THE hunt is on to identify a forgotten suffragette from Southend from a picture thought to have been taken about 100 years ago.

It is part of a project to resurrect the forgotten histories of Essex women.

Researchers at campaign group Snapping the Stiletto believe the photograph is likely to have been taken in Southend, and that the mysterious woman could have possibly been an associate of more high-profile suffragettes.

Snapping the Stiletto was launched this year on International Women’s Day, and intends, with the help of dedicated volunteer team, to uncover the history of prominent but almost forgotten Essex women.

The project is being led by Essex County Council’s museum development officer Amy Cotterill, who obtained more than £95,000 in funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund to run work over two years.

She said: “Over decades of museum curation, usually led by men, much of the history of women has been consigned to the domestic - images of old fashioned irons and mangles spring to mind.

“This project seeks to change that, and delve through the archives to uncover the stories we don’t always get to see.

“There are some incredible stories out there that really deserve to be heard.”

The project was motivated by a succession of anniversaries celebrating victories for women, including the 1918 Representation of the People Act, 90 years since women were given the same rights to vote as men, and 50 years since the female workers at Ford’s Dagenham went on strike.

Researchers have also asked people to look closely at an image of a mother and baby clinic at the old Westcliff Institute taken in 1915, to check for familiar faces.

Anyone who recognises the faces can e-mail sarah.turnnidge@newsquest.co.uk or visit

www.snappingthestiletto.com to help with the project.