Old records mostly wrote about men: lords, priests and railway builders. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Brent that we know about. Can you find out about more?
AC
Anne and Frances Copland
Gave land for a church
In 1843 the sisters inherited Sudbury Lodge and its lands. They gave a plot for a church to serve the southern part of Harrow parish. Wembley's parish was later made from part of that old parish.
MN
Mabel Nicholas
1866–1958
Born here
Born in Kilburn in 1866. She became an Anglican Sister, Sister Rosalie, and was a founder and principal of Perth College for girls.
NC
Nellie Cressall
1882–1973
Born here
Born in Park Road, Willesden, in 1882 (she is often said to have been born in Stepney). She became a suffragette and labour activist in London's East End.
DH
Dorothy Holman
1883–1968
Born here
Born in Kilburn. A tennis player, she won three world championship titles and two silver medals at the 1920 Olympics, in singles and doubles.
VW
Violet Webb
1915–1999
Born here
Born in Willesden. In 1932 she went to the Olympics in Los Angeles as one of Britain's first women Olympians in athletics, and she competed again in 1936.
GS
Gillian Sheen
1928–2021
Born here
Born in Willesden in 1928. A fencer, she won the gold medal in the women's individual foil at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
K
Kanya King
1969–2026
Born here
Born in Kilburn in 1969. In 1996 she founded the MOBO Awards, which honour achievements in 'music of Black origin'.
IR
Indhu Rubasingham
Ran the theatre
In 2012 she took over from Nicolas Kent as artistic director of the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, renamed the Kiln in 2018. In 2024 she left, having been appointed director of the Royal National Theatre.