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Headscarf Revolutionary Yvonne Blenkinsop given freedom of Hull | Headscarf Revolutionary Yvonne Blenkinsop given freedom of Hull |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman whose part in a trawler safety campaign was estimated to have saved thousands of lives has been given the Honorary Freedom of Hull. | A woman whose part in a trawler safety campaign was estimated to have saved thousands of lives has been given the Honorary Freedom of Hull. |
Yvonne Blenkinsop is the only survivor of the four women, dubbed the Headscarf Revolutionaries, whose fight changed the fishing industry in the 1960s. | Yvonne Blenkinsop is the only survivor of the four women, dubbed the Headscarf Revolutionaries, whose fight changed the fishing industry in the 1960s. |
The other three were Lillian Bilocca, Christine Jensen and Mary Denness. | The other three were Lillian Bilocca, Christine Jensen and Mary Denness. |
Brian W Lavery, author of a book on their fight, said he "couldn't think of a better recipient". | Brian W Lavery, author of a book on their fight, said he "couldn't think of a better recipient". |
Her son Brian Blenkinsop said he was "immensely proud" of his mother who he said was "over the moon" with the award. | |
"At the time women were largely 'seen and not heard' especially in the fishing community," he added. | |
"During the campaign this guy walked up to my mam and smacked her in the face and said in no uncertain terms 'mind your own business'. | |
"What they managed to do in a couple of weeks is amazing." | |
Their had campaign started when 58 fishermen based in the port lost their lives in three separate trawler sinkings in the space of less than a month in 1968. | |
The trawlers - St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland - all sunk in quick succession. Only one man survived. | The trawlers - St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland - all sunk in quick succession. Only one man survived. |
The women collected a 10,000-signature petition calling for reform, led protest meetings and lobbied politicians. | The women collected a 10,000-signature petition calling for reform, led protest meetings and lobbied politicians. |
Among the measures the campaign won were safety checks before vessels left port, radio operators for all ships, improved safety equipment and a "mother ship" with medical facilities for all fleets. | Among the measures the campaign won were safety checks before vessels left port, radio operators for all ships, improved safety equipment and a "mother ship" with medical facilities for all fleets. |
Councillor Peter Allen, the city's lord mayor, said: "Yvonne Blenkinsop's relentless pursuit and demand for improvements in safety legislation has saved thousands of lives." | Councillor Peter Allen, the city's lord mayor, said: "Yvonne Blenkinsop's relentless pursuit and demand for improvements in safety legislation has saved thousands of lives." |
Her "historic contribution" was "remarkable and humbling", he added. | Her "historic contribution" was "remarkable and humbling", he added. |
The council also acknowledged the contributions of all four in recognition of their work. | The council also acknowledged the contributions of all four in recognition of their work. |
Mrs Bilocca died in 1988, Mrs Jensen MBE in 2001 and Mary Denness in 2017. | Mrs Bilocca died in 1988, Mrs Jensen MBE in 2001 and Mary Denness in 2017. |
Mr Lavery said: "It is a tribute to her and Mrs Bilocca, Mrs Jensen and Mrs Denness but such awards can't be posthumous." | Mr Lavery said: "It is a tribute to her and Mrs Bilocca, Mrs Jensen and Mrs Denness but such awards can't be posthumous." |
The author coined the Headscarf Revolutionaries phrase by using it as the title of his book on the sinkings and the safety campaign that ensued. | The author coined the Headscarf Revolutionaries phrase by using it as the title of his book on the sinkings and the safety campaign that ensued. |