Old records mostly wrote about men: lords, councillors and builders. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Haringey that we know about. Can you find out about more?
PW
Priscilla Wakefield
1751–1832
Born in Tottenham
A Quaker author and philanthropist, born into a family in Tottenham in 1751. She promoted schools, maternity hospitals and savings banks for the poor in Tottenham, and wrote about botany and for children.
AD
Alexandra of Denmark
The palace is named after her
Alexandra Palace and its park were renamed to honour her, the new Princess of Wales, who married the future King Edward VII on 10 March 1863.
MF
Mary Forbes
1883–1974
Born in Hornsey
An actress born in Hornsey in 1883. She acted on the London stage and in America, and appeared in more than 130 films from 1919 to 1958.
EF
Eileen Fowler
1906–2000
Born in Tottenham
A physical exercise instructor born in Tottenham in 1906. She was part of the keep-fit craze and had a lasting career on radio and BBC television.
RJ
Rosamund John
1913–1998
Grew up in Tottenham
A film and stage actress, born Nora Jones in 1913 and brought up in Tottenham, where she went to Tottenham high school.
MC
Mary Coombs
1929–2022
Born in Muswell Hill
A computer programmer and teacher, born in Muswell Hill in 1929. In 1952 she became the first woman programmer to work on the LEO computers, and she is recognised as the first female commercial programmer.
LC
Lindsay Cooper
1951–2013
Born in Hornsey
A bassoon and oboe player and composer, born in Hornsey in 1951. She played with the band Henry Cow, co-founded the Feminist Improvising Group and wrote music for film and TV.
A
Adele
born 1988
Born in Tottenham
A singer and songwriter, born in Tottenham on 5 May 1988. Her second album, 21, became the best-selling album of the 21st century, and she has won 16 Grammy Awards.