The Saturday List #493 - My top ten female Londoners

To celebrate the success of the Lionesses last Sunday, I thought I'd do a Saturday list of my top ten female Londoners. ALthough I could make a list of singers, I have decided to choose one outstanding female from different walks of life. 

1. Amy Winehouse. Had to start with Amy, the voice of a generation and a much loved customer of Mill Hill Music Complex. As someone who runs a studio and sees hundreds of female singers pass through our doors, it is 100% clear just how influential Amy was and still is. 

2. Elizabeth Taylor. Liz Taylor was born in London to American parents in 1932 and was raised in London until the second World War started. Taylor was a brilliant actress as well as a thoroughly decent human being, championing AIDS causes when it was still very much a taboo subject. She was also very beautiful (with a passing resemblance to my missus to boot!).

3. Kelly Holmes, Olympic medalist was raised in London. A double olympic champion. There are plenty of sports women to consider, but for me Kelly Holmes was a real ground breaker.

4. Dianne Abbott. Again, there are plenty of female politicians born in London. I picked Dianne Abbott for several reasons. She was the first black female MP. I really admire her. I doubt anyone on the planet has had more abuse thrown at her. Sure she makes mis-steps, sometime says silly things, but she has balls and I will always side with the person being bullied. I know few people who seem to attract such abuse. The fact she takes it and carries on is something that those who criticise her should appreciate. 

5. Verity Lambert. Lambert was a film and TV producer. Her work included Budgie, Rock Follies,  The Naked Civil Servant and Minder. This was at a time when women didn't do such things. I met her a couple of time, as she was a mate of my cousin, film director Midge McKenzie.  Midge once told me that if I ever had daughters, make sure they were aware of the work of Verity Lambert, who was a shining example to everyone.

6. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917) Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was a pioneering physician and political campaigner. She was the first Englishwoman to qualify as a doctor. Female physicians were unheard of in 19th century Britain and her attempts to study at a number of medical schools were denied. In 1865 she passed the Society of Apothecaries examinations and gained a certificate which enabled her to become a doctor. The society then changed its rules to prevent other women entering the profession this way. How could I not include her! I used to walk past the hospital she founded on the way to work.

7.  Elizabeth Webber-Harris. The only woman ever to receive a Victoria Cross. Sadly, the ridiculous conventions of the day, meant that it was not an official VC, it was a replica for ceremonial purposes. I am amazed that there has never been a campaign to upgrade it to the full VC. It was presented with the full blessing Queen Victoria herself. 

8. Pauline Boty. I've written before about Boty, my favourite female artist. Sadly largely forgotten, one day I will write a song and make a video about her. To my delight, a TV documentary was shown about her last year.

9. Emmeline Pankhurst. Although born in Manchester, she is an adopted Londoner, and is buried in the City. The leader of the Suffragette movement, who got women the vote. How could I not include her

10. Poly Styrene. Rules are made to be broken. I know I said one person from each category. For me though, Poly Styrene was too important to ignore. I doubt Poly would have become a Pop star at any other time except during the punk movement. Poly made no concessions to the industry. Her songs were about subjects that most people never even thought of writing songs about. Even more important though was her anti fashion stance. She was very female but not in a sexualised way.  I think Poly probably inspired more people to be themselves than anyone.

And finally. I will finish on a personal level,  with Connie Abbe, former singer of The False Dots. You may not have heard of her, but if there was any justice in the world, she'd be a superstar. A brilliant singer and a  joy to work with.