Inspire Me!

This week's Inspire Me! is dedicated to English reformer, Elizabeth Fry.

Born in 1780, Elizabeth spent most of her adult life focusing on prison reform and the plight of the poor and sick. She and her husband also had 11 children to raise, feed and clothe.

Clearly, a woman of incomparable energy, passion and determination, Elizabeth refused to stand by and do nothing about England's prisons after visiting Newgate prison in 1813. Appalled by the condition of the cells and the treatment of prisoners, Elizabeth made it her life's work to insist on change - her efforts eventually supported by Queen Victoria and prime minister, Robert Peel.

The main focus of her work was on female prisoners and the children they had no choice but to imprison with them. Elizabeth help found the Association for the Reformation of Female Prisoners in Newgate, which meant the women could learn to sew and knit and, hopefully, earn a living when they were released.

Over her time working and campaigning, Elizabeth also visited more than a hundred transportation ships and 12,000 convicts - she ultimately ensured that each women and child received their fair share of food and water, had the mean to sew and make things to sell once they reached their destinations.

A truly phenomenal woman who achieved change that had been collectively ignored by the public and government until she stepped forward.

Rachel x