. 508817.
An entirely voluntary organisation which aims to improve the quality of Halifax townscape and celebrate, enhance and safeguard the outstanding built and natural environment of the Town – famously described by John Betjeman as a town of hidden beauty. By raising public awareness, carrying out projects to improve the environment, keeping a close eye on heritage at risk, influencing major projects and planning decisions, the aim is to make and keep Halifax as an attractive place to live, work and visit.
There is an annual awards ceremony to recognise outstanding local projects which have included the restoration of the Piece Hall, local community gardens and the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Memorial. You will also see plaques commemorating notable local residents around the town.
Contact Details
For further information or to arrange a photo opportunity please contact:
Mark Fennelly – Publicity and Communications tel. 07787 523 516
Email. mark.halifaxcivictrust@gmail.com
Website: www.halifaxcivictrust.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrustCivic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/241127785949760
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94v8Zd-FS9cz-W9QYJW8oA
Podcasts: https://shows.acast.com/halifax-civic-trust-podcast
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/halifax-civic-trust-49589573013