Blog | The Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project

The Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project

Earlier this year, the Society teamed up with Dream Time Creative to help deliver their Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project. The Society’s input into the project is to design and erect blue plaques for women identified by the project, to obtain the necessary permissions and consents, and to co-host the unveiling events. However, before we get to the stage of ordering a blue plaque, much detailed research has to be undertaken into the background stories of the women of Wakefield whose contributions are perhaps forgotten or which have never previously been recognised. Dream Time Creative has a small team of dedicated researchers and writers collaborating on this work and also employing creativity to bring these stories to life.

Sarah Leah Cobham, CEO of Dream Time Creative, will explain her motivation for the project and how she and her team undertake their research. The project has already uncovered some truly fascinating facts and helped to deepen our understanding not only of the women whose lives have been explored but also of Wakefield’s own social and political history. Sarah will also provide insights into the plans she has to achieve ‘blue plaque parity’ – bringing the number of the Society’s blue plaques which commemorate women up to match the number we have dedicated to men!

Sarah has 22 years teaching English and Drama in local schools and has run Dream Time Baby Massage Ltd for 21 years. Prior to setting up Dream Time Creative in 2017, she was the writer in residence and creative facilitator at The Well Women Centre. Founder of the Women’s Voices Ring Out Spoken word movement in 2012 and co founder of the Truth Be Told Spoken Word in 2018, Sarah’s vision for empowering and enabling the women of Wakefield through community engagement projects has led to projects being delivered across Wakefield and Five towns. DTC is an Open Awards Centre and delivers qualifications to participants to enable them to go on and empower other women. As the force behind the Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project, Sarah has pledged Blue Plaque parity by 2028 for Wakefield.

Doors Open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Free event. To book your tickets, visit our Eventbrite page here.