Headscarf Revolutionaries Statue

Home
United Kingdom
Kingston upon Hull
Headscarf Revolutionaries Statue

Directions Website Contact the organisation

The official page of The Headscarf Revolutionaries Statue Management Committee.

03/11/2026

Powerful words from a remarkable woman. Lillian Bilocca’s unwavering determination to fight for what was right made history and saved countless lives. Her legacy will be a shining reminder of what ordinary people can achieve when they stand together no matter the odds.

02/11/2026

We was hosted by Northumberland Tyne and Wear Community Branch as they wanted us to let them know all about what our four brave lady’s did all them years ago, as a group of people they were so shocked they knew nothing about our Headscarf Revolutionary ladies that now the unite North branch are wanting to help rase money and have already got started on there plans 🙂

01/11/2026

They fought tirelessly for success despite much adversity and opposition. They never followed the paths expected of them. Instead, they carved their own way blazing a trial which inspired others to follow. Almost six decades later, the Headscarf Revolutionaries leave an enduring mark in history.

30/10/2026

Mary Denness was born on Hessle Road, Hull, in 1937, at the heart of the city’s fishing community. She married a trawler skipper, Barry Denness, and raised three children.

In early 1968, tragedy struck Hull. In just two months, three trawlers, the St Romanus, the Kingston Peridot and the Ross Cleveland, were lost, and 58 men never came home.

Mary refused to stay silent. Alongside Lillian Bilocca, Christine Jensen and Yvonne Blenkinsop, she formed the Hessle Road Women’s Committee. The press called them the “headscarf revolutionaries”. They stormed the trawler owners’ offices, stopped ships leaving harbour and gathered over 10,000 signatures in just 10 days for a Fishermen’s Charter.

Prime Minister Harold Wilson granted every demand , and their fight became one of the most successful civil actions of the 20th century.

In 2015, a plaque in her honour was unveiled at Hull Maritime Museum. Mary passed away in 2017. As John Prescott said, “they do not build them like Mrs Mary Denness anymore.”

30/10/2026

Yvonne Blenkinsop was born in Hull on 19 May 1938, the eldest of six children. She knew the cruelty of the sea from a young age, losing her father aboard the trawler Loch Melfort when she was just 16.

In January 1968, the St. Romanus vanished with all 20 men aboard. That very night, Yvonne, aged 30, sat down and wrote 27 safety measures. Days later, the Kingston Peridot was lost with all 20 crew.

On 2 February, she stood before more than 300 women. Hours later, a man struck her in the face, furious that she was “interfering in men’s business”. Three days after that, the Ross Cleveland went down with 18 of her crew.

Yvonne would not be silenced. With Lillian Bilocca, Mary Denness and Christine Jensen, she became one of the “headscarf revolutionaries”. Their petition gathered over 10,000 signatures in just 10 days and was presented to the government.

Every demand was granted . In 2018, Hull gave her the freedom of the city.

She passed away in 2022, aged 83. Hull will never forget her.

27/10/2026

Yvonne Marie Blenkinsop
My heart will always be heavy but I’m blessed to have known you. The times we spent together, our trip to London, my son’s christening, the many events we attended and the hours we spent talking in your bungalow are all precious memories that I treasure. Rest easy my dear friend, you are loved, missed and never forgotten.
- Ian Cuthbert.

25/10/2026

What a great day today. I took my friend Terry from London around the Maritime Museum and the Headscarf Revolutionaries exhibit. While there we met Ian who showed us the tattoo on his arm. Then we had lunch in the cafe where I saw my name on the wall for the first time. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a patron.
- Ian Cuthbert.

Address

Hull
Kingston Upon Hull

Website

http://headscarfrevolutionaries.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Headscarf Revolutionaries Statue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.