This weeks Illustrated Women in History was submitted by James Purvis. Nadia Boulanger was a French composer and conductor who amongst her other achievements became the first woman to conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1912. As a child she was sensitive to music, and a story is told of her hearing a fire alarm …
This weeks Illustrated Women in History was submitted by Clare Butler for the Illustrated Women in History exhibition 2017 at Swindon Central Library. Dame Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) was a woman once described as an armoured tank drawing enemy fire. She was a celebrated composer, author, musician, enthusiastic golfer, and, in her own words, a ‘militant …
This weeks Illustrated Woman in History was illustrated by Jabe Nicholls @xeros-junkyard , who explains her choice below. “I chose Poison Ivy from the Cramps as I recently got into their music and as a guitar player I wanted to find out more about her playing but there just wasn’t much around. Turns out none …
This weeks Illustrated Woman in History was illustrated by Zowie Murphy and written by Hollie Peck. Lesley Gore (Lesley Sue Goldstein) May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015 When it comes to girl power, Lesley Gore was way ahead of her time. She was a singer-songwriter, actress, feminist and LGBT activist. She is perhaps best …
Today’s Illustrated Woman in History was illustrated by Rebecca Warren and written by Christie Brewster @spawnartisticdirections. Kate Bush, classic and influential musical artist, is many things to many people. A sophisticated pop composer whose gift for melody, chords and arrangement ranks with the best of her contemporaries. Writer and performer of hits that still stand out on …
Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter who sang blues-influenced rock. She is best known for her number one hit “Me and Bobby McGee” and was known as “The Queen of Psychedelic Soul” and the ”First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Joplin was born in 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas. Joplin had a tough time as …
Dolly Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. She is the most honoured female country performer of all time. Parton was born in 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee. From a young age, she would sing in church and at the age of 7 she …
Delia Derbyshire was an English musician and composer of electronic music. She is best known for her electronic realisation of the theme music for Doctor Who and her pioneering work with the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Derbyshire was born in 1937 in Coventry, England. Her intelligence became apparent at an early age, and by the age …
Lena Horne was an American singer, dancer, actress and civil rights activist. She was one of the most popular African American entertainers of the twentieth century and best known for films such as The Wiz and her trademark song, “Stormy Weather.” Horne was born in 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, Edna, was an …
Miriam Makeba was a South African singer and civil rights activist also known as “Mama Africa” and the “Empress of African Song”. She introduced Xhosa and Zulu songs to Western audiences, becoming one of the world’s most prominent black African performers in the 20th century. She is best known for the songs “Pata Pata,” “The …