A new mural celebrating trailblazing women is due to be unveiled in Felixstowe! ‘Leading the Way’ features Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Edith Maud Cook, Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst and was painted by artist Catalina Carvajal. Millicent Fawcett will be added soon to complete the mural.

The work was commissioned by WAMFest – Women in Arts and Music - to remember these significant women and their contribution to society. Suffolk-based Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon, while Edith Maud Cook was a pioneering aviator and parachutist. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia and Millicent Fawcett were suffragettes and worked tirelessly for women’s rights, and particularly the right to vote. 

Laura Locke who organises the Felixstowe-centric WAMFest said the mural celebrates the power and creativity of women:

“We are thrilled with the mural; it is a fabulous piece of work by Catalina and applauds the achievements of women in history who have helped shape the world we live in today. We owe them so much and I am pleased that their names will be remembered. 

"Catalina has been working on the project for some months – weather permitting – and I know there has been a great deal of interest in what it will be, and I think it has been worth the wait. The caption reads ‘deeds not words’ and that is what we try to achieve with WAMFest, giving women and girls of all ages the opportunity to shine.”

The colourful mural, which can be seen at Great Eastern Square, was created with the support of local councillors Mike Deacon and Steve Wiles. 

WAMFest will return in October with a mixture of live performances, literature, and art. To keep up to date please follow us on Facebook or visit the website www.wamfestfelixstowe.art.