A PURPLE plaque has been installed in honour of Amy Dillwyn in the park that bears her name, next to the Swansea Building Society Arena.
Wales’ Purple Plaques campaign recognises remarkable women, commemorates their achievements and cements their legacy in Welsh history.
Born in Sketty in 1845 to the prominent Dillwyn family, Amy wrote six novels on themes including feminism and social reform.
Following her father’s death she personally managed the family’s metalworks in Llansamlet, making her one of Britain’s first female industrialists.
She was also a social campaigner and benefactor, advocating for women’s rights. She died in 1935 aged 90.
The plaque was unveiled on Friday (March 7) to mark International Women’s Day (March 8) – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
It can be seen on an outside wall of bar restaurant The Green Room in the Amy Dillwyn Park that helps link Swansea city centre with the bay’s spectacular coastline.
The popular park was created three years ago in a location – much changed over the decades – that Amy would have been familiar with.
Next to her plaque is a QR code that links to details about Amy Dillwyn on the History Points website.
The unveiling included a performance by Swansea-based Lighthouse Theatre and a reading by Professor Kirsti Bohata, an English literature academic at Swansea University.
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Amy Dillwyn is one of the most trailblazing and inspiring women in Swansea’s history.
“It’s fitting that this plaque has been unveiled in time for International Women’s Day.
“Amy was a member of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies and her campaigning work with many other courageous women led to women being granted the right to vote, which is something that should never be forgotten.
“She was a gifted novelist and an astute, successful businesswoman at a time when Swansea was at the heart of the world’s copper smelting industry.”
Sue Essex, chair of Purple Plaque Wales, said: “Our Purple Plaques are for truly remarkable women and Amy Dillwyn certainly fits the brief.
“She was a feminist before the word was even coined.
“Amy went from being a debutante presented at Queen Victoria’s court aged 17 to turning around her father’s failing zinc-smelting firm in Swansea in mid-life.
“She was one of the first, and few, women industrialists of the 19th century, she was a novelist and social campaigner.
“She truly deserves her place in history which we are very proud to see marked by a Purple Plaque in her home city.”
Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “Installing this plaque in the park already named in her honour ensures a long-term legacy for Amy Dillwyn’s life and considerable accomplishments.
“Celebrating the achievements of Amy Dillwyn is a fitting way to recognise the huge contribution she made to our city.”
The Purple Plaques group of volunteers launched their campaign on International Women’s Day 2017.
The initiative shines a light on the achievements of the many remarkable women who’ve made an impact in Wales and beyond – many of whom have previously gone uncelebrated or been left out of the history books entirely.
Swansea Council has a naming policy that sets out the circumstances in which council buildings, facilities and public spaces can be named to celebrate or commemorate local people for their outstanding achievements, and to reflect significant events in the history and heritage of Swansea.
Nominations can be made by members of the public, groups or organisations and any final decision on proposals must be agreed at a meeting of full council.
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