Plaque for Baroness Eirene White unveiled at Flint Town Hall

The Purple Plaques campaign has been created to improve the recognition of remarkable women in Wales.

It aims to award those women with a plaque to commemorate their achievements and cement their legacy in Welsh history.

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One of the latest women to receive one in her honour is the late Baroness Eirene White, who died aged 90 in 1999.

On 10 June 2022, a purple plaque was unveiled at Flint Town Hall for the former journalist and politician. 

This was to recognise the fact that she was one of the first three women to represent Wales in the UK Parliament, and indeed Wales's only female MP for ten years.

Born in Belfast, Baroness White first stood in the 1945 general election in Flintshire but without success.

She was the elected a member of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee in the women's section in 1947.

She was later elected Labour MP for East Flintshire in 1950, becoming one of the first female MPs in Wales and remained in that role until 1970.

PIC: Jack Sargeant MS and Hannah Blythyn MS with the plaque for Baroness White at Flint Town Hall.

Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn and Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant were on hand to witness the plaque unveiling.

Mr Sargeant said: "It was great to attend the unveiling of a purple plaque for Baroness Eirene White.

"Eirene was one the first women MP's elected in Wales and served our local area for 20 years as a passionate champion of Labour values."

Hannah Blythyn MS added: "It was a privilege to be part of the unveiling of a Purple Plaque at Flint Town Hall in recognition of the contribution of former East Flintshire MP, Eirene White to our communities and our country.

"Eirene paved the way for people like me and, whilst our paths never crossed, I grew up hearing warm recollections of a remarkable woman and I am very pleased to have nominated her for a Purple Plaque."