Inspirational 'Essex girls' for International Women's Day
On March, 8, we celebrate some of the county's most famous former female residents
From stars of the stage and screen to best-selling authors and medal-winning athletes, Essex is proud to have raised them all
Famous for jam, TOWIE and the world's longest Pier, the county of Essex has also been home to some pretty amazing women.
A popular spot for modern-day celebrities to see and be seen in, Essex has a high pedigree when it comes to women who have cut a swathe through the world of sports, cinema and entertainment decades before them.
To celebrate International Women's Day, we are taking a quick looking at eight of the most influential and highly revered women that were born or raised in our favourite county.
Helen Mirren DBE
The award-winning actress and national treasure may have been born in London, but Helen Mirren spent her formative years growing up in Leigh-on-Sea. Despite enjoying a glittering career that has seen her conquer the world of Hollywood and beyond, the actress still considers herself to be very much an Essex girl at heart.
Having launched her career in the 1980 British gangster film The Long Good Friday, Helen has gone on to appear in a host of critically acclaimed film and television productions, as well as a fair few blockbusters that have made her famous the world over.
Charlotte Rampling
Born on the Essex/Suffolk border, Charlotte Rampling OBE is a highly renowned English actress, an icon of the swinging sixties and a former fashion model and muse.
Spotted by a model agent while walking the streets of London during her teens, Charlotte went on to become not only one of the most recognisable faces of a decade, but also a highly successful actress with a penchant for British and continental arthouse cinema.
Victoria Beckham
From Spice Girl to global fashionista, Victoria always dreamed of making it big since she was a young school girl in Harlow.
The mum-of-four is not only famous for being part of one the world's biggest girl bands, and a highly successful and celebrated designer, she is also a proud member of the Essex celebrity alumni.
Although Victoria and her family are now based on both sides of the Atlantic, the Beckhams were once the proud owners of 'Beckingham Palace', an £11.5 million country pile located just outside Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, close to the Essex border.
Alice Kinsella
The county of Essex isn't just the birthplace of some of the biggest names of stage and screen; it also scores pretty highly when it comes to professional sports women too.
Born and bred in Basildon, Alice Kinsella perfected her skills as a gymnast to become part of the Team GB women’s artistic team that took third place in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Martina Cole
The best-selling crime writer and occasional television presenter spent her early years growing up in the south Essex town of Aveley. Now one of the UK's most prolific crime writers, she has written 22 novels so far in her illustrious career, of which over a dozen have been number one bestsellers.
Often set in the murky environs of London's gangland, at least three of her novels have been adapted into highly successful TV drama series.
Fatima Whitbread MBE
Fatima Whitbread was one of the UK's best-loved athletes during the 1980s and is still held in high regard. The two-time Olympic medallist has ties to Brentwood, Essex, and while she may have retired from the track some years ago, she is still an active member of the local community and supports a range of national charities.
At her prime, she collected medals at both the European and World championships, and her skill and determination ensured that she remains one of only two women in history to have thrown the javelin (old model) over 75 metres.
Dame Maggie Smith CH DBE
A true national treasure, Dame Maggie Smith has been a shining light on stage and screen since the 1950s. Born in Ilford in 1934, the now London borough fell very much under the umbrella of Essex at the time of her birth.
Known for her quick wit and poignancy, Maggie is one of the few actresses to receive an Academy Award, a Tony Award and an Emmy. With her quintessentially British demeanour and impressive credentials, she can be seen in a wide variety of stage shows, television dramas and box office blockbusters alike.
Sally Gunnell OBE DL
As the only British woman to hold four track titles, Sally Gunnell was the Essex girl that captured the hearts of a nation. Having grown up on a farm just outside Chigwell, the record-breaking athlete is fiercely proud of her Essex roots.
Often described as the greatest female athlete the UK has ever produced, Sally smashed the competition to win gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships concurrently.
International Women's Day
On International Women's Day we celebrate women from across the globe and commemorate their achievements to inspire the next generation to strive for more.
Much more than just white stilettoes and shopping sprees, our Essex girls continue to make waves that will be felt the world over. Viva, Essex!
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