Revealed: The British women our girls look up to…
Britons have named Dame Kelly Holmes as the country's greatest female role model in a new poll, edging out heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. Holmes, who rose from working in a sweet shop and driving Army trucks to become a double Olympic champion, won gold in the 800m and 1,500m at the 2004 Athens Olympics and still holds British records over 600m and 1,000m. The poll, commissioned by British Gas, highlights ongoing concerns about the visibility of women in sport, with 65% of adults saying women deserve greater recognition and 66% of parents feeling children's media does not sufficiently portray ambitious, successful girls.
The survey of 2,000 people placed the Princess of Wales third, followed by actress Emma Watson and singer Adele, with footballers Jill Scott and Alex Scott, activist Katie Piper and former Paralympian Ellie Simmonds also cited as inspiring figures. The findings coincide with the launch of a new illustrated children's book, The Things' Football Adventures, part of British Gas's partnership with WSL Football, featuring a foreword by Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott. Some 92% of respondents believe seeing female footballers represented in books, television or media could encourage more girls to take up sport.
- Dame Kelly Holmes voted Britain's top female role model in new poll
- 66% of parents say children's media underrepresents ambitious girls
- Poll launches new WSL Football children's book featuring Jill Scott
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Role models are people whose achievements or public lives inspire others. Dame Kelly Holmes is a former middle-distance runner who won Olympic gold in both the 800 metres and 1,500 metres at the Athens Games in 2004. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a former heptathlete, an event that combines seven athletics disciplines, and won Olympic gold at London 2012.
Women in sport have often received less media attention than men, prompting calls for their achievements to be more visible. Jill Scott, who played for England when the team won the Women’s European Championship in 2022, is among the other sports figures named in the poll. Seeing women athletes in books and television may help introduce girls to sport and give them examples of what they can achieve.