Grimsby's Inspirational Women

As part of International Women’s Month, the exhibition honours the stories of women who have made a lasting difference in the community

Brenda Fisher - won the English Channel swim race in 1951 at the age of 23 and in doing so broke the World Record for the fastest woman to swim the Channel - completing the swim in 12 hours and 42 minutes. She went on to swim more extremely challenging long-distance swims including the Channel again.

Author: Charlotte LinnecarPublished 2nd Mar 2025
Last updated 2nd Mar 2025

The Grimsby woman who broke the World Record for swimming the English Channel is one of many inspirational stories to be retold at an exhibition celebrating local women.

Brenda Fisher put the area on the map when she swam the channel in 12 hours, 42 minutes – becoming the fastest woman to do so back in 1951.

Brenda was the younger sister of Jessie Fisher, another record breaker swimmer – she was the first woman to swim the River Humber - swimming from Spurn Point to Cleethorpes in 1938.

Brenda also trained fellow long-distance swimmer Joyce Finch, who swam along the East Coast, from Haile Sands Haven to Cleethorpes' Bathing Pool.

Fisher’s story will now feature at a free exhibition spanning the last 150 years, starting at Grimsby Library in March as part of Women’s History Month.

‘Our Inspirational Women’ will also feature Margaret Larmour – first female Mayor of Grimsby, as well as Sandra Bland - half of the first husband and wife fishing team out of Grimsby.

The first leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Muriel Barker is another well-known name set to feature, alongside many others.

Anna Murphy works with the Local History Collection at Grimsby Library. Anna said:

“This a great opportunity to shine a light on these inspirational women, unearthing and telling their courageous stories. The women have shaped history and put the area on the map in doing so – let’s celebrate their achievements!”

The exhibition will draw on the huge breadth of the Local History Collection at Grimsby Library and North East Lincolnshire Archives, including photographs and newspaper excerpts.

Members of the public can browse free of charge during branch opening times at:

• Grimsby Library from March 1 to 29

• Cleethorpes Library from April 5 to 28

• Waltham Library from May 2 to 31 For more information visit www.lincsinspire.com, follow Grimsby Local History Library on Facebook or call Grimsby Library on (01472) 323603.

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