Purple Plaques

The Purple Plaques (Welsh: Placiau Porffor) scheme in Wales, UK aims to install plaques on buildings to increase recognition of the lives of women who have had a significant and long-lasting impact associated with Wales.

The scheme was initiated by several members of the National Assembly for Wales, led by Julie Morgan, Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North.[1] The purple colour was chosen because of its association with the women's suffrage movement. The scheme was initially organised in partnership with the gender equality charity Chwarae Teg, (Fair Play) and subsequently became an independent charity.[2]

It was launched on 8 March 2017 (International Women's Day) with the aim of installing the first plaque on the Senedd building to commemorate Val Feld. The plaques are glazed purple ceramic with white lettering. Subsequently, one to three plaques have been installed each year.[3]

Criteria for a plaque include that the person must be a deceased woman with strong links to Wales, and that she must have made a remarkable contribution in Wales or beyond. The extent of her impact on women, including as a role model, will also be considered, as well as whether she has already been commemorated.[4][5] In addition to those who are already well known but may not yet be commemorated publicly, the scheme especially aims to recognise women who have previously not been recognised.[2] Practical considerations such as a need for planning permission will also be considered.

Val Feld plaque at The Senedd
  1. ^ Cavill, Nancy (3 July 2021). "The war reporter and her 'retreat' in Wales; Nancy Cavill uncovers the little-known links between an American war correspondent and novelist and Wales - as a Purple Plaque is unveiled in her memory at her former home in Monmouthshire... pages 12 - 14". The Western Mail.
  2. ^ a b "About Purple Plaques". Chwarae Teg. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  3. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (8 March 2017). "Purple plaques bid is launched to mark women's contribution to Welsh life". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Who are Purple Plaques for? Guidelines for proposing a Purple Plaque". Purple plaques. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  5. ^ Rieder, Duncan (27 April 2019). "Chwarae Teg calls for Purple Plaques to honour remarkable women in North Wales for International Day of the Girl". Denbighshire Free Press. Retrieved 3 July 2021.