International Women’s Day – Horsham’s women of history

It’s International Women’s Day! We have dipped into our blog archives to highlight a few of the many women who have made a difference to Horsham down the years.

Miss Louisa Jane Churchman. Her life was dedicated to education and helping others to improve their lot. She was a member of West Sussex County Council in 1934 and a member of several groups and organisations.

In 1923 she became the first woman magistrate to sit on the Horsham bench.

Read more about her in our blog.

Nellie Vesta Laughton. When her husband, Charles Skidmore Laughton died in the 1920s she opened the Garden of Remembrance behind St Mary’s Church in Horsham.

She provided an ambulance for the town, was a J.P. and was the first woman on Horsham Urban District Council.

Read more about her in our blog.

Dr Alice Owen. Horsham’s first woman doctor whose career lasted into her 70s. Originally a teacher in the 1910s, she switched careers and, in 1922, opened her surgery doors for the first time.

As well as helping numerous patients down the years she was also involved in local organisations and clubs.

Read more about her in our blog.

Dorothea Hurst. One of Horsham’s most famous family from the past, she was keen to make her own mark and wrote the first historical account of her home town.

She was also concerned about the welfare of the young and helped set up a school for poor children.

Read more about her in our blog