Explore all the places you remember!

Subscribe

Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Recent Blog Features

Read the 'A Mother's Love' Blog Feature

A Mother's Love

Sentimental photos and quotes honouring 'A Mother's Love' for Mother's Day. (read)

Read the 'Lifeboats - 200 years of the RLNI' Blog Feature

Lifeboats - 200 years of the RLNI

A selection of images from The Francis Frith Collection of lifeboats and the brave men and women who risk their lives to go to the aid of those in danger on the sea. (read)

Read the 'Traditional Welsh costume' Blog Feature

Traditional Welsh costume

Photographs of people in traditional Welsh costume from The Francis Frith Collection. (read)

Read the 'Valentine's Day' Blog Feature

Valentine's Day

Join us in celebrating St Valentine’s Day with this selection of romantic quotes and nostalgic vintage photographs from The Francis Frith Collection. (read)

See All Blog Features

Say Hello!

How to keep in touch with us.

Feisty Women

Published on March 8th, 2023

The 8th March each year marks International Women's Day. We hope you enjoy looking at this evocative selection of historical photographs from The Francis Frith Collection of female characters in past times, accompanied by inspiring quotes from strong women.

Photo: Launceston, Fore Street 1893.


A woman is like a teabag – only in hot water do you realise how strong she is.
Nancy Reagan, First Lady of the USA 1981-1898

Photo: Downderry, Cave Dwellers 1901.


I’m not hard. I’m frightfully soft. But I will not be hounded.
Margaret Thatcher, born 1925, the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain

Photo: Strathpeffer, Highland Girls Wringing The Washing c.1890.


Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.
Janis Joplin, 1943-1970, American singer and songwriter

Photo: Tan-Y-Bwlch, Ffestiniog Railway, Bessie Jones, The Station Mistress 1935.


Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily this is not difficult.
Charlotte Whitton, 1896-1975, Canadian feminist and Mayor of Ottawa

Photo: Shetland, Island Woman Carrying Peat c.1890.


No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the USA 1933-1945

Photo: London, Cheapside, Apple Seller c.1890.


It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.

Oprah Winfrey, born 1954, American TV host and author

Photo: Coldingham, A Scottish Fish Wife And Crofter's Cottage c.1932.


The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.
Roseanne Barr, born 1952, American actress

Photo: Downderry, 1894.


I’m the girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.
Mae West, 1893-1980, American actress and sex symbol

Photo: Aldershot, Couple Playing Chess By The Bathing Pool 1931.


Well behaved women rarely make history.
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, born 1938, American feminist historian

Photo: Staithes, Baiting The Lines c.1900.


If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.

Catherine Aird, born 1930, author

Photo: Caernarfon, A Welsh Tea Party c.1900.


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Marie Curie, 1867-1934, chemist and pioneering physicist in the field of radioactivity

Photo: Tenby, Llangwm Fishwives 1890.


Ladies – disregard your limitations!
The singer K T Tunstall, born 1975, at the Brit Awards of 2006

Photo: Ambleside, Stepping Stones 1888.


This post has the following tags: Archives,Nostalgia.
You may find more posts of interest within those tags.

Subscribe

Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.