Soroptimists in Sunderland Honour Forgotten Wearside Women
Dr Ron Lawson, a Sunderland born artist, has been commissioned by the city’s Soroptimists, with the support of Sunderland City Council and Apextra CIC, to create a sculpture that would represent a lasting legacy for the Wearside women who – as part of a herculean wartime effort that saw shipyards producing military vessels that were vital to the British armed forces – made their way to the banks of the Wear to do their bit.
It was the vision of Soroptimist International Sunderland to deliver a fitting reminder for women shipyard workers, a tribute that will also mark 85 years of the Soroptimists in Sunderland. The club originally appointed an artist in 2019 but after setbacks, including Covid, went on to commission Dr Lawson to take the work forward.
After decades of being the forgotten force behind Sunderland’s WWII shipbuilding efforts, a new sculpture named Molly depicts a life size female shipyard worker. Made from forged and welded Corten self-weathering steel, the artwork – which is designed to look life-like – celebrates the 700 women who were among the workers who pushed through harsh conditions on the banks of the Wear during the war, often with partners fighting overseas and families to feed at home, to support their nation.
Suzanne Brown, who has been a member of the Soroptimists for more than 35 years, was left so inspired by local author Nancy Revell’s popular series of books, Shipyard Girls – which tell the story of women shipyard workers during WWII – that she set out to create a tribute that would also act as a celebration of the Soroptimists in Sunderland. She discussed it with the Soroptimists club members, before engaging with the council to set the wheels in motion and ensure the vision could become a reality.
“These were women undertaking jobs like welding, riveting, burning and rivet catching, as well as general labouring, operating cranes, and painting. It was perilous work. Yet, history seems to have forgotten them. We really felt that these women deserve something – a permanent tribute – to honour their bravery and hard work. We wanted to acknowledge the courage and dedication of the shipyard women, as well as to celebrate the Soroptimists, which has done so much to champion women and girls in this city.
Molly has a back story based on a real woman, Doris Hope, who worked in the yards during the war. The statue will stand on the riverside walkway at St Peter’s, looking directly across to the Port of Sunderland, on the site of a former shipyard. It is a popular walking and cycling route, meaning many thousands of people will be inspired by the shipyard women every year.
The statue is due to be unveiled in early 2025.