Inspirational women of Leeds Beckett celebrated in new sculpture

Their names appear on Ribbons, a dynamic public art installation designed by acclaimed artist Pippa Hale, which has just been unveiled. The sculpture features five metal ribbons inscribed with the names of 384 notable women selected by the public, 38 of whom have direct connections to Leeds Beckett University. This profound inclusion underscores the vital role that Leeds Beckett’s academics, graduates, students and honorary graduates play in shaping the social, cultural and intellectual landscape of Leeds.

Among the remarkable women recognised in the sculpture are Leeds Becket academics Professor Emily Zobel Marshall and Professor Rachel Julian, as well as recent honorary graduates Melanie Brown (Mel B), world-class footballer Lucy Bronze and acclaimed playwright Frances Brody.

Professor Zobel Marshall, a lecturer in Postcolonial Literature in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, shared her pride in being featured: "I'm thrilled and humbled to have my name included alongside such inspirational women on Pippa Hale's beautiful and groundbreaking sculpture. I see the installation as a real commitment by Leeds City Council to help change the face of public art in our city to reflect its diversity. Ribbons feels perfectly paired with the new city centre sculpture Yinka Shonibare's Hibiscus Rising, a commemoration to the Nigerian migrant David Oluwale who was hounded to death by two police officers in 1969. It shows us that public art can be used to commemorate and celebrate the lives of people in profound ways who have often been excluded from the official historical narrative."

The presence of so many women from Leeds Beckett University among the names etched into Ribbons echoes the impact the institution has on the city. From trailblazing graduates and honorary awardees like Dame Sarah Storey and Gabby Logan, to pioneering educators like Dr Rachel Julian, Leeds Beckett continues to inspire future generations through the accomplishments of its community. These women, through their leadership and innovation, have contributed significantly to the city’s development in fields such as education, arts, sports, public service and activism.

Ribbons can be found in Leeds City Centre at the top of the gardens between Leeds City College's Quarry Hill campus and Leeds Playhouse at the gateway to the SOYO development.

The inspirational women of Leeds Beckett are: Ivy Benson, Lady Jill Black, Lilian Black OBE, Maura Blakeborough, Frances Brody, Lucy Bronze MBE, Melanie Brown MBE, Dee Caffari MBE, Baroness Nicky Chapman, Lizzie Coombes, Kadeena Cox OBE, Anna Crowle, Liz Dawn MBE, Michelle de Souza, Rachael Dixie, Lois Forsell, Sally-Anne Greenfield, Jan Holdstock, Jean Hollings, Dr Rachel Julian, Jude Kelly CBE, Gabby Logan MBE, Edna Lumb, Kay Mellor OBE, Susan Price CBE, Nahid Rasool, Gertie Roche, Natasha Sayce-Zelem, Emily Scarratt MBE, Nadine Senior MBE, Nicola Sheehan, Dame Sarah Storey, Antonia Stowe, Jane Tomlinson CBE, Ella Usher, Dame Fanny Waterman DBE, Sharon Watson MBE, Laura Wellington, Jude Woods and Professor Emily Zobel Marshall.

Ribbons is comprised of five corten steel ribbons each carrying the names of nominated Leeds women. As they rise up out of the ground, they become intertwined, tied together over space and time in a celebration of womanhood that is embedded into the fabric of the city. The structure appears to swirl and flutter, creating flowing patterns that dance and contrast with the crisp geometry of the surrounding buildings at Quarry Hill.

The project is supported by LeedsBID, Caddick Developments, Leeds Civic Trust, the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, the Henry Moore Foundation and the Leeds Playhouse.