TfL launches new map with names of trailblazing women for International Women’s Day
By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter
TfL has launched a reimagined version of the Tube map featuring the names of trailblazing women to mark International Women’s Day.
A partnership between TfL and City of Women, the new map sees station names replaced with the names of iconic women from the fields of sports, art, activism, medicine and beyond.
In addition to well-known figures such as Florence Nightingale, Amy Winehouse and Emmeline Pankhurst, the map also invites Londoners to celebrate women from TfL’s history such as Hannah Dadds, the first woman to become a Tube driver, and Jill Viner – the first female London bus driver.
The project is the brainchild of Reni Eddo-Lodge, author of best-selling book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, and actress Emma Watson, who were inspired by a similar project in New York by Rebecca Solnit.
An interactive version of the map developed by University College London is available online, which features biographies and interviews with some of the women who are featured.
Reni Eddo-Lodge said: “As a Londoner, I’ve walked the streets of this city for decades, not conscious of the fact that so many of the city’s place names have a fascinating etymology.
“These iconic places are named after pubs, and parks, gates and members of the monarchy, but I was excited to give the map a feminist refresh.
“Our map switches the focus to women and non-binary people, contemporary and historic, who have made indelible marks on the city’s trajectory.
“I hope it helps you think about your surroundings differently.”
In addition to the reimagined Tube map, TfL has also launched a six-week exhibition at Victoria station featuring portraits of some of the women who work to keep London’s transport network moving.
With the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day being “break the bias”, TfL has said it hopes the exhibition will inspire more women to consider a career in transport.
The poster display will be available to view as passengers move between platforms at Victoria station.
Pictured top: Florence Nightingale going around the wards at Scutari Hospital (image: Wellcome Collection)
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Why not include the link to the original with biographies? It would be a useful addition particularly if your intention is to share this endeavour with your readers.