Public art projects

The stunning bronze statue which is a permanent memorial to the Women of Steel now stands proudly in Barker's Pool in Sheffield City Centre. The statue was unveiled on 17th June 2016 and over 100 surviving Women of Steel came along to the unveiling ceremony and lunch at the City Hall Ballroom.

During both World Wars, thousands of women were conscripted to work in the factories and steel mills to keep them running whilst the men were away fighting.

The women, many of them in their teens and early twenties, took on these roles, which were often dangerous and physically demanding, alongside looking after their families and other duties. At the end of the war these women were simply dismissed from the factories as the men returned and for many years their outstanding effort went unrecognised.

The Women of Steel are an important part of Sheffield's history and an inspiration to young people today.

The statue was created by leading sculptor Martin Jennings who worked closely with a group of Women of Steel to come up with the design.

The funding for the statue was raised through public donations and made possible through the enthusiasm and generosity of local people and businesses.

We have also been able to honour many of the surviving Women of Steel and the families of those no longer with us with a commemorative medallion specially produced by the Sheffield Assay Office. Following a request for applications nearly 800 medallions have been issued.