In 1968 in a matter of weeks three Hull trawlers went down with a loss of 58 lives, and just one survivor. The Headscarf Heroines were four local women who fought successfully to expose and improve working conditions in the deep sea fishing industry.
We've lots of statues in our City
Sovereigns, dignitaries and such
But for the common working man
None that really did so very much.
We've our Headscarf Revolutionaries
Working women, Mothers and wives
Who by their sacrifice and effort
Saved many thousands of lives.
Who, against all odds
Fought their selfless fight,
Made the country aware
Of the fishermen's plight.
Now our fishing is gone,
New generations grown,
The price that was paid
Become less well known.
These heroes of our city
To our culture's shame
As the generations pass
Will become just names:
Where are their statues,
They who did so much more
Than so many of those recognised
From Centuries before.
Their statues could stand
Where they started their fight
On the lock gates by the Bullnose
Where they surely earned that right.
Or maybe at the Boulevard with
The lists of fishermen lost at sea
A very fitting place for statues of
Our Headscarf Revolutionaries to be.
As the Lord Line building crumbles
And more of our heritage is lost
Perhaps we need reminder that
Prosperity comes always at a cost.
