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Town's first female mayor celebrated 100 years on

Clare Worden
BBC News, Norfolk
BBC Supt Sonia Humphreys stands in front of a display board at the Stories of Lynn Museum. She has long blonde hair and wears a white top and black and white scarf. BBC
Contemporary west Norfolk women leaders like Supt Sonia Humphreys shared their stories for the exhibition about Florence Ada Coxon

Leading women have come together to celebrate the life of a town's first female mayor, 100 years after her appointment.

Florence Ada Coxon, known as Ada, became the mayor of King's Lynn, Norfolk, in November 1925, after previously being elected as a local councillor.

A display has opened at Stories of Lynn Museum, drawing parallels between Mrs Coxon's achievements and those of contemporary women leaders.

Among them are Jane Steen, the Bishop of King's Lynn, and the commander of RAF Marham, Group Captain Leonie Boyd.

Listen: The legacy of a King’s Lynn mayor 100 years on

The display has been organised ahead of International Women's Day, on 8 March.

Mrs Coxon's great-grandson, Tony Bellars, said her husband had also been Mayor of King's Lynn before her.

"She was a pioneering woman I think," he said.

"Her husband was a bit overbearing and it's believed she was beginning to feel a bit belittled.

"So she set out to prove anything you can do I can do a lot better. And she did."

King's Lynn borough archivist, Luke Shackell, said the role was not just ceremonial for Mrs Coxon.

"She really wanted to focus on increasing housing in the town to help the people," he said.

"She had a good impact on King's Lynn."

Archive image of Florence Ada Coxon from the 1920s dressed in her ceremonial robes and hat. To her right is her daughter who was her mayoral consort. They are in a line of men dressed in ceremonial gear. They are all dressed in long dark coats and big hats.
Florence Ada Coxon (fourth left) was elected to office at a time when civic roles were dominated by men

Mrs Coxon's legacy chimes with the contemporary female leaders who are profiled alongside her.

Gill Rejzl is the chair of governors at the College of West Anglia and Vice Chair of Freebridge Community Housing.

She said she was pleased to hear that Mrs Coxon had been accepted by others, despite being a woman in a role that had always previously been held by men.

"I was quite inspired to hear her story," she said.

"I've got huge admiration for her."

West Norfolk Police District Commander, Supt Sonia Humphreys, said it was humbling to be asked to share her own experiences as part of the display.

"Being a leader in an organisation that historically has been very underrepresented when it comes to women - it does place a bit of a burden on your shoulders," she said.

"We've all got our strengths but it's definitely important to be able to demonstrate that it's a job for all."

Since Mrs Coxon took up the role 100 years ago, 14 women have held the role of mayor in King's Lynn.

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