Mosse launches inspirational women campaign

Bestselling author Kate Mosse has launched a campaign to remember and celebrate inspirational women throughout history, gaining support from a host of readers and star names.

The Women's Prize for Fiction co-founder began her #WomanInHistory campaign during the publication week for her new novel, The City of Tears (Mantle). At a FANE event on 20th January she was joined by Jojo Moyes and guests including Bernardine Evaristo, Ken Follett, Lee Child, Bettany Hughes and Paula Hawkins, who spoke about the women in history they most wanted to champion or who they thought should be better known.

Mosse has now launched a global public campaign on her social media channels and garnered “overwhelming” support from thousands of readers and high-profile figures including Courttia Newland, Kim Cattrall, Martina Navratilova, Lorraine Kelly and Richard Osman.

Organisations such as Women of the World, the Allbright Club, the Women's Prize for Fiction, On This Day She, Books That Matter, the English Chamber Orchestra and The Pigeonhole are also getting involved.

Mosse said: "In my research for my fiction, I've been constantly reminded how easily women's achievements disappear or are left out of the official history books, which is what inspired this campaign. I've been blown away by everyone's enthusiasm and the huge numbers who've already engaged. Within the first few days of launching, we've had thousands of nominations from all over the world— including Russia, Poland, Syria, Iran, Canada, France, Spain, Ireland, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, the UK and Germany—and women from the distant past, the middle and recent past, as well as those making history today.

"It's a testament to how eager we are to honour exceptional, brilliant women from all periods of history, and from all corners of the world — particularly those whose names are less celebrated than they should be or whose achievements have been overshadowed or misattributed — as well as acknowledging that we walk in their footsteps. The #womaninhistory campaign is part of a broader movement to put women's names and stories centre stage and I think it's think it's a positive sign of how, in these rather grim times, we want to celebrate courage, sisterhood, diversity and inclusivity and show gratitude to those who have come before us.”

The full “gallery of stars” will be announced on International Women’s Day, 8th March, via the Pan Macmillan website, accompanied by a series of media interviews with Mosse. Discussions are also being held for television and book rights.

Readers can nominate the woman in history who most inspires them or who they think should be better known, by posting on twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #WomanInHistory or emailing womaninhistory2021@gmail.com.