Female activists 'occupy' Ruby Road in Walthamstow to raise awareness about their causes

An exhibition featuring photos of the women will open in Ruby Road in Walthamstow as part of the E17 Art Trail.

Neighbours have volunteered to host the photos in their front gardens in an effort to attract the attention of passersby.

Curator of the exhibition Esther Freeman said: “We want to reach people who wouldn’t normally attend an exhibition in a community centre.

Carole Vincent, who protested against an M11 link road, is featured in the exhibition.

“We hope that they will be inspired by it when they are walking along the street.

“There’s so much going on politically at the moment and we want people especially young people and women to realise they are not powerless. They can do great things and change the world.

“Most of the women in the exhibition are very ordinary women. They come from normal backgrounds. If they can make a difference then so can anyone.”

Anti-female genital mutilation campaigner Hibo Wardere and Emmeline May, founder of Walthamstow Women Taking Back the Streets are among those featured in the exhibition.

Anti-female genital mutilation campaigner Hibo Wardere is featured in the exhibition.

Nancy Taaffe, 48, of Wood Street whose picture is on display as part of the exhibition describes herself as a “socialist-feminist”.

She said: “I am flattered to be featured in the exhibition.

“I have lived in Walthamstow for over 30 years and have been involved in many struggles against cuts, privatisation and the deterioration of environmental and working conditions.

“I protested the privatisation of school dinners in the area in 2005 and it was successful.

“Some issues are seen as women-only issues but they are men’s issues as well.

“I campaign for the unity of races and sexes.”

Founder of Walthamstow Women Taking Back the Streets Emmeline May is featured in the exhibition.

Ms Taaffe was also involved in the protests against the forced eviction of tenants in Butterfields Estate in Walthamstow last year.

The exhibition featuring 16 women was funded by a grant from the National Lottery Fund.

It is part of a wider project to explore the history of women-led activism in east London.

Last year the organisers launched an app which takes users on a walking tour around Waltham Forest, Hackney and Tower Hamlets exploring the history of the causes.

To download the app for free go to www.herfootsteps.org.uk.

Ms Freeman added: “Women have been innovators and pioneers in social action, yet they rarely get the credit.

“We're delighted so many residents on Ruby Road have come forward to help host this exhibition and bring attention to these incredible women.”

The unveiling will take place on Thursday June 1 and it will run until Sunday June 18.