In seeking more women for London’s blue plaques, English Heritage is misunderstanding many women’s heritage (More women needed on London blue plaques, says English Heritage, 26 May). Way back in 1978 I wanted to study art. My father pointed out that there were no famous female artists. I used my degree dissertation to explore why.
We women were taught to take up little space, speak with quiet voices, clear away after ourselves and, above all, be modest. Our creativity and innovations were consequently small, easily packed away or disposed of. Our credit was shared, anonymous, gifted to, or stolen by others. In the rare case that a female artist or innovator emerged, there was always a self-effacing partner doing the childcare, cooking, organising and ego-stroking that individual success requires.
