Female engineers from Crewe design plinth to honour women's activist
Ada's plaque was unveiled by the mayor of Crewe, Sally Graham, on 30 June to a crowd which included members of the A Statue for Ada group and the activist's relatives.Her great-great-nephew, Frank Nield, described the plaque and plinth as 'brilliant' and was pleased Crewe Town Council had chosen to involve local female students."I was very impressed with it," he beamed, "The kids designed it wonderfully well.""Talking to the Crewe residents, they want people to feel greater pride in their town," he added.The students spoke passionately about Ada's story and their ambitions to enter a male-dominated industry."Around Crewe, a lot of males are remembered," noted engineering student Olivia Snmit, 17."A lot of streets and buildings are named after them, whereas you don't really see that for the women who made history in Crewe."Crewe Town Council say they will continue to support the A Statue for Ada group and plan to celebrate more influential females with their Crewe in 50 Women campaign.
Ada left Compton's after being unmasked and went on to join the Independent Labour Party, as well as actively supporting the women's suffrage movement.Will Chitty, Principal at Crewe Engineering and Design UTC said: "It is wonderful that the students will be able to lay claim to an important landmark in our town for years to come. "I am so proud that the collaboration between Crewe UTC, the Town Council and Area Welding has produced such a fitting monument to an incredible woman."
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