This week, around the world, people have been celebrating women! 8th of March was International Women’s Day 2021, and the event brought attention to inspirational women from history as well as current heroines from this century. 

Here are 5 inspirational British women, past and present, who contribute significantly to Britain’s culture and history. 

Jane Austen

Author (1775 – 1817)


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Jane was an author who wrote six significant novels at a time when there were not many female authors. Her most famous novel, now a BBC TV series and full-length film featuring Keira Knightly, is Pride and Prejudice. 

The storylines of Jane’s books were often an important comment on a woman’s role and experience within society and family at that time. 

Why not practice your English skills by watching a screen adaptation of one of her works (with English subtitles) this weekend?

Florence Nightingale

Pioneer of modern nursing (1820 –1910)

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Florence is often thought of as one of the first people (a pioneer) to promote many important methods and standards of modern medicine. During the Crimean War, she led a team of nurses to care for injured soliders. This was a remarkable action for a woman at the time as the conditions in the war hospitals were very dirty and bloody. Once the war was over, she set up a nursing school and many of the principles and procedures that she introduced are still in use today. 

You can visit the Florence Nightingale Museum, near Westminister Bridge to find out more about this inspirational British woman. 

Ada Lovelace

Mathematician (1815 – 1852)

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Ada’s mother thought it was very important for her to learn about maths, science and logic as a child. As a teenager and young woman, her knowledge of mathematics was impressive, and she worked closely with Charles Babbage who invented an ‘Analytical Machine’ which is the basis of the computers we use today. Ada wrote an important article about Babbage’s machine, and because of this some people think she was one of the very first computer programmers., this is why she’s earned a place on our list of inspirational British women.

Ada Lovelace Day is an annual event celebrated on the second Tuesday of October. Its goal is to raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Beatrix Potter

Author (1866 – 1943)

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Beatrix is best known for her children’s books – The Tales of Peter Rabbit. These sweet stories combined her love of animals, nature and story-telling. In total she published thirty books, many of which she illustrated herself with her own watercolour artwork. 

She used the money that she earned to buy farmland, with the goal of keeping the natural beauty of the area safe from building new towns or cities. Now, this farmland is a huge part of the Lake District National Park. We recommend visiting this beautiful area in north west England if you get the chance! 

Beatrix’s books are still loved by many children and adults around the world today. -Why not look for one this week as a way of practicing your reading skills?

The Queen

Monarch (1926 – present)

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Elizabeth Windsor became queen of England in 1952 when her father died. Since then, she has been a remarkable leader of Great Britain, as well as the other countries in the Commonwealth. She regularly meets with the Prime Minister of England, as well as welcoming foreign dignitaries in London, and visiting many countries around the world as Great Britain’s representative. 

She is the longest-serving female head of state in world history, and the world’s oldest living monarch, longest-reigning current monarch, and oldest and longest-serving current head of state. If that doesn’t deserve a spot on our list of inspirational British women, then nothing does!

The Crown is a popular TV series on Netflix at the moment which is loosely based around events from her time as queen. Several Ingla teachers and students recommend this show, if you’d like to watch something different this week!

Match the woman to the correct description.

  1. She enjoyed the countryside and painting. 
  2. She was friends with famous scientists and wrote about their work.
  3. She often has important people over to her house as guests.
  4. She didn’t care about seeing blood or terrible wounds. 
  5. She wrote about what women were expected to do in their homes.
  1. She enjoyed the countryside and painting. Beatrix Potter
  2. She was friends with famous scientists and wrote about their work. Ada Lovelace
  3. She often has important people over to her house as guests. The Queen
  4. She didn’t care about seeing blood or terrible wounds. Florence Nightingale
  5. She wrote about what women were expected to do with their lives. Jane Austen

This is Ingla School of English‘s weekly blog, intended as reading practise for our students in Turnpike Lane, in London, and around the globe. We hope you’ve enjoyed it and take a look at the rest of our writing, much of which has activities for teachers to use in the classroom.

Ingla School of English

We are a welcoming school in north London, convenient to the areas of Haringey, Alexandra Palace, Wood Green and Turnpike Lane. We provide quality English language and exam preparation courses both at the school in London and online.

Ingla School of English is the trading name of English & Skills Training London Ltd

Registered Office: 1 Wellington Terrace | Turnpike Lane | N8 0PX | London | Company Number: 7343266

Accreditations

We are accredited by the British Council, and a recognised centre for TRINITY Exams Preparation. We are also a member of English UK, and certified as a business that is ‘Good to Go’ according to the government and public health standards of Visit England.

Copyright 2023 Ingla School of English. Illustrations were adapted using original designs from Freepik Storyset
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