A BLUE plaque has been unveiled to honour an inspirational suffragist.

The commemorative plaque is a tribute to Katherine ‘Mina’ Courtauld – a renowned farmer and influential suffragist who was born in High Garrett in 1856.

She co-founded the Women’s Farm and Garden Organisation, which led to the creation of the Women’s Land Army in the First World War, and was secretary for the north-west Essex branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies.

The plaque was unveiled by Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst at the Courtauld Memorial Hall in Colne Engaine, where Katherine lived and farmed for 50 years.

She died in 1935.

District councillor George Courtauld also gave a speech about his ancestor.

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Braintree Council chairman Sue Wilson said: “Katherine remains a role model and is most deserving of this recognition, especially during the week of International Women’s Day.

“It was a privilege to attend and I hope that her story will inspire today’s generation, not least women and girls in our district and across the county.”

The Essex Women’s Commemoration Project was launched last year to celebrate the lives of women who deserve to be more widely recognised and put up plaques in their memory.

Spokesman Juliet Townsend said: “Katherine Courtauld is an inspiring figure.

“She employed women on her farm, and she ensured that they were trained and enabled to develop their skills.

“She remains a role model, standing up for herself and those around her with the grit and sassiness that defines the people of Essex.”

Council leader Graham Butland thanked Colne Engaine residents for funding the plaque.