Wales’ third Purple Plaque unveiled at International Day of the Girl ceremony

30th August 2019

Wales saw the unveiling of its third ‘Purple Plaque’ to mark the achievements of remarkable Welsh women on October 11, the International Day of the Girl.

The plaque honours Wales’ first female MP, Megan Lloyd George, with a plaque at her family’s one-time home in Criccieth, on the Llyn Peninsula.

Megan Lloyd George became the first female MP for a Welsh constituency, Anglesey, from 1929-1951 and later Carmarthen from 1957-1966. Throughout this time she championed women in significant ways.

During her maiden speech she spoke about rural housing and the impact that poor housing was having on women on Anglesey, such as the higher death rate from TB among women compared with men.

She campaigned for equal pay and demanded that the Government did more to give women a responsible role in the war effort.

She was also a member of the National Eisteddfod’s Gorsedd of Bards (1935) and the President of the Parliament for Wales campaign of the early 1950s.

Megan Lloyd George was nominated by Eluned Morgan AM and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in Wales.

I am delighted that Megan Lloyd George is to be commemorated with a Purple Plaque erected in her memory in Cricceith to highlight her incredible story, which many people may otherwise not be aware of.

"Megan led the way for women in politics, becoming the first woman to represent a Welsh seat in the House of Commons. She was a mentor for women MPs of all parties, was the first woman member of the Welsh Church Commissioners and championed Welsh political development.

“She also took the lead in the small band of Lloyd George Liberals in Parliament, speaking regularly on issues such as agriculture, Welsh affairs and, increasingly, the rights of women.
Eluned Morgan
Assembly Member

The Purple Plaques campaign aims to improve the acknowledgement and appreciation of extraordinary women in Wales. They showcase and honour women across Wales who have had a long lasting impact on their communities and have previously gone uncelebrated or missed out from the history books altogether!

"As a gender equality charity, at Chwarae Teg we know that women deserve to be recognised at the same scale as men have been throughout history. There are so many female success stories just waiting to be put in the spotlight and inspire future generations.

"There are an estimated 250 mainly blue plaques commemorating notable figures in Wales, the overwhelming majority highlighting men’s achievements, with only around a dozen female exceptions. Purple Plaques aims to address this inequality and give women a prominent place in history."
Emma Tamplin
Collaboration Partner