Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre calls on people to help celebrate local inspirational women

From Brenda Fisher to Muriel Baker, Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire is home to many inspirational women both past and present.

Now, Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is asking people to help create and exhibition celebrating their wonderful achievements.

With no previous experience needed, the opportunity is open to young women across the borough who want to help tell the stories of women from our area – both past and present.

Volunteers will get the chance to uncover hidden stories; explore previously unseen items in the museum’s collection and ultimately help produce an amazing exhibition focused on telling the stories of the borough’s women who have left their mark on the world.

For example, Brenda Fisher BEM is best known for her heroics of swimming the channel in record time back in 1951. She made the journey from England to France in just 12 hours and 42 minutes before later swimming in the River Nile and in Lake Ontario. Before her passing in 2022, she was also awarded the British Empire Medal in 2018 and was given British Sportswoman of the Year award in 1956.

Others include the Council’s first ever female leader Muriel Baker who was appointed to the role in 1996 when Humberside Council was dissolved. In 1998 she received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire medal and Freedom of the Borough in 2008 for her decades of public service.

Muriel also has a gallery named in her honour at the Heritage Centre where the final exhibition will be held.

However, the project isn’t just about women from the past, it can also be about those making a difference in today’s world too.

To make sure you’re part of the project, email [email protected] to find out more.

Councillor Bob Callison, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Tourism and Culture, said: “This is a fantastic idea.

“We would be nowhere without the incredible work of women, not just in this borough, but across the world.

“Figures like Muriel and Brenda deserve to have their moment in the spotlight and this is the perfect chance – I can’t wait to see the final exhibition.”