(1850-1934)
I’m getting to see a lot of great statues and this one happens to be a 5 min walk away from Joan Littlewood. Bonus! Upon finding it though I’m relieved it is part of my London journey taking in a few more sculptures and this isn’t a standalone visit. Sure, Edith deserves credit, but the memorial is a small relief and sadly, London appears to have been built up around leaving it faded and worn. Still, the fact that Edith got recognised at all is quite a feat; and fairly unique as the memorial was created by female sculptor Christine Gregory who was one of the first women elected as a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors.
Edith was a nurse and hospital matron before serving as the first woman on the West Ham council. She is described as an advocate of welfare for women and children and the accompanying carvings picture young children playing on either side. She was even offered the Mayoralty but due to her declining health turned it down. Strangely, she was made honorary freeman in 1936 two years after her death, so you can ponder the ‘free’ and ‘man’ of that as much as you like.
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