To mark International Women’s Day, we are celebrating 15 inspirational women with strong links to Blackpool, Fleetwood, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Annes.
The list includes trailblazing figures such as Olympic gold medallist Lucy Morton and boxing pioneer Jane Couch, alongside well-known names from television, music and entertainment including Jenna Coleman, Zoe Ball and Little Boots.
It also recognises women who have helped shape the area itself, from tourism leaders and business figures to community champions whose work continues to influence the Fylde coast today.
Here are 15 women from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast whose achievements continue to inspire:
Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone
1. Jenna Coleman
Born and raised in Blackpool, Jenna Coleman became one of Britain’s most successful television actresses. She gained international fame starring in Doctor Who and later portraying Queen Victoria in ITV’s drama Victoria, building a major career in both British and international television. | Matt McNulty/Getty Images
2. Jean Robinson CBE
Jean Robinson made history in 1968 when she became Blackpool’s first female mayor. A respected local councillor and civic leader, she devoted decades to public service and helped pave the way for greater female representation in local government. | Contributed
3. Jane Couch
Fleetwood-born Jane Couch is a trailblazer in women’s boxing. A former world champion, she fought a landmark legal battle against the British Boxing Board of Control in the 1990s that helped overturn the ban on women boxing professionally in the UK. | Getty Images/ John Gichigi / Allsport
4. Doreen Lofthouse OBE
Businesswoman and philanthropist Doreen Lofthouse led the family company behind Fisherman's Friend lozenges. Based in Lytham St Annes, she became known for her generosity, supporting local heritage projects, arts initiatives and community charities across the Fylde coast. | BEG
5. Lucy Morton
Born in Blackpool, Lucy Morton became one of Britain’s greatest early swimmers. She won Olympic gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, becoming the first British woman to win an individual Olympic swimming title. | Blackpool Council
6. Amanda Thompson OBE
Managing director of the iconic Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson has helped shape modern tourism in the resort. She has overseen major investment and innovation at the attraction and was awarded an OBE for services to the tourism industry. | Contributed